On the 9th of March we celebrate the feast of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste. And who are these Martyrs? Good question… because the truth is, I don’t know!
Or, at least, I didn’t until it came time to write this week’s article. So here we go! Some true research from the depths.
When the great Constantine legalized Christianity, he only had power over half the empire. The other half was under the rule of Licinius, who responded to Constantine’s edict with a promise to wipe out Christians.
The purge was to begin from within the military. And so the military commanders, including one Agricola, commanded all soldiers under their command to make a pagan sacrifice. And most obliged – though not forty of the Cappadocian soldiers, who were Christian. These men prayed together that would be able to hold fast to the faith, and to remain 40 in number. These forty soldiers endured several chances to repent. A tradition holds that during this time they prayed that they would still number forty by the time their sufferings were through.
Licinius arrived to judge them, and they were first sentenced to death by stoning. But all stones thrown at the 40 were flung back at those who had thrown them! Their military commander, Agricola, was injured by one of these returning stones.
The 40 Marytrs
Then the martyrs were sentenced to a more gruesome death – standing in a freezing lake through the winter night. With guards keeping watch to prevent their leaving the water. This ordeal was not without suffering for the martyrs. There was a warm boathouse nearby to tempt them to reversion, and one of the original forty left in the first hour of the night to run towards to bathhouse. But no sooner had he started running then he fell down, dead. And then there were 39…
Only one of the guards was made to keep watch at a time through the night. This guard, named Aglaius, witnessed the weakness of the one soldier. However, during the third hour of the night he witnessed something more spectacular – God sent a consolation to those standing in the freezing water. The ice melted away, and the water by the 39 men became warm. Then, a radiant crown appeared over each martyr. 39 in all.
Aglaius recognized the faith of the 39, and desired to join their number to become the 40th martyr. So he took off his uniform, woke the other guards to inform them that he decided to become a Christian, and joined the other men in the lake.
And again they were 40!
The Last Enemy
In the morning, (surprise pagans!) the 40 are all still alive and giving praise to God. This time, the soldier’s legs were broken and they were condemned to the flames. Here they finally breathed their last.
Their remains were scattered in the river, though Christians came and collected and preserved what they could.
Prayers and Tropars
Troparion: (tone 1)
Be swayed by the pains that the saints suffered for you, O Christ our God, and heal our pains. O Lover of Mankind, for this we pray.
Kontakion: (tone 6)
Leaving behind all earthly armies, you cleaved to the Master in heaven, O Forty passion-bearers of the Lord. For passing through water and fire, you rightly received glory from heaven, and a myriad of crowns, O blessed saints.
Prokeimenon: (tone 5)
You O Lord will guard us, and will keep us, from this generation, and forever.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man.
Celebrating the 40 Martyrs
Wow! What an incredible story of martyrdom! Perhaps the fact that they were soldiers helped prepare them to endure such horrifying conditions.
One way to celebrate these martyrs is to endure the elements. Take a cold shower today, and remember the 40 soldiers standing in the icy water. If it is hot outside, don’t run the air conditioning (or just keep the temperature a bit above comfortable if you can do so safely) and remember these men as they received the 40 crowns from Christ.
Though we may not all be called to a Martyrs death, consider the extra ways you can die to yourself for Christ today. Particularly consider the ways you can grow in humility, and respond to the Great things God is asking of you in your life. Remember Galatians 20:22:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Finally, wear red in remembrance of the Martyrs. Pray the Tropars and Kontakion of today, and go to church if you are able.
The Byzantine Life
Thank you for checking out this week’s article. If you haven’t already, you can read about the feast of the annunciation, coming up on March 25th. Our some of out Great Lent articles including our organizing through Lent and Great Lent Traditions.
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