Память святого Севира 4188

In the country of Tudera 4189, between two mountains, in a valley called Interoclea, there was the Church of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Her presbyter was Sevier, a man of a wondrous and godly life. One of the local residents, having fallen ill and approaching death, hastily sent ambassadors to that presbyter to tell him to quickly come to him, confess his sins and absolve him from them before departing to death. At this time, Sevier was in his vineyard, where he was pruning the grapes. Having heard the request of the messengers, he said to them: “You go alone first, I’ll catch up with you soon.” But then, seeing that there were still a lot of grapes left to collect, he wanted to wait a little longer to collect what was left. Having finished his work, he set off on his way to the sick man. On the way, he was met by those who were with the patient, who told him: - Why, father, did you hesitate? But labor no more, for that man is already dead. Hearing this, the presbyter trembled with horror and began to cry bitterly, calling himself the murderer of the deceased. Without ceasing to cry, he reached the house where the body of the deceased lay and with tears fell to the ground in front of the bed, sobbing and hitting his head on the ground; at the same time, in the hearing of everyone who was there, he blamed himself for the death of that man. As he sobbed like this, the deceased suddenly came to life. Seeing this, those present were greatly surprised at the miracle that had happened and rejoiced at the resurrection of the deceased and wept with joy. Then they asked: -Where have you been? And how did your soul, separated from your body, return to it again? “Some Ethiopians 4190, very scary and proud, from whose nostrils and ears fire came, took me and dragged me into some dark places, full of horror and awe. But suddenly a bright young man appeared, walking towards us with other luminous men; turning to those who were dragging me, he said to them with authority: return him, since the presbyter Sevier is crying for him; For the sake of this man’s tears, the Lord again grants this dead man life in the body. Hearing such a story, Sevier rose from the ground with indescribable joy and gave thanks to God. Then, having taught the resurrected one how to bring repentance to God, he listened to his confession, resolving him from his sins, and communed the Divine Body and Blood of Christ. After that, the resurrected man lived for another seven days, constantly praying to God, and on the eighth day he joyfully surrendered to Him. So, let us know how God loved His presbyter Sevier; for He did not want to sadden him, but soon heard the saint’s prayer and did according to his desire. From here it is also revealed that Presbyter Sevier loved the Lord God with all his soul and worked diligently for Him throughout his entire life. Having served the Lord, he, at the end of his earthly feat, appeared before the throne of Divine glory, together with the faces of the saints, glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the One God in the Trinity, to Whom and from us be glory forever. Amen. This story is taken from the book of St. Grigory Dvoeslov (“Conversations”, chapter 12). This area was located in central Italy, in the province of Valeria, between the mountains of Reate and Ameterium. Ethiopians are often called dark spirits of evil in the sacred books, which are opposed to the bright angelic forces. You might be interested in: