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الرسالة: [QUOTE="karas karas, post: 3868986, member: 135263"] [IMG]https://i.postimg.cc/13k6rqfP/N26179c.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]https://i.postimg.cc/wjCJQm7g/images.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]https://i.postimg.cc/sgkS4hvF/a6c43586-2cf1-4a0d-a56d-e92266167293.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][/CENTER] [LEFT][SIZE=5]The Life and Martyrdom of the Great Martyr Sozontos (also pronounced Sozon), the Cilician shepherd—translated from Greek. His martyrdom is commemorated on September 7th. He was martyred around 304 AD. Words in parentheses are for clarification. Translated text: Saint Sozon the Martyr came from the region of Lycaonia (part of Cappadocia—specifically Caramania—extending south toward Cilicia) and lived during the late third century AD (around the year 288). Originally named Tarasius, he renounced his former ungodly life and his old name after coming to faith in Christ and receiving holy baptism, adopting instead the name Sozon. He lived in the region as a shepherd of sheep, yet he also became a shepherd of human souls; wherever he led his flock, he preached the word of godliness and introduced people to the saving teachings of the Gospel, successfully bringing many of them into the fold of Christ through his instruction. This shining man, steadfast in his divine faith, was known for his cheerful disposition and his gentle, gracious nature, He made the law of the Lord the foundation of his will, meditating upon it day and night; through this state and manner of life, he truly became worthy of the blessedness spoken of by the Prophet David. Thus did the blessed Sozon live out his earthly life. One day, while tending his flock near a spring of cold water amidst lush, abundant grass, he allowed the animals to graze. As he sat watching over them, drowsiness overcame him; in his slumber, he beheld a vision that emboldened him, deepened his piety, kindled his spiritual zeal, and filled him with great courage. The vision also revealed a grace that would descend upon that place from heaven, for he heard a voice declaring that this location and the surrounding region would become a source of abundant blessing for the people, who would find salvation there and glorify the Holy Trinity. Upon waking, that good shepherd—Saint Sozon—set out for the city of Pompeiopolis ; There, upon witnessing the rampant spread and flourishing of disbelief and idolatry—contrasted with the neglect and scorn shown toward the Christian faith and devotion to the True God—he could not endure the sight; But immediately, an overwhelming, intense desire took hold of his heart, and he was seized by an excruciating inner pain ; He approached the temple of those wicked people—where the golden statue stood—and tore off its golden right hand; he then sold it to goldsmiths for a handsome sum and distributed the entire proceeds among the city’s poor and needy. Saint Sozon carried out this act in secret, entirely unnoticed by the temple guards. Upon discovering the defacement of the statue, the guards immediately arrested a number of innocent people who had played no part in the deed, dragging them before the court on charges of sacrilege to face trial and punishment. They regarded them as the vilest and most depraved of all the criminals thrown into prison., accusing them of committing a grave act of sacrilege and affronting the honor of their god’s statue. No one came to the aid of these unfortunate innocents; they were abandoned by their friends and And likewise the prison guards;. Those godless people believed they would gain their god's favor by treating the prisoners with cruelty. Yet the brave athlete,the struggler Sozon, wishing to demonstrate his piety and liberate those innocents who were completely unaware of what had transpired, stepped forward before the temple guards and declared that he was the one who had committed the act and removed the statue's golden hand. No sooner had they heard this than the temple guards seized him and brought him before Maximian, the governor of Cilicia—a man who displayed great zeal in propagating impiety and asserting his authority, strictly enforcing the imperial decree then in effect. He had ordered a lavish and costly sacrifice to be offered to the city’s revered golden statue, wishing to demonstrate his devotion to the idols before the masses and thereby curry favor with the Emperor. The governor sat upon a high dais and ordered the martyr to be brought before him; then, with feigned solemnity, arrogance, and a haughty gaze, he asked: "What is your name, what is your religion, and from what land do you come?" The martyr replied: "When I was born, my parents named me Tarasius, but I received the name Sozon in holy baptism. As for my homeland, it is not Lycaonia—though I was born there—for I am a Christian by faith; I worship and revere Christ alone, the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth." Maximian then asked him: "What brought you to this city?" Sozon answered: "I tend a flock of sheep and travel with it; wherever I find a place with abundant pasture and clear water—suitable for grazing—at any time of the year, I lead my sheep there to graze." Maximian said: "How dare you commit this act of great impiety and cut off the god's right hand?" Sozon replied: "What I did was no act of daring, nor should anyone deem it a crime; indeed, it seems to me that your own god bears witness to this. He showed no anger toward me When I cut off his hand away from him; He uttered not a word, nor did He display any resentment at having been insulted or humiliated. On the contrary—despite the insult—He inflicted no harm upon me, even though I was the one who insulted Him. But if he were finally destined to speak, it seems to me He would address you, openly accusing you of forsaking the Creator of all things to turn instead to inert materials—stone, wood, and metal— which You deem them gods and worship them, and of showing ingratitude toward your Benefactor." (The One who your Benefactor —that is, the true God) The governor said: "If you truly desire—not merely to obtain forgiveness for your transgression, but to reap great rewards as well—then abandon this idle talk, save yourself, Sozon, and come worship the gods." The martyr replied: "How could I be anything but more foolish and dull-witted than this god of yours, were I to choose to honor one who could not even defend himself when I heaped indignity upon him? He uttered not a word, cried out to no one for aid, and was incapable of protest—even had he wished to voice his suffering—but remained in a state of utter wretchedness and misery. Beware, then, O Governor—beware, I say—lest the creation, crafting, and erection of gods day after day, and the devising of new ones, become for you nothing more than a mere trade and craft." Then, in the throes of his furious rage, Maximian inflicted harsh punishments and horrific torments upon the martyr. At first, his body was raked with iron claws—a savage torture that tore down to the very bones of the martyr—yet the martyr continued to call upon God for aid and succor, enduring the cruel punishment with great joy and serenity, as though his body were made of iron. He remained steadfast and unshaken, displaying even greater fortitude than those who were tearing at his flesh. Maximian then resorted to other methods of torture; he ordered that "athlete"—that champion of the faith—to wear shoes fitted with iron spikes in its interior and forced him to walk in them. Yet the blessed man, feeling no pain, began to run as if stepping lightly and briskly upon a wheel; and as he saw the abundant blood flowing from his pierced feet, he imagined himself bathing in fresh, invigorating waters, regarding the tyrant’s mockery and the spectators’ derision as words of praise and acclaim. It was as though the "athlete" had adorned himself with blood—an adornment surpassing in beauty and splendor the robes of authority worn by the ruler. Then the ruler taunted him, saying: "Tomorrow, when the gods appear, play the pipe, Sozon; and I swear to you that they themselves will instantly deliver you from all punishment and retribution, and absolve you of the offense you have committed against them." The martyr replied: "You speak to me thus only in mockery and derision, incited by the evil spirit dwelling within you. As for me—after receiving the great blessing of holy baptism—( i feel like) I used to rejoice in the field where I tended my flock, calling to them with the familiar shepherd’s pipe. Now, however, I sing a new hymn to the Lord, echoing the Prophet-King, and proclaim the salvation of all mankind—a salvation ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ through His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. Your goddess, meanwhile, will stand—as the saying goes—like a donkey before a pipe: utterly motionless and devoid of feeling." (The phrase "like a donkey before a pipe" is an old proverb used to describe complete insensitivity or a lack of feeling.) Upon hearing this, Maximian flew into a furious rage against the martyr and ordered him to be scourged with unprecedented cruelty—so severely that, in the words of the governor himself, the martyr’s very joints and ligaments were on the verge of being wrenched apart by the agony, his limbs coming undone, and his entrails spilling out like water. Then, amidst terrifying threats, he ordered a fire to be lit so that what remained of the body—battered by such savage scourging—might be cast into the flames, consumed, and denied even the burial rites accorded to ordinary human beings. Maximian gave the order, and it was carried out; the horrific wounds inflicted by the executioners' whips tore the martyr's flesh, exposing his entrails to view. Yet, this brave champion of Christ appeared as though he were in a lush garden or a meadow, plucking spring flowers; amidst this joy and exultation, the blessed one surrendered his soul into the hands of God. Immediately, the executioners set fire to the pyre; as the flames rose high, a tremendous peal of thunder suddenly rang out, striking terror into the hearts of the onlookers, while a torrential downpour simultaneously scattered the executioners and drove them into hiding. However, the admirers of the martyrs—and indeed the most zealous and official among the Christians— (Or prominence—perhaps the intended meaning refers to Christians of high religious rank, status, or great piety.) seized a favorable opportunity, as no one remained to obstruct or monitor them, and gathered the martyr’s remains with great rejoicing. Meanwhile, night had fallen, yet this posed no obstacle to their pious mission; for the night was not shrouded in pitch darkness. Instead, a brilliant and wondrous light shone forth, enabling those devout and God-fearing Christians to discern the martyr’s remaining relics. Bathed in this radiance, they gathered the remains with ease and laid them to rest with profound reverence, solemnity, and awe on the seventh day of September. The light that had guided them to the site of the sacred relics hovered over the tomb, remaining there until the burial rites were fully concluded; only then did the night return to cast its customary darkness. Thus, through these miraculous signs, the greatness of Sozon—that triumphant athlete and glory-crowned champion—was proclaimed. for the glory of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the Most Holy Trinity—to whom belong honor and power, now and at all times, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.[/SIZE][/LEFT] [/QUOTE]

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