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Hieromartyr Erasmus of Ochrid, who reposed in peace, and 20,000 Martyrs with him (303) Commemorated on June 2 "This saint was born in Antioch and lived in the reigns of
Diocletian and Maximian. He lived in strict asceticism on Mount Lebanon, and was
endowed by God with great wonderworking gifts. As a bishop, he set out to preach
the Gospel. Arriving at the city of Ochrid, he restored the son of a man called
Anastasius to life by his prayers, and baptised him. At this time, Erazmus
baptised many other pagans and tore down the idolatrous altar in Ochrid. For
this he was denounced to the Emperor Maximian, who was at that time staying in
Illyria. The Emperor brought him before the copper image of Zeus, and ordered
him to bring sacrifices and worship the idol. St Erazmus, by his power, caused a
terrible dragon to come out of the statue, which terrified all the people. The
saint then worked another wonder, and the dragon died. Then the saint preached
Christ and baptised 20,000 souls. The furious Emperor commanded that all 20,000
be beheaded, and put Erazmus to harsh torture, before throwing him into prison.
But an angel of God appeared to him, as once to the Apostle Peter, and led him
out of the prison. After that, this servant of God went to Campania, where he
preached the Gospel to the people, then returned again to the town of Hermelia,
where he withdrew to a cave and lived in asceticism for the rest of his days. At
the time of his death, he prostrated three times towards the East and, with
upraised hands, prayed to God to forgive and give eternal life to all those who
would, with faith, call upon his name. At the end of his prayer, a voice was
heard from heaven: 'Let it be as thou hast asked, My little healer Erazmus!' The
saint looked up once more to heaven with great joy and saw a wreath of glory
descending upon him, and a choir of angels, prophets, apostles and martyrs
waiting to receive his holy soul. He finally cried: 'Lord, receive my spirit!',
and breathed his last, in about the year 303. The cave and chapel of St Erazmus
stand to this day not far from Ochrid, and from there is proclaimed to this day
the great power of the man of God, Erazmus the hieromartyr." (Prologue) |
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