On the Martyrs

On the Martyrs Memra of the Ten and a Half On the Martyrs A Homily Blessed is the memory of the just one who remembers his helpers: here and above in the heavens, my brothers. In all the world Jesus established martyrs for his proclamation, and through all sufferings he received the sign of his crucifixion. In the whole world the sun of his preaching shone, and through his victories he extinguished darkness from the inhabited world. He cast the net of his teaching into the sea of error, and within it he gathered all peoples together with all kings. He left no city on earth that rebelled against his instruction, nor did he spread a garment in the land that was not woven with him. Wings were given to his preaching, and it flew over the earth, and through all sufferings it seized a nest in its swiftness. Over sea and dry land his word ran swiftly, and it filled the world with the sweet fragrance of his teaching. With great love error received his preaching, and because of it demons and all torments endured. Because of their love for him, children abandoned their parents, and they considered themselves as strangers and clung to him. Because of him, even fathers denied their children, and they delivered them to all kinds of death without mercy. A great schism he cast upon the earth on the day of his coming, and he severed the love of fathers from that of fathers. A brother, because of him, delivered his brother to death, and there was no house that was free from the fray.

The daughter was not willing to accept the error of her mother, nor was the mother persuaded to confess with her daughter. Jesus is the cause of this entire division, just as he taught us clearly. Do not think that I came to cast peace upon the earth, for I did not come to cast peace, but a sword. I brought a new gospel to proclaim to the children of men, and whoever is persuaded and receives me is blessed. He who confesses me and my words denies his father, and he who receives and believes in me abandons his mother. He denies all the members of his household, even his own children, and sets his body against the world for the sake of my name. His cross rises above his shoulder and goes forth with me, and fills the whole region and district, and is attached to me. If he is rich, he scatters his wealth and becomes poor, and when he is stripped, then he is worthy to be taught by me. If he is wise and offers the simplicity of my teaching, he denies the wisdom of the world first, and then comes. If he is a ruler and desires the lowliness of my authority, he enters through humility, and is worthy of my lordship. I came as a narrow gate to open for the children of men, and many are cut off, and it is not easy for everyone to enter through it.

Only the small are able to enter through the gate that I have opened, and only the simple are able to walk the path of my teaching. The gate is narrow and the path is strait and very difficult, and it is not for everyone to find it easy to walk upon it. Not everyone who wishes to come finds it easy to come, for the discipleship that is mine is completed with great labor. Not everyone who calls himself my disciple is able to complete the discipleship that is required of me. I came to teach the sons of men a life of labor, and that one is worthy who hears and keeps my word. He denies his brothers and also renounces his sisters, and leaves behind houses and villages and possessions, and draws near to me. Behold, the seed that our Savior sowed among the sons of men, and the martyrs received it with love, and they were perfected in his discipleship. They were memorials to all who were zealous for his sake, and they considered the world and its goods as nothing. They despised pleasures and loved peace, and when they were on earth they were not on earth but above. When they were alive they gave life to the whole world, for they were alive to a world that is not consumed. They despised their lives and loved death without a sword, and the death that everyone fears they received with joy. On the path of death they went forth to blessings and did not turn back or fear, and when the taste of death was very bitter they did not flee from it.

The life of the sacrifice with the eternal one the true ones weighed and they chose this and elected that distinctly. By that straight path of life they were troubled and weighed well the world that passes with the eternal one. They did not relax from the yoke that they had taken upon themselves and they did not turn aside and descend from the harshness of pains and afflictions. They were not disturbed by the wealth and honors that filled the sacrifice and they were not bent, neither by race nor by lineage. This sign alone was set before them distinctly, that for the sake of Jesus the victorious they would die and gain life. They saw the death of Jesus, that it was the cause of life, and they gained strength to proclaim over all deaths. They saw him hanging on the head of the cross for the sake of our salvation, and they paid the debts that were owed with the blood of their necks. They looked upon our Lord hanging on the wood with the executioners, and they were convinced that for the sake of a sign he received the likeness. They saw the executioner receive from him forgiveness of his debts, and they thought that his mercies would also extend to them. They saw the elements that were changed on the day of his passion, and they were convinced that the Lord was theirs and of all. They saw the nails that were without word when they were driven, that they might understand that the Lord was of height and depth.

They saw, as the magicians were shouting, the silent ones for the eloquent man. And they knew and perceived that because of the tasting, death had tasted. They ran, also they, and they gathered themselves in him like an army, and they asked of him forgiveness of sins and new life. As if nothing, they considered that the life of the sacrifice exists for them, and as one day they believed that this world exists. They rejected the world and all that is in it, the works of the country, and they chose to inherit new life in the high kingdom. They rejected and cast aside all beauties and also possessions, and they expanded the future world and full blessings. They cast aside corruptible gold, which has no profit, and they rejected silver, which cannot redeem all its buyers. They cast from themselves all the worship of idolatry, and they cried out praise to the one God, who is high above the heights. They rejected and cast aside the praise of a corruptible dwelling, and they loved and cherished the praise of a height that cannot be corrupted. They left the idols that the evil one set up for the error of man, and they approached and worshipped the worship of love before the judge. They abandoned here all possessions and all beauties, and they ran after the pearl, which is glorious above all. To the master of the house they were made known from his daughters, and like trumpets they gave praise to the one who sets all in order.

They abandoned the craft of magic that the evil one had kindled. And they shouted praise to the one Creator and Ordainer. They had thought that the sun and the moon were deities, and that it was not right for them to touch the rank of divinity. They had thought that they were not gods, for they were amazed at their names, and that the worship of God should not approach them. They saw the Son who opened the way of life to the flesh, and as if on a bridge, they crossed over death to the place of life. Mighty indeed is the hour of death, and good is the sufferer, and how desirable are these lives that sell themselves for a price! Good and beloved are the lives that sell themselves for the sake of the martyrs, and also the righteous who separate themselves from them are good and are held in esteem. Behold, Hezekiah, who had despaired of his life: he turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly. With great weeping the king wept when he heard that he would die, until he heard the gospel of life from Isaiah. And if a righteous man trembled and was shaken from the cup of death, how easy it is for the poor to endure sufferings! The martyrs endured the sufferings of death and were not shaken, and they died with Jesus the death that sells itself for the sake of life with him. The death of Jesus made death a thing of the past, and by his resurrection he abolished it and stripped it of its power. From where does the weak body, son of the earth, have the strength to stand firm and to conquer sufferings and demons manfully?

Where is the strength of David, and the many torments that he endured courageously, and overcame the torments of death? There is no power in the weakness of Adam’s clay. And where is the one who without toil endured torments? What gave this to the body that endured his life? And how can he rejoice over the cup of death? By what power did he conquer the nerves and also the veins? And what strengthened his weakness so that it was not torn apart? The death of Jesus gave a hand to the bodily ones, and by it he was strengthened and made bold in the authority of death. If Jesus had not died, how could he live? And when he died, he endured life, the lover of all. If the Messiah had not bound death in the grave, there would be no hope of new life for the living. Jesus renewed the whole race for new life. And the martyrs ran and went to him, to where he went. He went first and prepared a dwelling in the height, and then his lovers ascend with him to the house of the kingdom. Upon this hope the martyrs die without hesitation, and because of this they swim in life that is not consumed. For the other world the zealous ones are adorned to be gladdened, and because of this they die here in order to live beyond. In these zealous ones every man runs to be buried, so that by their deaths the error of the many is abolished and the truth cries out.

In him also the teaching of the contest was perfected, for they did not bear witness concerning him with words, but with death. For behold, where is the one who believes, and believes in the Only-begotten, the confession of whose mouth is not to be changed by reward? Paul cries out that if he does not confess in the death of Jesus, and also believe that he rose from the grave alive, he will inherit. If the confession of the mouth alone gives life, the martyrs who believed and were also crowned, how much more would they have inherited? If the warrior by word alone ascends to Paradise, to what place do the martyrs who shed their lives enter? Christ alone is sufficient for this reward, and he bestows it upon the martyrs, the crowns of their confession. To these weary ones, it is not sufficient to praise them, unless the good Lord for whose sake they died is present. Behold, their deaths are better than life; in every place they triumph, and in every region their memorials are exalted. Behold, from every place the pain runs to the day of their feasts, and every day their memorials triumph in the four regions. The walls of the city cannot contain the multitude of the prayer of the martyrs for the whole world. There is no king who can help you as much as the prayer of the martyrs can help you. There is no ruler who can save the one who is distressed in him, as much as the martyrs can save from afflictions.

In these contests they did not fear, and their heart rejoiced, and they did not hold dear the memories of their bodies and their limbs. In these they were like sacrifices for their own sakes, and like offerings they offered themselves to the king whom they loved. These who despised the whole world and its desires, and loved sufferings and death for the sake of Jesus. These who denied themselves taste and wealth and authority, and did not wish to live a life of purchase for the sake of Jesus. These in whom the side of the wicked was humbled and brought low, and the teaching of Jesus conquered and prevailed among the deniers. These who without the testimony of words alone bore witness, but with constancy they sealed and confirmed what they had received. With words they supported the teaching of the proclamation, and by their deaths even their words were confirmed. All these cried out, the martyrs to the persecutors, that the death of Jesus is true for us, and also his resurrection. In him we confess that he died in truth and rose in truth, and the good Lord does not separate for us from his lordship. To him we see that he rose from the grave with great glory, and is not changed into another Lord, for he is true for us. And if concerning words there is dispute, whether they are from the persecutors, the deed bears witness to the words, if they wish, whether from them. Not by words alone do we confess the lordship of Jesus, for to all the suffering we are prepared for the sake of Jesus.

It was not by the word of the mouth alone that they confessed in him, but by death they completed for him the debt of love toward him. The sword was not able to cut off the debt of love toward Jesus, and there is no torment that can make a blemish in their faith. All these athletes stood before the persecutors, and they did not tremble nor lower themselves before the persecutors of righteousness. With a loud voice the martyrs cried out before the judge, that they would not worship the sun and the moon, natural elements that are made. To one God who created the height and established the depth, to him they worship and to him they offer the tribute of love. To him they consider the Lord, the Most High, the ruler of all, and to him they offer sounds of praise at all times. To the Lord of the height who descended to earth to give life to the world, in him they confess without division, as it is written. To that Savior who descended and redeemed the race of Adam, to him they sing sounds of praise by night and day. To that Savior who died on the face of the earth to give life to his people, to him they bow down and to him they sacrifice the sacrifices of their bodies. Everyone who hears my words, remember and love his life, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and come after me and with me be glad. To the kings who were persecutors, their fathers went according to their commands, and they cried out with them, "We will not worship any created things." Let the sword come, and let the fire come with its flame, and let it be seen whether he who is able can separate their love from them.

Up to now they have testified in words concerning him whom they loved; from now on, however, deed has become witness to the words. For testimony of words has a place for falsehood, but for deed who can bring about its abolition? Deed, then, is a witness that cannot be falsified. He too has now come to testify on behalf of Jesus. For all the persecuted, behold, the causes are entering because of him, and for all the confessors, behold, the reasons are prepared because of his love. And if you say that the testimony of words is not accepted by you, behold, the testimony of deeds is accepted, then. The bodies of the martyrs and their members, when they are severed, testify that Jesus is true, for whose sake they are being destroyed. The martyrs endured the death of the sacrifice in the hope of life, and their memorials are not blotted out until eternity. The memorial of their persecutors has ceased, and their own memorial stands, that it is the same Jesus for whose sake they gave their bodies. The impious kings who persecuted them, behold, have been abolished, and the rocks that endured all their torments, behold, are being exalted. Of the renowned kings there is no memorial in the land, but the memorial of the poor is being raised up on their days. In this there is no name even for the race of the poor, for when they were poor they despised the life of the rich. The feeble race of the rich loves life, and there is no power in it to shake itself against sufferings.

Earth is the body, and from where does it have its own in the earth? For the son of the martyr is he, and there is nothing more excellent than him. This earthly race now shines forth from all that from him the martyrs became, who ascended over all deaths. They gave their necks to the sword's slaughter because of Jesus, from whom of their Lord they turned back a reward in exchange for their labors. They are confident that they are not forgotten by the Creator, and it is certain to them that they receive a reward for their labors from him. Upon that hope of new life they endured all evils that they might enter and dwell in the mansions of light in the upper air. Upon the trust of the high kingdom they gave their necks, so that on the day of judgment they might receive from him the crown of victory. In exchange for the confession of the Redeemer they gave their bodies. Behold, they are waiting for the day of his revelation, that they might receive a reward. To that one they entrusted themselves, that they might inherit what is in the heights, and upon that one they rejoiced over the delights of the dwelling below. In that spiritual delight they were gladdened that they might be delighted, and because of this they denied the idols and confessed the Son. In that conduct of the royal house they desired to be, and upon this they rejected gold and silver and abundant wealth. With the vigilant they desired to enter the holy of holies, and because of this they loved and cherished the dwelling above.

From the table that is full of life they hasten to taste, and because of this they despise earthly banquets. From that spiritual cup they hasten to drink, and on account of this they reject the earthly drinking of wine. Crowns of glory hasten the martyrs to receive, and on account of this they despise the glory of the earth that is corruptible. With the sweetness of sin the martyrs hasten to be delighted, on account of this they reject all the pleasures of this world. There is one who gave up his life by the sword at the hands of the persecutors, and he is destined to receive a crown of glory that is incorruptible. There is one who was cut limb from limb by the persecutors, and that wonder of his half was dead and his half was alive. There is one who by saws and there is one who by scourges gave up his life, and there is one by imprisonment and there is one who went to the crosses and there is one by saws. Woe to the athletes of righteousness who triumphed and conquered; woe to the victors who conquered and vanquished the race of Adam. Woe to the zealous ones of the sin of height that is incorruptible, who gave themselves to all torments and to all afflictions. Woe to the rays of the great sun of righteousness, who were not extinguished in the darkness of the evil gloom. Woe to the lamps of righteousness that gave their light, that it might shine on the earth and put an end to the darkness beneath their error. Woe to the strong ones who were not broken by their torments, who conquered and went to the free ones and kings and rulers.

Alas for the tyrants who rose up in the contest against the evil one and conquered, putting to flight all the hosts of the sons of darkness. Alas for this human race, how it was exalted, that it became master over what is of height and over what is of depth. The demons wailed and cried out with a voice of lamentation: "Woe to us, for the great crown of our headship has been abolished. From now on the authority of our rulers has ceased, and we no longer have an opener of the mouth over what is. From now on the teaching of our words from our disciples has ceased, and behold, the whole world has been taught the name of Jesus. The whole creation has been filled with words of spirit, and every man runs to be baptized in him, the Galilean. Behold, the whole world has been taught the name of Jesus, and even the disciples of the teaching of our words have been baptized in him." In these cups they rejoice and the whole race is gladdened, and the weakness of the whole body is strengthened by them. Praise to the Lord who made his servants victorious in the contest of labors; to him is glory, to them is praise from every mouth.