What made this saint famous? With your strong faith. Victor became a martyr for Christ. He was not afraid to defend his faith before the pagans. He was not afraid of terrible torments, he patiently endured them. Received the crown of martyrdom.
Let's talk in detail about the life and exploits of St. Victor.
Who was he?
The martyr was a warrior. Served under Sebastian. It was a pagan warlord. Saint Victor also served in his army. The only thing known about his origin is that he was originally from Italy.
What did you suffer for?
The Holy Martyr Victor suffered for his faith in Christ, for professing Christianity and refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Memorial Day
When do Victors, baptized in honor of Victor of Damascus, celebrate their name day? November 24 is the day of remembrance of the martyr.
Icon
Before the icon of St. Victor they pray for healing. It helps with diseases of the hands, and will also help those who have problems with the skin and vision.
Speci althe veil of the holy martyr extends over the men baptized in his honor. They pray to him, asking for protection from enemies and dangers. Saint Victor also helps in finding reliable life partners.
Temple
Where can you pray to your patron saint Victor? In Kotelniki (Moscow region) ten years ago a temple was built in honor of the martyr. Divine services are performed in it, the temple itself is open daily. The main shrine is a particle of the relics of the martyr Victor.
The temple is located at: Kotelniki, Belaya Dacha microdistrict, 1st Pokrovsky passage, building 8.
Sunday liturgy in the temple starts at 8 o'clock. Confession - at 7:30.
The Life of Saint Victor
As mentioned above, the future martyr was a warrior. He served under the command of the governor Sebastian. The Saint lived during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. And so, one day the ruler issued a decree that said that every Roman Christian must renounce his faith and sacrifice to the pagan gods. Those who refuse to obey will be subjected to terrible torment.
Victor was a Christian. He openly confessed his faith, fearing nothing and no one. The decree also reached the voevoda Sebastian, who summoned Saint Victor to him. The governor wanted to put pressure on his subordinate and force him to renounce Christ. But the conversation began from afar. He spoke about the decree and suggested that the future martyr make a sacrifice to idols. But he refused. Then the governor reminded Victor that he was a warrior of the king and did not dare to disobey him. To which he replied that he- Warrior of the King of Heaven. And he will not renounce his faith. They can do whatever they want with his body. But his soul belongs to the Lord.
Sebastian got angry at Victor. He ordered the martyr's fingers to be broken and twisted out of their joints. However, the torture did not break the resolute mood of St. Victor. He courageously endured torment.
This angered the governor even more. He ordered to kindle the furnace and throw the martyr into it. Victor spent three days in the oven. When Sebastian decided to collect his ashes, he was very surprised to see the Saint alive and unharmed.
Voivode should stop there, understand the power of the Lord. But he didn't stop. This time, Sebastian gave the order to poison Victor. And the magician had to do it. He cooked a piece of meat, stuffed it with poison and gave it to the martyr. The saint crossed the piece and ate it. The poison had no effect on him. The sorcerer prepared another piece, stuffing it with the strongest poison. And he gave it to Victor with the words: "If you eat this meat and stay alive, I will leave the magic and believe in God."
Victor ate the offered piece. The poison did not harm the saint. The shocked sorcerer burned his magic books and believed in God.
Sebastian was ready to tear his hair out of anger. He commanded to pull the veins out of the martyr. And then throw Saint Victor into the boiling oil. But, according to the Saint himself, this oil was for him like cold water for a thirsty one. It didn't hurt Viktor.
Seeing that the Saint does not give up and continues to firmly believe in God, the governor gave the order for a new sophisticated torture. Now Victorhung on a tree and burned his body with candles. The saint accepted this torture courageously. To aggravate the torment, ashes mixed with vinegar were poured into Victor's throat. He compared this mixture to honey.
Sebastian's fury has reached its climax. He ordered the saint's eyes to be gouged out. The soldiers obeyed the order, and then hung Victor upside down. So the martyr hung for three days. On the fourth, the soldiers returned for his body. Seeing Victor alive, they were horrified. The soldiers were blinded, but the Saint fervently prayed to God that his tormentors would see the light. They, instead of believing, returned to the governor and told him about everything.
Sebastian went berserk with anger. He ordered that Victor's skin be torn off. And this torture became a turning point for the young martyr Stephanida. We will talk about it below.
How did the life of Saint Victor end? They cut off his head. Milk with blood flowed out of the body of the martyr. Seeing this miracle, many were horrified and believed in the Lord.
Before his execution, Victor predicted death to his tormentors, and captivity to the governor. It came true: the soldiers died in twelve days, as the saint prophesied. And Sebastian was captured twenty-four days after Victor's execution.
Saint Stephanis
Speaking of St. Victor, it is impossible not to talk about another saint. Victor's execution was the beginning of her martyrdom.
A young girl named Stephanida was a Christian. Despite her very young age (15 years), she was married to one of Sebastian's soldiers for more than a year. There was a vision at the execution of Victor Stefanide. Two angels descended from heaven with twomartyr's crowns. One is bigger for Victor, and the second one is smaller. It was intended for Stephanida.
Seeing this, the girl began to glorify the martyr Victor with a loud voice. Her words reached the governor. He ordered to bring Stephanida. And he began to persuade him to renounce Christ, to regret his youth and beauty, to sacrifice to the pagan gods for the sake of his pardon.
Stefanida was adamant. She openly testified before the governor about her faith, denouncing the pagan gods. And then Sebastian ordered the execution of the girl. The method of execution was terrible. She was tied to two bowed palm trees. One foot to one, the second to the other. And let go of the palm trees. Stephanide was torn in two. This is how the young martyr received her crown, having suffered for her faith.
Conclusion
The main purpose of the article is to tell readers about the holy martyr Victor. Who was he during his lifetime, how did he receive his crown. Recall the main aspects:
- Victor is originally from Italy and served as a warrior during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
- Openly professed faith in Christ. Refused to sacrifice to idols, not afraid of terrible torture.
- The martyr had to endure a red-hot furnace, eat poisoned meat. The veins were pulled out of it, the body was scorched with candles. Gouged out eyes, watered vinegar with ashes. In the end, Victor's head was cut off.
- St. Victor's Day is celebrated on November 24 (11).
