
Cassian fled to Imola where he soon took on another position of service and guidance. He became a teacher of young people so that he might have an impact upon their lives. He taught themthe subjects that they were expected to learn but he, also, taught them about life through his own life well-lived. Though it was not one of the assigned areas of study, Cassian could not help but give testimony to the Christian life through his every action and thought. That's the thing

Cassian taught his pupils many things but of particular note was a type of shorthand that allowed them to write as quickly as they could speak. For Cassian, it was important that his students be well-equipped for life. This speaks volumes about Cassian's character: he was not simply using his position as teacher to try to proselyte youth but, rather, he was teaching them out of an enduring love for them and a desire to see them prepared for life and well-educated. This kind of commitment is laudable--especially in consideration of Cassian's eventual demise.
Eventually, a local official found out about Cassian's past and seized the opportunity to increase his own standing with Julian. The official realized that he would be commended if he punished Cassian and, consequently, was willing to buy a little

As a means of execution, Cassian was stripped of his clothing and tied to a post with his arms behind his back. His students--non-Christians compelled by Imperial powers--were commanded to punish him. They started by breaking their slates over his head and continued by stabbing him repeatedly with their iron styli. Each stylus from each student drew a little blood and inflicted untold emotional damage upon Cassian as his former students whom he loved drew his blood and extinguished his life. Having been whipped into an ecstatic frenzy, the students and the crowd slowly bled Cassian to death. Cassian died having confessed his faith in word and deed and the Empire stamped out yet another life oblivious to the nature of the Gospel upon the lips of their victims.
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