My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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ON THE 16TH OF SEPTEMBER, THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FAR-FAMED EPHEMIA THE GREAT MARTYR
Ephemia, the all-praised and Great Martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of the Roman pagan emperor Diocletians (284-305 A.D.). The holy maiden hailed from the city of Chalcedon of Bithynia on the Bosporus. Her father was the celebrated and wealthy Senator Philophron. Her mother was Theodosiane, conspicuous for her piety and sympathy for the poor. From this root, it did not take long for the goodly scion, Ephemia, to establish a well-known and profound piety and faith in Christ.
During the years of the pagan emperor Diocletian, a dire persecution against the Christians of Anatolia, Priscos was governor. His assessor, a certain philosopher named Apelianos, was a pagan priest of the falsely-named deity Ares. When the festival of their god approached, a decree was sent everywhere, proclaiming that all those of the district of Chalcedon were invited to the feast of Ares. Any who declined or opposed this edict would be put to a bitter death.
Thereupon, the pious among the Christian Community gathered into groups and companies. Some immured themselves in their homes, whereas others chose to flee into the wilderness. In isolation, they would worship the True God with prayers and entreaties.
Among the ranks of the staunch faithful was one group of ardent and steadfast Christians, numbering forty-nine, led by the Glorious Ephemia. Ephemia, having been highly educated, especially in Sacred Scripture, and being admired for her wisdom, meekness, and modesty, had disciples under her tutelage. On the day of the feast, Apellianos was incited by the governor to collect multitudes of Christians. In the process, the virgin Ephemia and her companions were apprehended. Ephemia, in the bloom of youth, distinguished for her comely appearance, nobility, and virtue, shone brightly in the crowd as a radiant and prominent star of the True God.
Ephemia and her group of Christians were then made to stand before the pagan governor, who, speaking to them mildly, said, "I, beholding your sagacity, hope that you will sacrifice unto the great Ares. If you do not make an offering, then instead of glory, honor and life, a bitter and grievous death awaits you."
In reply, those holy ones answered with much daring and courage: "Waste not thy words, O Governor, for it would be a great shame for us, as rational beings, to forsake the true God and fall down before senseless and mindless idols of thy gods. The true God, by His Logos/Word, made the heaven, the earth, and all that is therein. Moreover, know that regarding the punishments by which thou dost seek to terrify us, we only fear that they may be light and insufficient for a perfect martyrdom. Therefore, put us to the test, and then thou wilt behold the power of our God."
Those holy ones then rejoiced when they received stripe upon stripe, and pain upon pain. Then, on the twentieth day, the tyrant had been brought before him again. Though all were glorious, the undefeated Ephemia shone most radiantly in their midst. The tyrant then addressed them addressed them, saying, "O people, now that you have seen the beginning of your misfortune, be persuaded and sacrifice to the gods!!"
That valiant group, together with Saint Ephemia, replied, "O judge, be not deceived, it is impossible for us to hearken unto thee and sacrifice to senseless idols." The governor rekindled his anger and ordered them all to be beaten. The governor's servants rained down so many blows that, from too much exertion, the servants fell to the ground as though half-dead. God then glorified His servants, whose countenance were wondrously brilliant.
According to Apellianos' advice, the judge then decided to imprison the forty-nine Christians until he sent them to emperor Diocletian. However, the holy maiden was summoned to appear before him. He made many promises to her in the hope of leading her astray. However, the Saint responded, "The power of my Christ is unconquerable. Therefore, do not take confidence because thou dost see a woman and think thou wilt overcome me." Enraged, the tyrant commanded that she be placed on the wheel of torture, which would be turned violently.
This evil device shattered the martyr's limbs, disarticulating the joints. Yet her mind and love never withdrew from Christ. She raised her eyes to the heavens and said, "My Lord Jesus Christ, the Fountain of Life, Who helps those that hope in Thee, help me also now. Let it be known to all here that Thou alone art God Who does not desire to visit evil upon any, nor inflict scourges upon those that take refuge in Thy Tabernacle." This is how the Martyr began her prayer, but God completed it.
Straightway, in a moment, Heavenly power descended and released Ephemia from the wheel. Her bodily members were completely restored, so not even a trace of her injuries could be seen. All the minions of lawlessness remained motionless. As the Martyr withdrew from the wheel, walking healthy and unharmed, her countenance shone brightly.
However, as the crab cannot crawl straight ahead, so the vile Priscus, after beholding such an extraordinary miracle, benighted by his gods, not only refused to acknowledge the Truth, but also threatened to burn the righteous maiden alive.
As they prepared to cast the holy maiden inside, two servants, Sosthenes and Victor, who were standing by, went to Priscus, saying, "Indeed, we, as thou dost see, are ready to carry out thy commands. However, we are unable to approach her virginal body, for we beheld men of fearful aspect standing threatening by her side. They are prepared to scatter the fire and preserve her unscathed."
Upon hearing them, Priscus ordered the jailing of Sosthenes and Victor, since he perceived they had gone over to Christ. As the two men were led away, the Saint Prayed, "O God Who dwellest on high and dost oversee and guard the humble, aid us as thou one didst the Three Children in Babylon who were cast within the flames for Thy Law; but by Thy holy Angel, they suffered not evil (Daniel 3:15-30); for Thou didst bedew them from above. Do not also stand by and help me, who struggle on behalf of Thy Glory, O Christ."
After she made this entreaty, the governor dispatched two of his wicked servants, Caesar and Varios, to fling into the blazing furnace. Thereupon, they cast the maiden inside the furnace. The flames seethed those that cast Ephemia into it. Meanwhile, the victorious and prized-bearing Ephemia continued praying as though she were in dewy and placid surroundings. The Saint then exited the furnace unharmed.
Then the idolaters released four lions and three bears, which rushed upon the righteous maiden. Coming up to Saint Ephemia, with an almost human-like reverence, they kissed the feet of the Saint. Then one of the bears bit the Saint in one part of her body, though no trace of a wound appeared. Yet, this would be the means by which the holy Martyr departed t her beloved God. It was the 16th of September, 303 A.D.
A voice was then heard from above calling Saint Ephemia to the Divine Courts, saying, "Ascend to the Bestower of crowns to receive the rewards and gifts of thy labors, for the good fight has been fought, and the course completed." Accompanying that bodiless voice came an earthquake of great magnitude which shook the city as leaves upon trees. All the inhabitants were gripped with fear, causing everyone to flee as they were able.
As the proper opportunity, the Saint's parents took up her holy martyric and precious relics and buried her with their own hands nearby Chalcedon. Now they did not weep, as they interred her honorably and piously. Much rather, they rejoiced and were glad, since they were counted worthy to be named the parents of such a child, whom they offered unto God as their most blessed and sacred fruit over any other offering or gift. Therefore, to God is due all glory, honor, and worship, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The first church to be built in Constantinople after the Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337 A.D.) came to power was dedicated to Saint Ephemia and was built in the Phanar are of the Capital City. In 328 A.D., a large church was built to honor this Saint on the same site where a temple to the pagan goddess Artemis once was dedicated. During the reign of the Christian Emperor Herakleios (610-641 A.D.), the Saint's holy relics were translated from Chalcedon to Constantinople.
After one hundred and fifty years, in 451 A.D., at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod, the Council members turned to the holy relics of Saint Ephemia to reveal true Orthodox doctrine. The commemoration of this miraculous manifestation is celebrated by the Church on the 11th day of July. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George