Saint Who?
Saints Who Performed Great Miracles
Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
Martyrs († c. 250)Feast: July 27
In the Roman Martyrology for July 27, one finds the following entry: “At Ephesus, the birthday of the seven holy sleepers, Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, Denis, John, Serapion, and Constantine.” These young men, revered as martyrs under the Decian persecution, have an unusual story attributed to them by several sources, including Saint Jacob of Serugh, Saint Gregory of Tours, and the Golden Legend.
It is said that the seven youths were interrogated by Emperor Decius himself as he passed through their city of Ephesus. Given a short period to consider apostatizing, they gave their possessions to the poor and went into a cave to hide, pray, and prepare themselves for martyrdom. Their whereabouts were soon discovered, and they were sealed into the cave to die a slow death. Some sources, however, suggest that they were martyred elsewhere and merely buried in the cave.
About two hundred years later, according to a colorful account, a farmer decided to use the cave as a cattle stall. As he cleared the entrance, the young men woke up. The farmer fled in terror. Hungry after their long sleep, the men sent one member of the group to buy some food. The market folk were astounded to see such ancient coinage, and soon all seven sleepers appeared before the new Christian emperor. After telling their story and giving praise to God, they gave up their souls. However, it is more likely that only their relics were discovered at this time.
Loving Father, you shower gifts on your children
while they slumber; grant that we may awake
from this life to an eternity of joyful praise.
