Maurice was sceptical by nature, and this led him to investigate the supposed miracle that occurred each year at the shrine of St Euphemia in Chalcedon on the anniversary of her martyrdom. The incident was recorded thus by the chronicler Theophylact: The miracle was most incredible to those who have not witnessed it. For although the body has lain in the tomb for four hundred years or so already, on the aforesaid day [the anniversary of her martyrdom] the leader of the priestly church of those parts draws up with sponges founts of blood from the dead body … and distributes it to the throngs in
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