A former magistrate turned hermit monk, Sergius interrupted a pagan sacrifice to Jupiter in Caesarea in 304 through his prayer. Refusing to yield to the governor Sapricius, he was beheaded for his faith. His relics were later transferred to Spain, near Betulo.
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SAINT SERGIUS, MARTYR IN CAESAREA, IN CAPPADOCIA (304).
Context of the persecution
In 304, the governor Sapricius arrived in Caesarea of Cappadocia and launched an active search for the Christians of the region.
At that time (304), Armenia and Cappadocia were governed by a man named Sapriciu s, a na Saprice Governor of Armenia and Cappadocia under Diocletian. tive of Malta. Traveling from Cappadocia to Armenia, he stopped in Caesar ea. Dur Césarée Episcopal see of Saint Leontius. ing his stay in this city, he had the Christians sought out and ordered that all those who were found be brought to him. The disciples of Jesus Christ, who were few in number in the metropolis of Cappadocia, were not at all frightened by the threat of the atrocious tortures being prepared for them; they were even consoled by the great number of pagans who joined them to embrace the faith; and God was preparing for them crowns of justice in heaven. In the midst of these terrors, the day of the sacrifices arrived.
The Eremitic Life of Sergius
A former magistrate, Sergius abandoned his possessions to become a monk and retired to a cave to live in poverty.
Now, not far from the city, there dwelt a holy monk named Serg Serge Monk and martyr at Caesarea in Cappadocia, former imperial magistrate. ius. He had first exercised the magistracy under the princes of the empire; but, fearing the agitations of a sacrilegious world, he left everything, distributed his goods to the poor, and retired into a vast cavern at the foot of a neighboring mountain, to follow in this destitution the poor Jesus Christ.
Interruption of the sacrifice and martyrdom
Serge interrupts a sacrifice to Jupiter through prayer, causing the idols to fall silent, which leads to his arrest and beheading.
On the day of the annual festival of Jupiter, the prince of profane idols, he went, by an inspiration from above, into the city and mingled with the crowd of pagans, waiting like them for the preparations for the sacrifice.
At the moment when the priest was conjuring the great gods with cert ain m Serge Monk and martyr at Caesarea in Cappadocia, former imperial magistrate. agical words, Serge began to pray to God, in his heart, to reveal to the eyes of this unfaithful people the greatness of His wonders, by paralyzing the sacrilegious action of the sacrificer. And it happened thus: the wretched minister of the idols could receive no answer from his gods. Exasperated, he announced that his gods were angry because of the remaining freedom left to the Christians. At these words, Serge, transported by a holy zeal, cried out in the midst of the crowd: "Why, sacrilegious one, do you dare to feign the anger of your gods? It is my Lord Jesus Christ who, answering the prayer of me, His servant, has closed the lying mouth of your demons; it is He who has chosen me to manifest your error and to publish before all the people the truth of my religion." The Flamen was stunned by such language. The multitude seized Serge and led him to the governor, overwhelming him with mistreatment. The latter, after calling the admirable answers that the confessor of Jesus Christ gave him madness, condemned him to beheading and to the confiscation of his goods. The satellites immediately seized his person and cut off his head. The following night, the Christians collected his body and buried it in the house of a pious matron.
Translation of the relics
The saint's body was first buried by a matron before his relics were transferred to Spain, near Betula.
In the course of time, his relics were transported to Spain, where they rest honorably near the city of Betula, although t oday t Bétule City in Spain (modern-day Badalona) to which the relics were transported. he precise location where they are found is no longer known.
Thus speak the Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Sergius.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Exercised magistracy under the princes of the empire
- Distribution of goods to the poor and retreat into a cave
- Miraculous interruption of a sacrifice to Jupiter through prayer
- Arrest and mistreatment by the multitude
- Sentenced to beheading by Governor Sapricius
Miracles
- Paralysis of the priest's sacrilegious action and muteness of the idols following his prayer
Quotes
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It is my Lord Jesus Christ who, answering the prayer of me, his servant, has closed the lying mouth of your demons
Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Sergius