Eupsychius

ON SAINT EUPSYCHIUS

MARTYR AT CAESAREA IN CAPPADOCIA.

YEAR 362.

Eupsychius, Martyr at Caesarea in Cappadocia (St)

By G. H.

Hermias Sozomen, in book 5 of the Ecclesiastical History chapter 4, thus describes the coming of the Emperor Julian the Apostate into the city of Caesarea: "About the same time the Emperor removed Caesarea, situated at Mount Argaeus, Julian the Emperor comes to Caesarea, a large, wealthy, and leading city of the province of Cappadocia, from the roll of cities and deprived it of the name of Caesar, which name, during the reign of Claudius angry because the shrines of the gods had been destroyed: (when formerly it had been called Maza), it had obtained. For he had long since conceived the gravest hatred against the citizens of this city, both because they all professed the Christian faith and because they had formerly destroyed the temples of Jupiter the patron of the city and of the ancestral Apollo. He was also gravely angry with the whole city and in rage

because the temple of Fortune, which alone remained standing during his reign, had been overthrown by the Christians; and he vehemently accused the Gentiles, who were few in number in that city, for not having avenged that deed, and that, even if some calamity had thus to be borne on that account, they had not willingly borne it for Fortune. Therefore he ordered all the wealth and money of the churches, both in Caesarea and in its confines, He plunders the wealth of the churches, to be diligently investigated and brought into the open, and three hundred pounds of gold to be paid immediately into the public treasury, He compels the clergy to military service: and all the clergy to be enrolled in the number of soldiers subject to the Prefect of that region: a thing which both requires very much expense and is held as the greatest disgrace in the Roman armies. He also ordered a census to be taken of the multitude of Christians together with their wives and children, He exacts tribute from the Christians: and that they should pay taxes no differently than is wont to be done in the country villages. He also threatened with an oath that he would neither abate his wrath nor cease afflicting the city, nor allow the Galileans (for so he was accustomed to call the Christians in contempt) to retain their heads on their necks, unless they should as soon as possible rebuild the shrines of the idols from the foundation. These threats perhaps would have been fulfilled in deed, had he not himself departed this life more quickly." So far Sozomen.

[2] Saint Eupsychius, of whom we are here treating, had been the author of the overthrowing of the shrine of Fortune, and for this cause suffered a most cruel martyrdom: concerning which the same Sozomen in chapter 10 hands down this: "It is said likewise that Basil, presbyter of the Church of Ancyra, Saint Eupsychius, a patrician, casts down the shrine of Fortune: and Eupsychius, sprung from the patricians of Caesarea of Cappadocia, who had recently taken a wife and was still as it were a new bridegroom, departed this life at the same time. Eupsychius, as far as I can conjecture, was because of the shrine of Fortune, on account of the destruction of which at that time the citizens of Caesarea had, as we showed above, to a man all incurred the hatred of the Emperor. Those who had laid hands on that demolition paid the penalty, some punished with death, some condemned to exile." He is put to death with Saint Basil of Ancyra: So Sozomen. Of the said Basil, Presbyter and Martyr of Ancyra, we have treated on March 22, on which day both Greeks and Latins venerate him, and we have found his Greek Acts written by a contemporary author, and have transcribed them at Rome from the manuscript codices of the Vatican and the Vallicelliana of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory, and published them rendered into Latin by us, the Greek text being placed at the end of the volume. To this Martyr, after various other torments, by Julian's order, thongs were cut from his back, one of which he hurled into the face of the apostate Julian; at last, being pierced with fiery awls, amid pious prayers he placidly fell asleep. It clearly seems probable to us that the Acts of the Martyrdom of Saint Eupsychius were written in the same way, but which thus far we have been unable to find. Therefore from various other things we have been able to gather, we give here first the compendium which is in the Menologium of the Emperor Basil on this day, and it is of this kind.

[3] His elogium from the Menologium of the Emperor Basil. "On the same day the contest of the holy Martyr Eupsychius, who was of Caesarea. Eupsychius was a Martyr of Christ under the reign of Julian the Apostate, from Cappadocia: who, having pursued a blameless life and a simple manner of conduct, burned with the greatest desire and love of Christ. When once he had seen the worshippers of idols going to the temple sacred to Fortune and there sacrificing—where also the impious and faithless apostate Julian was accustomed to offer victims daily—stirred with divine zeal, taking other Christians as companions with him, he overthrew the temple from the foundations and utterly crushed the idols that were in it. When Julian had learned this, he was vehemently angry, and ordered all of them to be seized; some of them he cast into exile, deprived of their fortunes and afflicted with various hardships; but the Martyr Eupsychius, denounced as the author of the crime, he first ordered to be cast into prison. From prison he was afterwards brought out and tortured with many torments; at last, commanded to deny Christ, and having refused, he was beheaded."

[4] Thus far the Menologium of the Emperor Basil, from which seem to have been excerpted the elogia that are in the printed and manuscript Greek Menaia, in the Anthologium also approved by Clement VIII, and which Maximus Bishop of Kythera published ἐν βίοις ἁγίων: but they are found more perfectly in the Paris manuscript Synaxarion of the College of Clermont, and the Paris manuscript Synaxarion: and they are of this kind when translated into Latin: "On the ninth day of April, the contest of the holy Martyr Eupsychius, who suffered at Caesarea in Cappadocia. This man was sprung from the region of Cappadocia: he had kept his life and mind blameless and had married a wife in legitimate rite. He, kindled by ardor for the honor of God, taking with him several Christians, overthrew from the foundations the shrine called of Fortune, in which the apostate Julian was accustomed to sacrifice daily. When the Emperor had learned what had been done, he ordered all the Christians to be despoiled of their goods and possessions and afflicted with exiles and various penalties: but the Martyr Eupsychius himself, as the author of the deed, he ordered to be struck with the sword; who, beheaded, made an end of living."

[5] Manifold torments are said in the Menologium of Basil to have been those with which Saint Eupsychius was tortured; and from odes written by Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, some of them are touched upon in the Ecclesiastical odes which are contained in the Menaia, customarily recited in the divine office by the Greeks, and believed to have been composed by Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, brother of Saint Theodore the Studite: in these also the virtues and miracles of the same Saint Eupsychius are indicated, but strictly; and a verse is appended, whose individual letters give the beginning of individual strophes. The verse itself alludes to the name of the Saint, and has the name of the author attached:

Τοὺς Εὐψυχίου, εὐψύχως ᾄδω πόνους. Ἰωσήφ.

The torments of Eupsychius I sing stout-heartedly. Joseph.

We here give not the odes themselves continuously, but certain excerpts here and there for the more convenient use of the reader; and they are of this kind.

[6] The most wise Eupsychius is set up as a glorious pillar of the Church, and an unmoved tower of piety: whose mind, with upright intent toward God, removed all the allurements and delights of this life, he despises the allurements of life, and plainly appeared as a joyful master of human passions. He, exulting in joy, distributed all his goods and wealth to the needy, and in return obtained the sacrosanct wealth of martyrdom and joy that never fails. The tyrant, thinking that a treasure had been gathered by him, gifts offered and threats of torments: with the greatest cunning attempted to overcome his mind, offering various gifts; indeed, setting before him different kinds of torments, he tried to break his well-ordered purpose: but the Athlete of Christ, persevering nobly, earned the victory. Impious men, puffed up with excessive pride, and lovers of vanities, loaded him with much infamy, and not bearing his wisdom, accused him before the prince, as if advancing foolishly and sacrificing to demons. The glorious Martyr showed a fair and lofty soul to his enemies, and appeared terrible to them and astonishing, while he bore their malice with an even mind, and leaning on the grace of God, despised the tribulations of the flesh; and like a lily filled the minds of men with the good odor of his contests, and by it wisely dispelled their fetid errors. Nor could the multitude of torments by their storm depress the lofty soul by which he looked upon Christ, God, governing and strengthening and directing him to the tranquil harbors of his kingdom. Long tortured hanging, Most constantly he bore his body being lacerated with wounds, when, suspended on high, he saw himself made like Christ, Lord of every creature. He exults in his praise, while his sides and ribs are scraped; and while the skin is taken off, he shows the power of a most manly mind. In the depth of the martyrdom an Angel of God appeared to him, he is strengthened by an Angel: strengthening him in the glorious victory of the contest. And thus neither torments nor death, as before no delights of this world, could separate him from the love of his Creator. He had woven himself a garment from his best works, and dyed it purple with his blood. Truly a miracle illustrious to behold. He pours forth milk and water in place of blood: For in place of blood, when his head was cut off, milk and water flowed out; and clothed with this stole, he appeared adorned in beauty in the sight of God: and so, singing hymns to his Lord and filled with all joy, he nobly accomplished his martyrdom, made victor of tyrants and evil spirits; and he who lately had dissolved the darkness of errors by the wisdom of his words, and instructed those who were seen eloquent in their own vanity, now like the sun illumines the minds of the faithful living throughout all the ends of the earth.

[7] He triumphs in heaven: The gates of heaven were opened to thee, glorious Martyr, ascending into the heavens, and the choirs of Angels ran to meet thee praising God, and thou art numbered among the blessed Martyrs, obtaining the trophy of victory from Christ, and triumphing among the choirs of the heavenly spirits. Now every Church scattered throughout the world praises thee, strong athlete of Christ, he is praised in every Church: who, having finished a noble martyrdom, overcame the cruel foe and shinest in a wondrous crown of victory adorned by God. Now victor over the adversaries, he heals diseases: to all the sick running to thee thou pourest forth, as from a fountain, streams of healings: intercede for all, that they may obtain salvation and great mercy. Remember us, who keep thy memory and perform the sacred panegyric, he is invoked, we rejoice with thee and sing hymns of joy on this day, in which every Church with unanimous consent proclaims thee blessed. Pour forth before God pious prayers and sacred intercessions for us. These are excerpted from the odes of Saint Joseph the Hymnographer. In the Typikon of Saint Sabas he is celebrated by this verse, taken from the metrical Ephemeris:

Φάσγανον, ἀμφ᾽ ἐνάτην Εὐψυχίου ἔκτανε λαιμόν.

The pious sword on the ninth cut the throat of Eupsychius.

[8] A church erected to him. Saint Gregory Nazianzen mentions a church erected in honor of Saint Eupsychius in epistle 26, where he asserts that he was present at a Synod celebrated in that church. But Basil the Great in epistle 291 invites the Bishops of the Pontic diocese to celebrate his feast in these words: "The honor of the martyrs surely is by all those who hope in the Lord procured with the greatest zeal and care, The Bishops of the Pontic diocese are stirred up by Saint Basil to his cult: and ought to be frequented by you before all others, who bear virtue before yourselves and strive after it: who through the willing affection of your minds toward your fellow-servants declare your highest goodwill toward the common Lord: and still more, because the profession of a more strictly ordered life has some kinship with those who through patient fortitude have been consummated. Wherefore, since Eupsychius and Damas are excellently eminent among the Martyrs, and their other companions, whose anniversary memories are celebrated in our city and in the surrounding territory on all sides—the Church, to which you are the common adornment, calls back to your memory, and by the ministry of my voice admonishes you, to renew, in the manner you were wont, the ancient custom of visitation. Wherefore, as though some great business lay upon you, by the

that people which awaits edification from you, and not otherwise than by the hope of the reward laid up for you on account of the honor given to the Martyrs, so receive our invitation; and grant me this favor: that, having undertaken a labor which is indeed not great, you may win a great benefit and profit for yourselves." So writes Saint Basil. As to the one who, with Saint Eupsychius, eminently excelled—Damas the Martyr—he seems to be the one mentioned under the title of Hieromartyr, usually given only to bishops, in the manuscript Paris Synaxarion of the College of Clermont on August 28, in these few words: Καὶ τοῦ ὁσίου ἱερομάρτυρος καὶ θαυματυργοῦ Δάμα. "And of the most holy Hieromartyr and Wonderworker Damas." Perhaps a cult will also be found elsewhere assigned on some other day to the fellow Martyrs. We think the Acts of these Martyrs existed in the time of Saint Basil and were well enough known; otherwise he would have indicated to the bishops of the Pontic region, or at least to a few, something about the kind of martyrdom.

[9] Among the Latins, the memory of Saint Eupsychius is celebrated by Molanus in the additions to Usuard and by Galesinius, whose words are these: He is mentioned in the Latin calendars: "At Caesarea, of Saint Eupsychius the Martyr, who under the Emperor Julian, because of his zeal for the faith, having overthrown the temple of Fortune, was cast into prison, and having given a splendid testimony of both virtue and piety, is crowned, struck with the axe." The same from Galesinius has been translated into the German Martyrology by Canisius, and with a few things changed is thus given in the present-day Roman Martyrology: "At Caesarea in Cappadocia, Saint Eupsychius the Martyr, who for the overthrowing of the temple of Fortune, under Julian the Apostate, consummated his martyrdom." Baronius in his Notes hands down that it may be thought by some that this man, on account of having overthrown the temple of Fortune, ought not to be adorned with the name of Martyr, because it seems to conflict with canon 9 of the Council of Elvira, in which it is ruled that by what authority the temple of Fortune was overthrown. "if anyone is killed by the Gentiles because he broke an idol, he is not to be held among the Martyrs." But as to the positive law of the said Council, it seems sufficiently clear that being passed in Spain, it was not known in the East and could not bind. Moreover, Baronius asserts that the canon is to be understood in this way: when someone, without a Christian mildness, of his own accord, under no precept of law, but driven by a certain frenzy, has rushed upon an idol. But it is certain that Eupsychius performed this by the authority of the laws of Constantine the Great and Constantius, Christian Emperors, whose laws the tyranny of the apostate Julian was opposing: for by their repeated sanctions the temples had been closed, the idols cast down, and their rites had been entirely antiquated—all of which the impiety of Julian was trying to restore. There is concerning these things also the teaching of Saint Augustine in epistle 50 to Bonifacius the Count, in which he signifies that he is not to be excluded from the title of Martyr, who, on the rescript of a Christian Emperor, breaking idols, has been killed. "But if a man does this justly when a prince commands it, and deserves praise, much more will it be lawful when God commands it; and one, by a certain private instinct of the Holy Spirit, is impelled to do it, as it is established that many have done."

[10] For this Saint Eupsychius was seized, Thus Baronius. It may be added that Saint Eupsychius, with many gifts offered and various kinds of torments set before him, was tested, so that he might fall away from the Christian faith; but the athlete of Christ, generously persevering, obtained the crown of victory, slain for the Christian faith. as we have demonstrated above from the Odes composed by Saint Joseph the Hymnographer: from which we gather that he was indeed at first seized on account of having overthrown the temple of Fortune and cast into prison; but for the Christian faith, because he would not deny it to the apostate Julian, he was tortured with exquisite tortures, and at last killed with the sword. Saint Gregory Nazianzen in the oration which he gave at the funeral of his father, likewise Saint Gregory Bishop of Nazianzus, which we also gave on the Kalends of January, the day of his birthday, relates in number 33 that Julian the apostate also raged against the Caesarean Christians, because of the grief which he took for Fortune's being lately loosened and overthrown. The same he inculcates in the first oration against Julian. "What Julian," he says, "inflicted on our Caesarean men, men endowed with greatness of mind and burning with the zeal of piety—being so shaken by him and vexed through insult—perhaps it is not even fair to relate. For on account of Fortune, afflicted with misfortune in a time of better fortune, moved with just indignation, he seemed to have advanced to this vengeance, since something must be conceded to prevailing injustice." Whether Saint Eupsychius is also reported under the name of Eusebius on April 13, we inquire into on that day among the "Passed Over." In the tables of the Muscovite Calendar he seems to be named Euspicius; but much more corruptly in the Ruthenian Calendar in Possevinus's Apparatus he is Sutiphius.