Saint Mercurius
Roman soldier and Christian martyr, wielder of two swords.
via Wikipedia: Saint Mercurius · see source
Saint Mercurius, also known by his Arabic name Abu-Sayfain, was a Roman soldier of Greek descent who became a Christian saint and martyr. He was born around 224/225 AD in the city of Eskentos in Cappadocia, Eastern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). According to Christian tradition, he was the soldier who killed Julian the Apostate during his campaign in Persia. Mercurius was also widely known by his Arabic-language name Abu-Sayfain, Abu-Sifin or Abu-Sefein in Egyptian Arabic, which means 'wielder of two swords', referring to the second sword given to him by the Archangel Michael. He was only 25 years old when he was beheaded on 4 December 250 AD.
Quick Facts
- Honorific prefix
- Saint
- Born
- 224/225
- Died
- December 4, 250 (aged 25–26)
- Venerated in
- Roman Catholic Church
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Oriental Orthodox Churches
- Birthplace
- Eskentos, Cappadocia (Roman province) or Rome (modern-day Turkey or Italy)
- Titles
- Great martyr
- Canonized
- pre-congregation
- Attributes
- Paramerion swords
Facts from the source article.
Traditional biography
Mercurius was born in Eskentos in Cappadocia, though some accounts give Rome as his birthplace. His father, Yares, was an officer in the Roman army. While hunting with his own father, Yares was attacked by an animal and fainted; in a vision, a voice told him his son would bear good fruit and be a witness. Yares, his wife, and their son were baptized, receiving new names: Yares became Noah, his wife became Saphina, and their son became Philopater. The prince ordered their arrest and they were thrown to wild animals, but the animals did not harm them, and the prince released them. When barbarians attacked, Noah went to fight, was taken prisoner for seventeen months, and after the war returned home but died shortly after. Mercurius was strong and courageous, earning respect as a swordsman. When barbarians attacked Rome, Decius grew afraid, but Mercurius encouraged him. After several days of fighting, the Archangel Michael appeared to Mercurius holding a shining sword; Mercurius took it, gaining the name Abu Sayfain, meaning 'father of two swords'—a military sword and a divine sword. He conquered the barbarians, and Decius named him a prince.
Other traditions
After the first persecution, Mercurius appeared to a poor man, telling him his body was buried in Cappadocia Gardens under an old house. The man dug and found the body, which smelled of perfume and looked white as snow. The body was moved temporarily to a local church, then a new church was built and the body buried there with respect. Later, the Catholicos of Armenia visited Egypt and met the Patriarch of Alexandria; the patriarch asked for part of the relics to be placed in a church bearing Mercurius's name in Egypt. On 9 Paoni (16 June), part of the relics were transferred to Egypt. According to one tradition, Basil prayed before an icon of Mercurius, asking God not to permit Julian the Apostate to return from his Persian war; the icon's image became invisible and reappeared with a bloodied spear, and Julian was mortally wounded by an unknown Saracen soldier. The nuns at the Abu Sefein Monastery in Cairo credit the saint's intercession for reversing a government decision to confiscate their property.
More in Michael
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced