E06968: The 'epic' Greek Martyrdom of *Rouphos, Philemon, Antipatros, Magnos, Theodotos, Theostychos, Artemas, Thaumasios, and Theognis (Martyrs of Cyzicus, S02638) recounts their arrest, interrogation, imprisonment and beheading by the sword. As soon as the martyrs’ bodies are buried by a pious man, they begin performing healing miracles. Possibly written in Cyzicus (north-west Asia Minor) in the 7th century or later.

Martyrdom of Rouphos, Philemon, Antipatros, Magnos, Theodotos, Theostychos, Artemas, Thaumasios, and Theognis, martyrs of Cyzicus (BHG 2386)

Summary:

§ 1: During the pagan persecutions, nine Christian men are apprehended and brought before the governor (of Cyzicus). They categorically refuse to obey the governor’s order and sacrifice to the pagan gods.

§ 2: He then sentences them to harsh torture. While the Christian men endure the corporal punishment boldly and feel no pain, the executioners become exhausted from the whole procedure. Thereupon, the governor commits the nine men to a dark prison, where they start chanting psalms to God.

§ 3: Seven days later, the imprisoned men are ordered to be brought before the court. During their interrogation, they make it clear that they prefer to die for Christ, rather than sacrifice to the pagan idols. The governor, enraged at their intransigence, decides on their beheading by the sword, which takes place on 4 April. A pious man, who heard about their death, bribes the guards with three hundred miliaresia to give him the bodies of the martyrs in order to bury them properly. Many healing miracles then start happening at the place.

§ 4: A devout man, who had paralysis in his arms (μηδόλως τὰς χεῖρας κινῆσαι δυνάμενος, § 4.47), resorts to the shrine of the saints and begin imploring them over their grave to heal him. As his persistent prayers are not answered, he seats himself on the tomb of the saints (ἀνακαθίσας τίθησιν ἑαυτὸν ἐπάνω τῆς σοροῦ τῶν ἁγίων, § 4.50) and intensifies his orisons, wet with tears. At some point, he falls asleep and has the following dream: The saints head towards him and anoint his whole body with oil. Then they hold his hands and announce to him that he is now healed. When he awakes, he praises God who through the intercession of the saints offered him salvation.

§ 5: Another (unnamed) man of noble rank becomes seriously ill and suffers from intense fever (πυρετὸς […] σφοδρός, § 5.57-58) along with constipation or an entire intestinal obstruction (ἔμφραξιν and δυσεντερίαν, § 5.58; cf. Lackner 1973: 40, n. 27, 48, n. 73 and 74). He visits the sanctuary of the saints to pray for his healing. The saints, who hear his prayers and solicitations, heal him in a dream. The next day, he leaves the shrine and proclaims the miracle everywhere. Many other paralysed, sick or possessed people also experience healing miracles at the grave of the martyrs.

Text: Lackner 1973: 45-48.
Summary: C. Papavarnavas.