[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Sat Aug 4 05:00:14 CDT 2007

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sat Aug 4 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Romans 15:30-33
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through
the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to
God for me,
31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and
that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be
refreshed together with you.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 2

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Matthew 17:24-18:4
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax
came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"
25 He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the
kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from
strangers?"
26 Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the
sons are free.
27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook,
and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its
mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them
for Me and you.
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of
them,
3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and
become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of
heaven.
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture Reading 2 of 2

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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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7 Holy Youths "Seven Sleepers" of Ephesus
The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John,
Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the
third century. St Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city
administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious
citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all
were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by
informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing
before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change
their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled
from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed
their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
The youngest of them, St Iamblicus, dressed as a beggar and went into
the city to buy bread. On one of his excursions into the city, he
heard that the emperor had returned and was looking for them. St
Maximilian urged his companions to come out of the cave and present
themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the youths into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meantime, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied that there would be a general
resurrection of the dead at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Some of them said, "How can there be a resurrection of the
dead when there will be neither soul nor body, since they are
disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The souls alone will have a
restoration, since it would be impossible for bodies to arise and live
after a thousand years, when even their dust would not remain."
Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the Resurrection of the
Dead and of the future life through His seven saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had passed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, the youth
was astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained, as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the young man, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop found the sealed container and
opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the saints alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was demonstrating to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the young
men in the cave. Then the holy youths, in sight of everyone, lay their
heads upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the
General Resurrection.
The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a jeweled coffin,
but they appeared to him in a dream and said that their bodies were to
be left upon the ground in the cave. In the twelfth century the
Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics of the seven youths
in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian PROLOGUE
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep for the second time on this
day. The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they first fell asleep on
August 4, and woke up on October 22.
There is a prayer of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the GREAT BOOK
OF NEEDS (Trebnik) for those who are ill and cannot sleep. The Seven
Sleepers are also mentioned in the service for the Church New Year,
September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St Maximilian, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St Maximilian, one of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, was the son of
the city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of
illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from
childhood, and all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St Iamblicus, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St Iamblicus and the other six youths were sons of illustrious
citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from childhood, and
all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St Martinian, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St Martinian and the other six youths were sons of illustrious
citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from childhood, and
all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St John, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St John and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of
Ephesus. The young men were friends from childhood, and all were in
military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St Dionysius, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St Dionysius and the other six youths were sons of illustrious
citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from childhood, and
all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
_________________________________________________________________
St Exacustodian (Constantine), one of the Holy Seven Youths
of Ephesus
St Exacustodian (Constantine) and the other six youths were sons of
illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from
childhood, and all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
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St Antoninus, one of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
St Antoninus and the other six youths were sons of illustrious
citizens of Ephesus. The young men were friends from childhood, and
all were in military service together.
When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all
the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death
awaited those who disobeyed. Denounced by those currying the emperor's
favor, the seven youths of Ephesus were summoned to reply to the
charges. Appearing before the emperor, the saints confessed their
faith in Christ.
Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius
allowed them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their
minds while he was off on a military campaign. The young men fled from
the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their
time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.
Hearing that the emperor had returned and sought them to bring them to
trial, St Maximilian exhorted his companions to come out of the cave
and present themselves for trial.
Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the
entrance of the cave to be sealed with stones so that the saints would
perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked
entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the
memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container
containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the
seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.
The Lord placed the saints into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two
centuries. In the meanwhile, the persecutions against Christians had
ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger
(408-450) there were heretics who denied the resurrection of the dead
at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, "How
can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither
soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?" Others affirmed, "The
souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for
bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust
would not remain." Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven
saints.
The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered
the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the
cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their
sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had elapsed. Their bodies
and clothing were completely undecayed.
Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked St Iamblicus
to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, he was
astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus
Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his
own city.
When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the
image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained as someone who
might be concealing a horde of old money. They took St Iamblicus to
the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus.
Hearing the bewildering answers of the youth, the bishop perceived
that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with
other people to the cave.
At the entrance to the cave the bishop took out the sealed container
and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven
youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the
emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the youths alive,
everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from
their long sleep, was disclosing to the Church the mystery of the
Resurrection of the Dead.
Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the youths
in the cave. Then the saints, in sight of everyone, lay their heads
upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General
Resurrection. The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a
jeweled coffin, but appearing to him in a dream, the holy youths said
that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the
twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics
of the seven youths in the cave.
There is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22.
According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue
(of Saints' Lives), the youths fell asleep a second time on this day.
The Greek MENAION of 1870 says that they fell asleep first on August
4, and woke up on October 22. The holy youths are mentioned also in
the service of the Church New Year, September 1.
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Martyr Eudokia of Persia
The Holy Martyr Eudokia was a native of Anatolia, living in the fourth
century. The army of the Persian emperor Sapor took her into captivity
with 9,000 Christians. Since she knew the Holy Scriptures well, she
instructed the prisoners. The saint also preached to the Persian women
and converted many of them to Christianity. For this she was subjected
to lengthy and fierce tortures and then beheaded.
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Martyr Eleutherius of Constantinople
The Holy Martyr Eleutherius served as the cubicularius (chamberlain)
at the court of the emperor Maximian Hercules (284-305). When he
accepted Christianity, he then settled on a country estate, and built
a church at his home. One of the servants reported to the emperor that
Eleutherius had become a Christian. The emperor ordered the saint to
offer pagan sacrifice. The saint refused and for this he was beheaded.
The relics of St Eleutherius were at Constantinople, and afterwards
transferred to Italy, to the city of Theato.
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