The Seven Sleepers

Posted in St. Aidan Community | Tagged - by Rebecca

Today is the Divine Liturgy of the 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. Saint 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 arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The 7 youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom. The Lord placed the youths into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two centuries. (oca.org)

HYMN OF PRAISE: THE SEVEN HOLY YOUTHS OF EPHESUS

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

When the last rays of the sun turned the west bloody red,

Seven Youths, to God prayed,

That, on the morrow again find themselves alive and healthy,

Before Emperor Decius, brought forth to torture.

And lay down to sleep a long dream, a deep dream,

Time walked by a wide step.

One morning, from the east, the sun dawned

And the Seven from their deep sleep awakened.

And Jamblichus the youngest, to Ephesus hurried

To see, to hear, about everything he inquired,

Does Decius, even them, seek to slaughter,

And bread to buy for the Seven of them.

But behold, what kind of miracle: this is not the gate!

And even the town is totally different!

Everywhere, beautiful churches, domes, crosses,

Jamblichus asks himself: are those not dreams?

Nowhere a familiar face, nowhere kinsmen,

There are no persecutions; there are no martyrs.

“Tell me brethren, the name of this town,

And tell me the name of the emperor, who now reigns?”

Thus Jamblichus inquires. The people, at him, look,

And about him, everyone judges differently.

“This town is Ephesus, now and before,

In Christ, reigns Emperor Theodosius.”

This Antipater [The Consul] heard and [Martin] the graying bishop,

The entire town was perplexed,

Everyone, to the cave hurries.

And saw the miracle, glorified God,

And the resurrected servants of Christ the Resurrected One.