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During the reign of the Emperor Severus ( 193 – 211 ), relations with the young Christian Church deteriorated, and in 202 or 203 the edict of persecution appeared which forbade conversion to Christianity under the severest penalties.
( Ref Opus cit Butler ) A certain Proclus ( or Proculus ), who had confessed the faith before the prosecutors and underwent torments in defence of it, subsequently was seduced into heresy by Asclepiodotus and Theodotus the banker, both disciples of Theodotus the Tanner, whom Victor, Zephyrinus's predecessor in the Chair of Peter, had excommunicated for reviving the heresy of Ebion that affirmed that Christ was only a mere man, though a prophet.
These two heretics persuaded Natalis to allow them to ordain him a bishop in their sect promising in return that they would provide him with a monthly stipend of 150 silver denarii ( approximately three pounds sterling ).
But God having compassion on his confessor warned him by several visions to abandon these heretics.
At last, he was whipped a whole night by an angel.
The next day he donned sackcloth and ashes, and weeping bitterly threw himself at the feet of Zephyrinus.
( Ref Butler ; Op.
cit.

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