One day, for some monastic needs, but more for the benefit of Christians, he went to the village of Vulgarini. On the way there, captured by the Hagarians, he was presented to the ruler of Larissa, with shameless slander that he was outraged by Christians. Therefore, the ruler first ordered to beat the saint severely, then, placing heavy chains on his neck and legs, throw him into prison; then the wicked barbarian continued to torture him continuously for 15 days, now inflicting cruel wounds on him, now frightening him, now caressing him and seducing him in every possible way, with the intention of forcing the courageous warrior of Christ to renounce Christ. But the tormentor was not able to persuade the martyr to this and, moreover, saw that he, despite all his torments, with courage denounces their faith in the false prophet, with much boldness preaches Christ as the true God and is ready for the sake of His love to endure countless torments; therefore, completely filled with anger, the tormentor ordered to immediately kill the martyr and burn his corpse.
The executioners immediately took him and hanged him, but the minute he was being pulled up, one of them hit him on the head with an iron; At that very moment it happened that the rope broke, and the martyr fell from a height to the ground, half dead. Then these damned ones threw him into the fire while still alive and burned him, and poured the ashes into the Pinion River. So the blessed Venerable Martyr Damian accepted the crown of martyrdom! Through his prayers may we all be delivered from the snares of the enemy and may we be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
The Holy Martyr Damian suffered in 1568, on February 23.
St. Damian of Esphigmen († 1280, commemorated February 23)
Our venerable father Damian remained silent near the monastery of Esphigmen, on a mountain called Samaria, and enjoyed the special friendship of St. Cosmas of Zografsky, as can be seen from his life. Blessed Damian was a true novice and a firm keeper of his father’s commandments: this is especially evident from the following. He had a commandment from his elder - never sleep outside his pot. One day he went to a confessor who lived near the Hilandar monastery, but, not finding him at home, he waited until the day was already approaching evening. Having completed his assignment, the saint went to his kaliva. And since it was already evening and the time was foggy and rainy, the brethren of that cell asked him to spend the night with them, but Damian, remembering the commandment of his elder, did not agree to their request and went to his kaliva, but due to the great rain and darkness he soon lost his way. Not knowing where he should go or where he was, the monk cried out from the depths of his soul: “Lord Jesus Christ, save me, I am perishing!” - and - lo and behold! - at the same time he somehow found himself in front of his pot.
After the dormition of the blessed one, until 40 days, an indescribable and so great fragrance emanated from his tomb that even below, in the Esphigmen monastery, almost half an hour away, the fathers felt it. Thus God glorified His saint for the godly purity and true height of his life! Through his prayers may we also be worthy to inherit eternal glory. Amen.
Kosma Zografsky (September 22, February 23)
Life see September 22.