The Vestals enjoyed the greatest respect in Rome, but for this they had to follow very strict rules. And the Romans carefully monitored their implementation. Fearing the wrath of the gods, they were ready at any moment to investigate possible violations of strict rules by the Vestals. And sometimes they could not justify themselves in any way except with the help of the goddess Vesta herself.
One day, the old Vestal Virgin Emilia, who served as superior over the others, entrusted the care of the sacred fire to an inexperienced young priestess who did not know all the intricacies of the service. And as a result of the young Vestal’s inability, the fire in Vesta’s hearth went out. The incident caused panic in Rome. Everyone was afraid that this happened because Emilia had violated her vow and that the old vestal had some kind of stain of shame unknown to people. We turned to the Supreme Pontiff to carry out an appropriate investigation. When the pontiff, the other priests and the rest of the Vestals gathered in the temple of Vesta, Emilia declared that she was innocent, but did not know how to prove her innocence. And then she turned to Vesta and said: “Vesta, guarding the city of the Romans, if it is true that I have fulfilled my duties piously and honestly for almost thirty years of service to you, if during this time I have kept my soul pure and my body intact, show yourself and come to my aid! Do not be indifferent to your priestess, do not let her die, the most unfortunate of mortals! But if I have committed any dishonor, then punish me, and save the city from my shame!” Immediately after this, Emilia tore her linen clothes, tore off a long bandage from them and threw it on the extinguished hearth. And a miracle happened. As soon as the cloth touched the long-cooled coals, in which there was not even a spark of fire, the coals immediately flared up, and the flame, breaking through the bandage, illuminated the temple. There was no longer any need for investigation, or cleansing, or kindling a new fire. Everyone praised the immaculate Emilia and the great goddess Vesta.
There was another case. One day a Roman accused the Vestal Virgin Tucia and even provided evidence of his accusation that looked very plausible. Tutsia could not justify herself. Then she turned to Vesta, begging for help. Then Tuccia asked the Supreme Pontiff, who was investigating the accusations against her, to go with her. The Pontiff agreed. And so the Vestal Virgin, together with the pontiff, accompanied by the entire city, went to the banks of the Tiber. She had a sieve in her hands. Tukia bent down to the river, collected water in a sieve and calmly carried it to the forum. When the crowd reached the forum, it turned out that not a single drop had flowed from the sieve. Everyone understood that Vesta herself had justified her priestess. Then they rushed to look for her false accuser, but they never found her.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru