The suffering of the holy martyr Seraphim

In the days of the terrible persecutions of the wicked Roman kings, many believers suffered for Christ in various torments. At this time in the village of Vindena, in the house of a woman Savina, who was from a noble family, lived a virgin Seraphim, a citizen of Antioch.

And Beryl sent his servants to the house of Sabina, to take the holy virgin Seraphim, and to bring her before him.

Pray for me too. I know that our Lord Jesus Christ will come soon and restore me, though I am not worthy of this.

The Blessed Savina did not dare to let the holy girl go with the wicked servants of the igimon, and went with her to the igimon herself.

And it came to pass at the end of three days, that Egemon commanded to set up a court in the place where the judgment was to be held, and he commanded the rulers of the city to bring Seraphim; and the wicked rulers took the holy virgin, and brought her to judgment.

O fierce dog of Asia, do not harm the holy virgin of God. You yourself will perish, for Christ our God is with us, and he will punish you and your wicked kings with eternal torments for the many sufferings you have devised for the servants of the living God.

I worship and worship the Almighty God, who made heaven and earth and everything in them. I am not worthy to worship them, for I am a Christian.

"Where is the temple of your Christ? What sacrifice do you offer Him?" Seraphim replied, "The sacrifice pleasing to Christ is that I keep my virginity pure and lead others to this feat with His help".

"Are you not the church of your God, as you say?" Seraphim replied, "Because I keep myself pure by the almighty help of my God, I am truly His church". Our scripture says, "You are the temple of the living God". (2 Corinthians 6:16) Hegemon asked, "But if you are raped and your virginity is violated, will you still be the church of your God?" Seraphim replied with the words of Scripture:

But when he heard this, he gave the Seraphim into the hands of two shameless young men from Egypt, and they stayed with her all night. These wicked young men took her and led her to a dark temple.

Thou that visitest and strengthenest the prisoner of thy apostle Paul, look upon me also, and be gracious unto thy humble servant, and deliver me from the wicked lusts of these young men: I beseech thee, let their eyes be darkened, and let them not touch thy servant that trusteth in thee, and let them not profane my flesh, which is sealed with thy holy seal.

And look upon thy servant Sabina, good Jesus, and strengthen her with thy power, lest the fierce enemy, the devil, prevail; for she also suffered much in my cause.

And it came to pass at the first hour of the night, when the wicked young men were about to commit their shameful deed, that there was a great earthquake, and all the inhabitants heard it, and the young men fell as though dead, and all their limbs were loosed.

And it came to pass in the morning, that the messengers of the king came to inquire of the young men, whether they had got their wish. And they came into the temple, and saw the holy virgin praying, and the young men lying as dead, and they had no power to stand or speak, but their eyes were open.

And she said, Behold, I see that thou art corrupt in heart, and that the devil is in thee, and that thou blasphemest; but I knew not the young men of whom thou hast spoken, neither did I know whether they were with me. And the chief said, Thou sayest, They have not spent the night with thee?

And the Seraphim said, My shepherd and my deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Seraphim said, Why speakest thou so many useless things? Tell me, by what sorcery hast thou caused these young men to relax? And the Seraphim said,

It is not for us Christians to learn witchcraft, but those whom you kill with your wicked witchcraft, our Lord and Lord of all, Jesus Christ, raises up when they cry out to Him for help.

If your Christ can overcome all sorcery, then call upon Him to restore these young men to their former physical strength. Then we can find out from them themselves what they did to you all night. I myself am almost sure that you have taken away their minds by some evil sorcery, so that they may not proclaim your uncleanness". Seraphim answered, "To the God whom I serve, all things are possible, and nothing is impossible for Him".

And now, let the young men speak, and let their tongue be in their mouths. And he said to the woman, Behold, I am a sorceress, and I know no sorcery. And I have brought my prayer to my God, and he answereth me, and to all that call upon him.

Do what thou wilt; but let the young men speak, that we may know whether thou hast kept thy virginity. And she said, I told thee, I know not sorcery; but I will pray to God, that he may be gracious unto me. And he said, Go, I pray thee, to the place where the young men lie, and pray for them to thy God.

I am not fit to go there, lest the others be deprived of the opportunity to see this miracle, and they think of me as if I were a witch, as you think of me for your unbelief. Rather, order the dead young men to be brought here.

And he lifted up his hands to heaven, and said, Lord God, thou art he that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; thou hast raised the dead by thy disciples, thou hast made the lepers clean, and the dumb speak, and the deaf hear: hear now thy servant, in whom I put my trust.

Do not despise my prayer, and do not turn away from me because of the unbelief of this wretched ruler, but grant healing to these young men, in the presence of all who are waiting for this miracle. Let the madman be ashamed who has stirred up persecution against those who believe in you in his rage. Lord, hasten to show your power, so that they may know that you are the only God who works miracles, and there is no one but you.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to stand on your feet. " Immediately the young men stood up and began to speak, and everyone was amazed.

And behold, a young man, fair as the sun, and bright as the sun, stood between us and the maid; and we were afraid, and trembled, and darkened, and fainted, because of the brightness of his brightness; and we were in this state from that hour until now. Judge now whether she is a sorceress, or whether her god is great.

"Explain to me, Seraphim, what trick you have used, and I will release you at once". Seraphim replied, "I hate the evil teaching, and all Christians can reject all sorcery and witchcraft, and no harm can come to them, provided they call on the name of their Lord".

"I see that you can do much with your sorcery, but I will tell you this: if you do not sacrifice to my gods, I will have your head cut off". Seraphim replied, "Do as you wish, but I will not sacrifice to your demons, and I will not do the will of Satan, your father, because I am a Christian.

And when she had said this, the goddess said to her, "Bring a sacrifice to the gods, lest you die in your torments". And the goddess said, "That is why I do not offer sacrifices to your demons, lest you die an eternal death".

"O foolish and insane one, obey the king's commandments, worship the immortal gods, and you will be free from torment and destruction". Seraphim replied, "You are insane and insane, because you deny the living and true God and worship demons, with whom you will perish.

And it came to pass, when he had spoken, that there arose a great earthquake, and a piece of the staff that they had struck the holy woman came out, and struck the right eye of the virgin, and she was blinded three days. And the anger of the Lord was kindled, and he commanded, and said, Let Serafim be put to death with the sword, who hath not only despised the king's commandments, but hath also committed great evils. And the head of the virgin was cut off.

The noble Savina, with great reverence, took her holy body, buried it with the honors due to such a virgin and martyr of Christ, and as a great treasure and precious pearl placed it in her new tomb, exalting Christ, the true God, with the Father and the Holy Spirit glorified forever. Amen.