St Thomas and the Lion

Constantinople 1453

It would not be long now. Soon the Turks would breech the walls. But not today. There would still be work to be done. There were still souls to be saved. He looked about his little chapel. The widows in black. The orphans. The scared, the lost

No, he would give them a message of hope. They would sleep well tonight. He preached about St Thomas in India he spoke about Prester Jon. God would forgive him.

After the service the old women begged leave to pray to St Thomas

What harm could it do? He retired

 On the battlements of the wall looking at the sea. The sentries scanned the sea

Sails

They got word to the Emperor

He insisted on seeing it for himself

The ships were near now

He could make them out, galleys and transports a hundred at least

There was no more hope 

It was now

The light of Rome would be extinguished

 The Emperor gave grim orders a man soiled himself. Women wept

Then someone spoke

Is that the Alpha and Omega on the sails?

What

They looked on with wonder and terror hand in hand

They could see crosses

They saw men with shaved heads  and plain robes. In the sky flew silken Banners of a dark skinned woman with a child.

The ships came close

Krystas Krystas...

The Turks were moving.

There ships were moving towards the strange fleet

Then the fighting started...

They watched

The dark skinned men on the ships fought like lions . They threw themselves on the Turkish swords . The Turkish ships were driven to shore. The strange fleet were pursuing landing. At Europe and across the Bosporus. Men, with swords and bow. Horses now. It was a rout. Still the shout Krystas still the image of a dark skinned woman with babe

The Emperor ordered his men to hold.

The Turks were dying

A Man approached the wall. Took of his helmet and shouted

 I am Singh of  the House of Jon, the Virgin appeared to our King on Holy innocents day and begged us save the Christian city