|
Commemorated on May 20
The Holy Martyr
Askalon was a Christian, born in the city of Great Hermopolis (Middle
Egypt). The saint suffered in the III Century under Diocletian (284-305).
Brought before the governor Arrian, Saint Askalon boldly confessed his faith
and refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. And the saint predicted to
Arrian, that there would come an hour, when he himself would be forced to call
Jesus Christ as the One True God. By order of Arrian, they began to torture the
saint cruelly, they suspended him and tore at him with iron instruments, such
that pieces of his flesh fell to the ground. Saint Askalon quietly endured the
torments. When one of those present, going up to him said: "See, he is
already unconsciousness and near to death", – the holy martyr answered,
– "I have not lost consciousness and unceasingly I do glorify my God and
Saviour".
The governor Arrian
gave orders to convey the martyr to the city of Antineia, located on the
opposite bank of the Nile, for a continuation of the tortures, whither he
himself soon intended to go. But the martyr turned with prayer to God,
beseeching Him to hold back the boat of Arrian until such time, that he confess
the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ before all the people. And thus the boat of
Arrian suddenly halted in the middle of the river and even oars could not move
it from this spot. Arrian ascribed the miracle to the working of a magic spell
by Askalon. In drawing up the sentencing of the saint the governor happened to
dictate the confession of One True God, and then the boat sailed on to shore.
Going into the city, Arrian again gave orders to suspend Saint Askalon and
scorch at him with fire, after which he gave orders to drown him in the deep
river. The martyr said to the Christians accompanying him: "Strive,
brethren, to receive the rewards of the Lord God. On three days hence, my
children, come to the north part of the city and there find my body. Bury it
together with a stone attached to it". The death of the Martyr Askalon
occurred in about the year 287, not far from the city of Antineia. On the third
day Christians found the body of the martyr and in accord with his last wishes
buried it reverently together with a stone.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
|
Close window |