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Holy Seven Martyrs of Ephesus commemorated by Serbian Orthodox Church
The Serbian Orthodox Church is observing the feast day of the Holy Seven Martyrs of Ephesus. The religious commemoration honors a legend involving seven young soldiers from the ancient city of Ephesus, located in modern-day Turkey.
According to tradition, during the Roman persecutions under Emperor Decius around 250 AD, the youths—Maximilian, Jamvlih, Martinian, Jovan, Dionysius, Ekzakustodijan, and Antonin—refused to offer sacrifices to pagan gods. They sought refuge in a cave near Mount Ohlon, where the cave was subsequently walled up by order of the Emperor.
Christian tradition holds that the youths did not die but were placed into a miraculous sleep by God, lasting over 200 years. They eventually awoke during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II, finding that Christianity had become the dominant religion of the empire. Their emergence served as a perceived sign of the resurrection of the dead.
Entities
Danilo Kis · Decius · Ephesus · Serbian Orthodox Church · Theodosius II
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The youths did not die but fell into a deep sleep that lasted over 200 years. www.espreso.co.rs · www.kurir.rs · mondo.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] Upon waking, the youths appeared as healthy and young as they were two centuries prior. www.espreso.co.rs · www.kurir.rs · mondo.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The seven youths awoke during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. www.espreso.co.rs · www.kurir.rs · mondo.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast day of the Holy Seven Martyrs of Ephesus today. www.espreso.co.rs · www.kurir.rs · mondo.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] Seven young soldiers from Ephesus refused to sacrifice to pagan gods and hid in a cave near Mount Ohlon. www.espreso.co.rs · www.kurir.rs · mondo.rs