1 The Effect of the Martyrdoms
7If it were possible for us to paint the history of your piety as an artist might, would not those who beheld it shudder as they saw the mother of the seven children enduring their varied tortures to death for the sake of piety?
8Indeed, it would be proper to inscribe on their tomb these words as a reminder to the people of our nation:
9“Here lie buried an aged priest and an aged woman and seven children because of the violence of the tyrant who wished to destroy the way of life of the Hebrews.
10They vindicated their nation, looking to God and enduring torture even to death.”
11Truly the contest in which they were engaged was divine,
12for on that day virtue gave the awards and tested them for their endurance. The prize was immortality in endless life.
13 legislation? Who were not amazed?
17The tyrant himself and all his council marveled at their endurance,
18because of which they now stand before the divine throne and live the life of eternal blessedness.
19For Moses says, “All who are consecrated are under your hands.”
20These, then, who have been consecrated for the sake of God are honored not only with this honor but also by the fact that because of them our enemies did not rule over our nation,
212 Macc 9.5, 17, 28the tyrant was punished, and the homeland purified—they having become, as it were, a ransom for the sin of our nation.
22And through the blood of those pious ones and their death as an atoning sacrifice, divine Providence preserved Israel that previously had been mistreated.
23For the tyrant Antiochus, when he saw the courage of their virtue and their endurance under the tortures, proclaimed their endurance to his soldiers as an example,
24and this made them high-minded and courageous for infantry battle and siege, and he ravaged and conquered all his enemies.
Who We AreWhat We EelieveWhat We Do
2025 by iamachristian.org,Inc All rights reserved.
