St. Severian

Saint Severian was a Senator of Sebaste during the reign of EmperorLicinius (307-324). He was a very wealthy man who feared God anddedicated his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Inspiration to Serve Christ

After witnessing the killing of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, Severianwas inspired to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a devoutChristian. As an Imperial Counsellor, he was respected for his love forChrist and virtue.

Lifestyle

He dedicated his life to preaching the word of God. His teachingsconverted many pagans to Christianity. Imprisoned Christians were helpedby Severian who used his wealth to protect them.

Persecution

The new Provincial Governor, Lysias ordered the soldiers to arrestSeverian for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, Severianvoluntarily submitted himself for interrogation.

Lysias was amazed by the courage and endurance displayed by Severian inthe face of persecution. He was subjected to extreme torture, and thisdid not deter him from holding onto his faith. When he was being draggedto prison, he kept on preaching to the crowd that was following him. Hepreached the gospel of love and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

During the torture, he was hung, and his flesh was torn into shreds byiron claws to such an extent that Lysias felt sorry for him. He orderedthe torture to stop and sent him to prison.

Prison Fellowship

Severin found his incarceration as an opportunity to preach the Word ofGod to the prisoners. He preached the message of hope to prisoners andtaught them about Jesus Christ. Many prisoners converted toChristianity.

Upon hearing that Severian is preaching to prisoners, Lysias ordered theprison guards to put a rock in his mouth in a bid to silence him frompreaching. This did not deter him from expressing his faith in Christ.

Martyrdom

Lysias realised that no amount of torture could stop Severian’s faithin Jesus Christ. He then ordered the brutal killing of Severian by tyingbig stones around his neck and feet. They hung him on top of a wall byhis belt. In the middle of suffering, he kept on preaching to the crowdto repent and he told them that Jesus Christ is Lord.

People were amazed by the faith displayed by Severian. He was willing tolose his life for Jesus Christ. In the end, he gladly gave up his spiritto God in September, between 452 and 453AD.

Resurrection Power

When Severian’s servant died, his wife was left with no one to comforther. As she was preparing to go to the funeral of Severian, she spoke tothe body of her dead husband commanding him to wake up so that they mayattend Severian’s burial.

Miraculously, the man was resurrected to life. He hurried with his wifeto go assist at the Martyr’s funeral. People were amazed by thismiracle. The resurrected man went on to live for 15 more years.

Burial Site

Mourning Christians did not know where to bury the Martyr’s body. Allthey did was place a crown of flowers on the body and waited for amessage from heaven.

An eagle appeared from the sky and took the crown. It flew and droppedthe crown in a nearby forest. The eagle disappeared. The Martyr was thenburied at the site where the eagle dropped the crown of flowers.

Tomb of Miracles

Many miracles were performed at the tomb of Saint Severian. Theresurrected servant became the caretaker of that tomb until the end ofhis life.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Severian

1. According to St Nikodemus, the mysterious eagle returned many years
   later after the burial of St Severian to show Christians the forgotten
   location of the Saint’s burial site.
2. Tomb of St Severian became a source of miracles.
3. September 9 is the Feast Day for Christians celebrating the
   Martyrdom of St Severian.
4. St Severian’s devotion to Christianity was motivated by witnessing
   the brutal killing of Forty Martyrs of Sebaste whose crime was preaching
   the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer to St. Severian

Father, enable our mindsto rise to your ineffable dwelling place.Let us find the lightand direct the eyes of our soul to You.Dispel the mists and the opaquenessof the earthly mass,and shine out with Your splendor.You are the serene and tranquil abodeof those who persevere in their goal of seeing You.You are at the same time the beginning,the vehicle, the guide,the way and the goal.Amen.