A Word on the Sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr Boniface

Among the Greek works of St. Ephraim the Syrian's "Word on the Sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr Boniface", found in a collection from the Iveron Monastery on Athos. Saint Boniface, who suffered under Diocletian, is considered an example of repentance and turning from sinful pleasures to the feat of martyrdom. This is an example of repentance, the possibility of transformation and strengthening of faith. Having conquered the sins of the flesh with sincere repentance, he was awarded the crown of martyrdom. Translation from Greek, foreword and comments by Alexey Pernbaum Among the numerous Greek works of the holy Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, a small life has been preserved: “A Word on the Sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr Boniface” 1 . The manuscript comes from the Iversky Monastery of Mount Athos and was included in the composition compiled by K.G. Phrantzoles is a collection of Greek sermons by St. Ephraim. Several Greek lives of St. Boniface have been preserved: anonymous (BHG, no. 279–280) and owned by St. Simeon Metaphrastus (10th century) (PG. 115. Col. 241–257; BHG, no. 281), as well as Latin, including the hymn of the Frankish chronicler Flodoard of Rheims (10th century) (PL. 135. Col. 747–750). The Roman martyr Boniface suffered under the emperor Diocletian around 290 in the Cilician city of Tarsus. His memory is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 19. Two original churches in the name of St. Boniface are known. One of them is small, which his righteous mistress Aglaya (Aglaida) built on her estate, located 50 stadia from Rome, where she buried the saint’s relics with honor. Another church, built in the 7th century, is located in Rome on the Aventine Hill. In the 10th century it was rebuilt and expanded, and a monastery was established in the name of Bonifatius and St. Alexis, the man of God 2. The holy martyr Boniface serves for all Christians as a model of repentance after a carelessly spent life: with sincere repentance in Christ he conquered the most serious sins - intemperance, intoxication, pleasures of the flesh. And, like the prudent thief of the Gospel, in a short time he was honored to acquire the crown of martyrdom. In the proposed version of his Life, Saint Boniface is called not only a martyr, but also a great martyr. And the basis for such veneration of him from ancient times, it seems, is both his suffering of especially severe torment for his faith, and the undoubted general usefulness of his feat, which God providentially placed him as an intercessor for all those who turn to him in prayers from the evil disease of drunkenness. The instructive nature of this biography is indicated by the beginning of his Life of St. Simeon Metaphrast: The struggle of other martyrs of Christ brings great benefit to the diligent: for they show the common nature of miracles and the greatest feats. It also depicts Christ victorious, and the enemy defeated and clearly put to shame. In addition, it most obviously accuses the wicked, and most gives strength and strengthens to the pious, and constantly encourages the more zealous to spiritual competition. And we see this in those in whom the rest of their lives were in agreement with martyrdom, and from childhood they grew up in following the rules of virtue. But if someone neglected the beginning of such a life, but later shone so brightly in goodness that he was able to suddenly capture the crown of martyrdom, then what could be more excellent than this grace among the pious? After all, it is also natural that, apart from all hope, it ends in Christ, and is more pleasant than what usually happens. But this also clearly reveals the Lord's finding of the lost sheep. So, this is how we recognized Boniface, this glorious martyr of Christ. His struggle is not contemptible, but it is worthy of being written down 3 . And now God, through the prayers of the holy martyr Boniface, helps us take the true path of repentance, as He once helped this saint to do! A Word on the Sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr Boniface God is a man-loving God, who provides for the salvation of people: He said through the Prophet, I do not want the death of a sinner, but that he should be converted, and that he might live (Ezek. 18:23); who said: He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32); quick to turn and generous in generosity; who said, when you turn, groan and sigh, then you will be saved (Isa. 30:15); who gave us an example of salvation to turn to Him: He Himself, with His own goodness, provides for us, gives us a model for salvation, [teaching] not to despair of ourselves if we fall into the [net of] sin from the enemy, but to hope for the ineffable mercy of His goodness and the immeasurable bounty of His compassion. Many, after all, who were caught and entangled in grave sins, nevertheless, when they repented, received victorious crowns. One of them was Blessed Boniface and his mistress, about whom I will tell you. There lived in Rome a certain wife named Aglaida, daughter of [patrician] Acacius, who came from a good consular family. Having become the mistress of many riches, she had many slaves in her power. She also had one slave, superior to all, whose name was Boniface, who [however] remained in every shameful sin, for he was a drunkard and a fornicator, and a friend of everything that is hated by God. But at the same time he also had three virtues: he was hospitable, generous and merciful. If when he saw certain travelers, he approached them with all zeal and disposition to serve them; walked around alleys and streets, delivering everything they needed to those in need. After a while, under the influence of God’s grace, his mistress came to tenderness, called him and said to him: “Brother Boniface, you know how disorderly sins we have given ourselves over, without reasoning that we must appear before God and give an answer for what we have done in this life. And now we hear that Christians claim that if anyone serves the saints for the sake of Christ, who labored and suffered for Him, then he becomes an accomplice with them on the Last Day of the righteous judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. And now I have learned that the servants of Christ struggle against the devil in the East and hand over their bodies to torture, but do not reject Christ. So, go and bring us the relics of the holy martyrs, so that, having served them and built houses of prayer worthy of their exploits, we and many others may be saved through them.” And the young servant took enough gold to redeem the relics of the holy martyrs and to distribute to the poor, and twelve horses, and three stretchers, and myrrh for the burial of the saints. And, leaving, Boniface said to his mistress: “Mistress, if I find the relics of the saints, I can bring them to you, but if I don’t find them, and my relics are brought to you, will you accept them in the name of the saints?” His mistress answered him: “[Now far away] make drunkenness and idle talk disappear from you (Job 11:13), and so go away, remembering that you must bring the relics of the holy martyrs. I, as a sinner, will hasten to accept them. But God, who for our sake took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7) and shed His blood for the salvation of the human race, will Himself send His Angel before you and direct your steps into His mercy, and will fulfill my desire, forgiving my sins.” So, when Boniface left, he thought to himself on the way, saying: “Since I intend to carry the relics of the holy martyrs, I must not touch meat or take wine, since I am also unworthy and a sinner.” And raising his eyes to heaven, he said: “Master God, Father of Your Only Begotten Son, give me help, improve my path, which I follow in search of them, so that Your Holy Name may be glorified forever. Amen". And, having completed the prayer, he continued on his way. Therefore, having entered the city of Tarsus and having learned that the holy martyrs of Christ were struggling for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Bonifatius] said to his companions: “Brothers, as we go, let us find an inn, and there give rest to the animals; I’m going to look at the kind witnesses [of the Faith of Christ], whom I love very much.” Having come to the people's assembly, he saw the holy witnesses [of Christ] in torment. One was hanging upside down over the fire; another is disfigured; another is stretched out on four trees; another was sawed up by the executioner; another with his arms and legs twisted backwards, and thus was hit by the executioners with handles and sticks; another had his hands and feet cut off, and was left that way. And such tortures were generally a fierce darkness for the curious: it is more correct to say that in them one could see the devil being defeated, and the servants of God being crowned. When Boniface approached, he began to kiss the holy witnesses [of Christ] who were in torment - twenty men - and, raising his voice, said: “Great is the Christian God! Great is the God of the holy martyrs! I beg you, servants of Christ, to pray to God for me, so that I too may become an accomplice in your exploits against the devil!” And, falling at the feet of the holy martyrs, he hugged them, kissing them and saying: “Strive, sufferers of Christ and martyrs, and trample on the devil! Be patient a little so that you may receive the crown. Little is the work, and much is the peace: the torture is short, and the aftermath is inexpressible. On earth the body is tortured by executioners, and in the next century it is glorified by the Angels.” The ruler turned his gaze to the crowd and, seeing him, said: “Who is this who does not show us respect and says such things about the gods? Bring him to our trial." And the ruler asked him: “Tell me who you are; for you have rejected [our] judgment.” Saint Boniface answered: “I am a Christian and, having the Lord Christ, I reject you and your judgment.” The boss said: “Tell me, what’s your name?” He answered: “I already told you that I am a Christian. If you want to know my name [given to me by my parents], then I am called Boniface.” The chief said: “Before I [give the command] to touch your flesh, proceed and make a sacrifice to the gods!” Boniface answered: “I already told you that I am a Christian! I am Christ's servant, and I do not sacrifice to demons. So, if you want to do anything, do it quickly. My body is presented to you." The ruler, angry, ordered him to be hanged upside down and diligently planed. And his tormentors scourged him so much that his bones were exposed. The holy martyr did not answer this, but fixed his eyes on the [other] holy martyrs. And the ruler ordered to stop his torture. After an hour, the boss says to him: “Make a sacrifice, unfortunate one, and have pity on yourself!” The saint answered: “Are you not ashamed, most criminal, telling me to make a sacrifice, who cannot even bear to hear about empty and lost idols?” And becoming furious, the ruler ordered sharp needles to be prepared and stuck under his [, Boniface,] nails. But the saint, looking up to heaven, calmly endured the pain. When the ruler saw that Boniface did not feel torment, he ordered his lips to be opened and molten tin poured into them. The blessed fighter of Christ, looking up to heaven, prayed, saying: “I thank You, Master Jesus Christ, Son of God, and I pray, come to strengthen me, and make these my labors easier, and do not allow me to yield to this nasty ruler! You know that I suffer so much for Your Holy Name.” And, having completed the prayer, Boniface cried out to the holy martyrs, saying: “I beg you, servants of Christ, pray for me to Christ, for whose sake I struggle!” And the saints said with one voice: “Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself will send His Angel and deliver you from this most vile judge, so that you may complete your course in the Lord.” And when they said this, the tin cooled down and did not harm the saint at all. And there was an exclamation of the multitude, speaking with one voice: “Great is the God of Christians! Great is the God of His servants. Son of God, save us! For we all believe in You and resort to You.” And all the people rose up, and crushed the judgment seat, and stoned the ruler. The chief, seeing the excitement, got up and left, fearing the crowd. In the morning, sitting down again in the judge’s seat, he ordered the saint to be brought. When he appeared before him, the judge turned to him: “Why, pathetic one, are you so furious, having your hope in a Man, in Him crucified by the Jews as a villain?” The holy martyr of Christ said: “Shut your wicked lips and do not open them, darkened in mind 4: After all, my Lord Jesus Christ endured this, wanting to save the human race.” The ruler, angry, ordered the cauldron to be filled with resin and, having melted the resin, the saint was thrown into it upside down. The holy martyr of Christ, having performed the sign of Christ 5, was thrown into the cauldron: but the Angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, touched the cauldron, and it immediately collapsed like wax and burned about fifty wicked men. Then the commander, fearing the power of Christ, was amazed at the courage of the martyr and ordered his head to be cut off with a sword, saying: “He who did not obey either the king’s laws or obeyed my orders, our authority commands to suffer the punishment of beheading.” The accompanying soldiers took him away from the judgment seat with all haste. The holy martyr of Christ asked his tormentors to give him a short time to pray. And turning to the east, he prayed, saying: “Lord God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, help Thy servant, and accept my soul in peace. May the nasty and bloodthirsty serpent not hinder me; Let him not strike me in his wickedness; May he not deceive me in his lies because of the sins I have committed in this life. But rest me together with Your holy martyrs and deliver Your people from all sorrow. For to You is due glory and worship forever. Amen". And when he finished the prayer, he was beheaded by the executioner, and blood and milk came out of his wound, so that everyone raised their voices and exclaimed: “Glory to Thee, Jesus Christ, who gives such grace to those who love Thee!” And many men believed in the Lord. Boniface’s friends went around [the city] and looked for him. And not finding it, they began to talk to each other: “He is now probably reclining and having fun in an indecent house or in a tavern, and we go around in vain and look for him everywhere.” While they were thinking this way, they happened to meet Brother Commentarius 6 and asked him: “Have you seen a stranger here [from Rome]?” The same one answered: “[Yesterday] a certain stranger suffered for Christ and was beheaded.” They asked him: “Where is he?” “On the lists,” he answered. Then [he himself, in turn] asks them: “What are his signs?” They described him: "He is short, has red hair, wears a short cloak." “Perhaps he is the one you are looking for,” he told them, “who was [recently] martyred here.” They did not believe it and told him: “The one we are looking for is a libertine and a drunkard, and this, as we know, does not make a martyr!” But the commentator’s brother said to them: “Why don’t you go to the lists yourself and look at him?” Hearing this, they followed him to the place where the fight was taking place, and he showed them his body lying there. And the young slaves said to him: “We ask you, show us his head.” And, going away, he brought them the head of the martyr. The face of the saint 7, seeing his comrades, smiled at them in the Holy Spirit: and recognizing him, his friends mourned him bitterly and said: “Do not hold it against us that we have spoken so much against you, servant of Christ!” Then they said to the chief: “This is the one we are looking for, but we ask you, give him to us!” To which the chief answered them: “I can’t give you the relics for nothing.” And, having given him enough gold, they took the relics of the holy martyr Boniface, anointing him with various incense and wrapping him in shrouds, placed him in the ark, and set off on their way, rejoicing and glorifying God about the accomplishment of the 8th holy martyr. The angel of the Lord [at this time] appeared to his mistress Aglaida, saying: “Receive once your servant, now the martyr of Christ and our brother and co-servant: accept him as a master and rest him with dignity: for for his sake all your sins will be forgiven.” And Aglaida rose with trepidation, summoned the venerable clergy, and with prayers and wax candles went to meet the relics of the saint. And she placed them at a distance of fifty stadia from the city of Rome, building a house of prayer worthy of his suffering, in which to this day demons are driven away and all illnesses are driven out by the prayers of the holy martyr Boniface. Blessed Aglaida renounced the world, and distributed all her property to the poor, and devoted herself, along with her maidservants, to chastity and abstinence, and became so honest that she received from God the grace to cast out demons. Having lived in ascetic labors for fifteen years, she died 9. After all, the holy martyr interceded for her, worthily laboring for the glory of Christ our true God, to Whom be glory and power with His beginningless Father and with His All-Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Λόγος εἰς τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ ἁγίου μεγαλομάρτυρος Βονιφατίου. Ephraem Syrus Sermo in martyrium sancti Bonifatii magni martyris (e cod. 4887.767 Monasterii Iviron in Monte Athonis, fol. 44v). K.G. Phrantzoles, Ὁσίου Ἐφραὶμ τοῦ Σύρου ἔργα, vol. 7. Thessalonica: To Perivolitis Panagias, 1998, pp. 187–198. See: Bugaevsky A.V. Boniface of Rome // Orthodox Encyclopedia. – M.: Orthodox Encyclopedia, 2000 -; T. 9, 2005. pp. 321–323. “For whoever does not expect the Resurrection and does not believe in it, it would have been better for him not to have been born. What shall I call you, darkened in mind? St. Ephraim the Syrian. “About those who claim that there is no Resurrection.” Commentarius was the commander of prisons in the Roman Empire and a clerk in trials who carried out preliminary investigations of the accused, especially Christian martyrs. ...Seven days, until the day ends, the day of your completion. On the seventh day of the week, finish your hands (Lev.8:1). In the Lives of the Saints, St. Demetrius of Rostov speaks of the 18 years spent by Aglaida in repentance. Metaphrastus is the same as St. Ephraim, says about 15 years (PG. 115. P. 257).