Saint
Philopatir– Mercurious
Sunday,
November 19, 2006
Saint Philopatir– Mercurious
(Abu-Sefein)
25 Hatour/ 4 December
SaintMercurious, well known as the Saint with
the two swords, ‘Abu-Sefein’, was born in Rome. His
parents were good Christians and they called him Philopatir,
which means, ‘Lover of the Father’; they gave him a good Christian upbringing.
As a
youth, Saint Philopatir joined the army, and through
God’s grace, his strength and courage appeared to his commanders through his
good behaviour and pure life.
The war
became so fierce between the Roman Empire and the Barbarians that Emperor
Decius was in fear of conquer, so he delegated the leadership of the army to
the great saint, knowing how brave he was. He also knew of his pure spiritual
life through watching him in his prayers and worship every day before the Lord.
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Saint Mercurious in
the shape of a human being wearing white shining clothes, and he gave him a
sword saying, “Mercurious, servant of Jesus Christ, I
have been sent to help you deliver you to victory, take this sword from my hand
and fight the Barbarians with it, and when you win do not forget the Lord you
God.” As soon as he touched this sword together with his own, he felt great
power and was able to pass through the lines of the enemy’s army. He did not
leave them until he had divided all their lines and conquered them. Decius was
very pleased after winning the war and he had divided all their lines and
conquered them. Decius was very pleased after winning the war and he awarded
the saint medals, giving him a very high rank in the Roman army.
While
Saint Mercurious was bowing and praying, the
Archangel Micheal appeared to him informed him of the
persecution and torture which he was about to face because of his strong
faith. The Archangel also told him that he would be
martyred and that his name would be a blessing to the whole world.
After the
great victory, the Emperor invited all the statesmen to offer incense to their
idol-god, they supposed, had granted them this victory, and at the top of the
list was Saint Mercurious, but he did not attend the
celebration. Some of the people who were envious of him told the Emperor that
he did not attend; the Emperor called him and said to him “I have honoured you
and awarded you the highest position in the army, so why did you not come and
participate in thanking the gods?” The courageous saint took off the golden
garment and medals and threw them away saying, “I am Christian. Hear this
everyone; I am a Christian.” This was the beginning of the path of eternity and
the crown of martyrdom.
The
Emperor tried to make him yield by offering him many promises, but what on
earth could replace the love of Christ? The result was endless torture
including: being tied with shakes and hit with sharp nails; having his body cut
with sharp blades and burnt; being left in a dark jail where the Angel of the
Lord appeared to him and healed him; having flames burning on either side of
his body; being hanged upside down on a tree while having heavy rocks tied to his
neck; and being lashed with a whip which ended with pieces of iron so that they
would tear at his flesh.
When the
Emperor gave up, he ordered that he be beheaded at Cappaddocia,
for fear of the multitude who loved and supported the
famous saint. On his way, out Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him, have him peace
and promise him that he would receive the crown of everlasting life, it was a
great comfort after which he said to the swordsman, in joy and faith, “Do what
you have been ordered to do”, and so his holy head was cut off and he gained
the crown of martyrdom on the 25th day of Hatour,
corresponding the 4th day of December.
Many
miracles were performed out of his body and through his name, and until now,
miracles are still happening. May the blessing and the intercession of the
great martyr, Saint Philopatir-Mercurious “Abu-Sefein” be with us all. Amen.
