Martyr Maximilian of Ephesus

Martyr Maximilian was the eldest and leader of a group of seven youths from noble Ephesian families (Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, Dionysius, Antoninus, Exacustodianus [Constantine], and John), who refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods when Emperor Decius (r. 249–251) visited Ephesus during the persecution of Christians he had launched.

As the son of the city's governor, Maximilian, according to tradition, inspired his companions to steadfast confession of the faith. Decius, stripping the youths of their military rank, gave them time to reconsider while he departed on campaign; the young men withdrew to pray in a cave on Mount Ochlon near Ephesus, from where the youngest of them, Iamblichus, secretly went into the city disguised as a beggar to buy bread.

Learning that Decius intended to try them upon his return, the youths committed themselves into God's hands; the emperor, unwilling to order a direct execution, instead had the cave's entrance sealed with stones, condemning the prisoners to death by starvation without bloodshed. Tradition holds that the young men miraculously fell asleep at that moment.

About two centuries later, under Emperor Theodosius II (5th c.), the cave was accidentally reopened by workers, and the youths awoke believing they had slept only one night; their miraculous appearance served as living proof of the truth of bodily resurrection against heretics of the time who denied it, after which they soon peacefully reposed.

Their feast is kept on August 4/17, and also on October 22/November 4.