Synaxis of saints
Synaxis Seven Youths (Sleepers) of Ephesus
III век — сон 250-408 гг.
Also known as: Максимилиан, Иамвлих, Мартиниан, Иоанн, Дионисий, Ексакустодиан (Константин) и Антонин Ефесские
The holy Seven Youths of Ephesus — Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine), and Antoninus — noble young men in military service in Ephesus who, during the persecution of Emperor Decius (249-251), hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they were walled in alive by the emperor's order; they miraculously fell into a supernatural sleep and awoke almost 200 years later, under Emperor Theodosius II (408-450), bearing witness before their contemporaries to the truth of the universal resurrection of the dead.
The Seven Youths of Ephesus — Maximilian (son of the mayor of Ephesus), Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (baptized Constantine), and Antoninus — were noble young men in military service, bound by friendship since childhood. When Emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus and commanded all inhabitants to appear and offer sacrifice to pagan gods on pain of torture and execution, the seven friends refused to take part in idol worship. The youngest of them, St. Iamblichus, disguising himself in beggar's rags, went into the city to buy bread and heard that the emperor had returned and was seeking them for trial. The young men hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon near Ephesus. Learning of their refuge, Decius ordered the entrance to the cave sealed with stones, so that the youths would perish from hunger and thirst. By God's will, the young men fell into a miraculous sleep. Almost two centuries later, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II (408-450), when disputes arose in the Church over the truth of the universal resurrection of the dead, the youths miraculously awoke and emerged from the cave, unaware of the time that had passed. Their appearance became living testimony to the truth of the resurrection and a comfort to those wavering in faith. Soon after this testimony, the holy youths peacefully reposed once more. Their memory is kept on August 4/17 and October 22/November 4.