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Episode 035: St Domicos
St Domicos
On the 27th day of the Coptic month of Baramhat we celebrate the life of St Domicos.
During a time of peace between Persia and Rome, King Sapor of Persia travelled to pay tribute to the lover of God, Emperor Constantine. A dispute took place between Emperor Julian and Sapor, king of Persia. Sapor prepared an army to fight the Romans. Julian offered sacrifices to his idols in the city of Cassius, which was about six miles from Antioch where the temple of Apollon was. Julius went along with magicians, sorcerers and an army to meet the Persians. On his way he passed by an isolated place, where he saw a multitude of men, women, and children.
When he asked about this multitude they told him: "A monk who lives in a cave in this place, performs miracles and heals the sick. The multitudes that you see are the Christians that came to get his blessing and be cured of their various illnesses." Julian became enraged and sent a soldier to to confront this monk called Domicos. The soldier threatened the monk saying: "If you are living in this cave to please God so why are you seeking the gratitude of men? Why don't you hide yourself from them?" Domicos replied, "I have given my soul and body to the hands of the creator of heaven and earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and spent many years in seclusion in this cave. As for those who come to me with a strong faith, I can not dismiss them." When the Emperor heard his answer, he ordered his soldiers to seal the mouth of the cave with a wall, sealing Domicos inside where he delivered up his soul in the year 362 AD.
Lessons from this story
This is perhaps the shortest detail of a saint’s life we have come across so far. Which is a tribute to the humility of this Saint’s life. But his account, or that is to say, the miracles and wonders he performed in the name of Jesus Christ are what led us to know his story.
Faith is accepting something at face value, even when there is not strong evidence to prove or disprove. With so little detail available today about this saint’s life, his miracles performed and the multitude of lives brought to Christ by his service is unknown. But the year this took place, it is very likely truthful and accurate.
We may never know the true impact our lives have had over others. How we react in times of crisis, trials and tribulations may have a tremendous impact on those around us without us ever knowing. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15) Our faith in God is infectious, and when we demonstrate that faith even in the midst of our darkest hours can this light shine for others to see.
Saint Domicos did not seek fame, only complete servitude to the Will of God. And the fame the soldier saw with human eyes, as mentioned in this story, was not glory to the monk but to Jesus. So in truth, the torturous death laid against this monk by the passing emperor, the sealing of the cave, was actually a relief to the humble monk. For all we know, this may have even been in answer to a prayer by the monk.
Prayer
God help us in our struggle with this world to ever keep our eyes on you and the eternal prize that awaits those who persevere in your name. May the prayers and intercessions of this humble Saint Domicos be with us always, amen.
On the 27th day of the Coptic month of Baramhat we celebrate the life of St Domicos.
During a time of peace between Persia and Rome, King Sapor of Persia travelled to pay tribute to the lover of God, Emperor Constantine. A dispute took place between Emperor Julian and Sapor, king of Persia. Sapor prepared an army to fight the Romans. Julian offered sacrifices to his idols in the city of Cassius, which was about six miles from Antioch where the temple of Apollon was. Julius went along with magicians, sorcerers and an army to meet the Persians. On his way he passed by an isolated place, where he saw a multitude of men, women, and children.
When he asked about this multitude they told him: "A monk who lives in a cave in this place, performs miracles and heals the sick. The multitudes that you see are the Christians that came to get his blessing and be cured of their various illnesses." Julian became enraged and sent a soldier to to confront this monk called Domicos. The soldier threatened the monk saying: "If you are living in this cave to please God so why are you seeking the gratitude of men? Why don't you hide yourself from them?" Domicos replied, "I have given my soul and body to the hands of the creator of heaven and earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and spent many years in seclusion in this cave. As for those who come to me with a strong faith, I can not dismiss them." When the Emperor heard his answer, he ordered his soldiers to seal the mouth of the cave with a wall, sealing Domicos inside where he delivered up his soul in the year 362 AD.
Lessons from this story
This is perhaps the shortest detail of a saint’s life we have come across so far. Which is a tribute to the humility of this Saint’s life. But his account, or that is to say, the miracles and wonders he performed in the name of Jesus Christ are what led us to know his story.
Faith is accepting something at face value, even when there is not strong evidence to prove or disprove. With so little detail available today about this saint’s life, his miracles performed and the multitude of lives brought to Christ by his service is unknown. But the year this took place, it is very likely truthful and accurate.
We may never know the true impact our lives have had over others. How we react in times of crisis, trials and tribulations may have a tremendous impact on those around us without us ever knowing. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15) Our faith in God is infectious, and when we demonstrate that faith even in the midst of our darkest hours can this light shine for others to see.
Saint Domicos did not seek fame, only complete servitude to the Will of God. And the fame the soldier saw with human eyes, as mentioned in this story, was not glory to the monk but to Jesus. So in truth, the torturous death laid against this monk by the passing emperor, the sealing of the cave, was actually a relief to the humble monk. For all we know, this may have even been in answer to a prayer by the monk.
Prayer
God help us in our struggle with this world to ever keep our eyes on you and the eternal prize that awaits those who persevere in your name. May the prayers and intercessions of this humble Saint Domicos be with us always, amen.
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By St John Chrysostom Coptic OCSt Domicos
On the 27th day of the Coptic month of Baramhat we celebrate the life of St Domicos.
During a time of peace between Persia and Rome, King Sapor of Persia travelled to pay tribute to the lover of God, Emperor Constantine. A dispute took place between Emperor Julian and Sapor, king of Persia. Sapor prepared an army to fight the Romans. Julian offered sacrifices to his idols in the city of Cassius, which was about six miles from Antioch where the temple of Apollon was. Julius went along with magicians, sorcerers and an army to meet the Persians. On his way he passed by an isolated place, where he saw a multitude of men, women, and children.
When he asked about this multitude they told him: "A monk who lives in a cave in this place, performs miracles and heals the sick. The multitudes that you see are the Christians that came to get his blessing and be cured of their various illnesses." Julian became enraged and sent a soldier to to confront this monk called Domicos. The soldier threatened the monk saying: "If you are living in this cave to please God so why are you seeking the gratitude of men? Why don't you hide yourself from them?" Domicos replied, "I have given my soul and body to the hands of the creator of heaven and earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and spent many years in seclusion in this cave. As for those who come to me with a strong faith, I can not dismiss them." When the Emperor heard his answer, he ordered his soldiers to seal the mouth of the cave with a wall, sealing Domicos inside where he delivered up his soul in the year 362 AD.
Lessons from this story
This is perhaps the shortest detail of a saint’s life we have come across so far. Which is a tribute to the humility of this Saint’s life. But his account, or that is to say, the miracles and wonders he performed in the name of Jesus Christ are what led us to know his story.
Faith is accepting something at face value, even when there is not strong evidence to prove or disprove. With so little detail available today about this saint’s life, his miracles performed and the multitude of lives brought to Christ by his service is unknown. But the year this took place, it is very likely truthful and accurate.
We may never know the true impact our lives have had over others. How we react in times of crisis, trials and tribulations may have a tremendous impact on those around us without us ever knowing. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15) Our faith in God is infectious, and when we demonstrate that faith even in the midst of our darkest hours can this light shine for others to see.
Saint Domicos did not seek fame, only complete servitude to the Will of God. And the fame the soldier saw with human eyes, as mentioned in this story, was not glory to the monk but to Jesus. So in truth, the torturous death laid against this monk by the passing emperor, the sealing of the cave, was actually a relief to the humble monk. For all we know, this may have even been in answer to a prayer by the monk.
Prayer
God help us in our struggle with this world to ever keep our eyes on you and the eternal prize that awaits those who persevere in your name. May the prayers and intercessions of this humble Saint Domicos be with us always, amen.
On the 27th day of the Coptic month of Baramhat we celebrate the life of St Domicos.
During a time of peace between Persia and Rome, King Sapor of Persia travelled to pay tribute to the lover of God, Emperor Constantine. A dispute took place between Emperor Julian and Sapor, king of Persia. Sapor prepared an army to fight the Romans. Julian offered sacrifices to his idols in the city of Cassius, which was about six miles from Antioch where the temple of Apollon was. Julius went along with magicians, sorcerers and an army to meet the Persians. On his way he passed by an isolated place, where he saw a multitude of men, women, and children.
When he asked about this multitude they told him: "A monk who lives in a cave in this place, performs miracles and heals the sick. The multitudes that you see are the Christians that came to get his blessing and be cured of their various illnesses." Julian became enraged and sent a soldier to to confront this monk called Domicos. The soldier threatened the monk saying: "If you are living in this cave to please God so why are you seeking the gratitude of men? Why don't you hide yourself from them?" Domicos replied, "I have given my soul and body to the hands of the creator of heaven and earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and spent many years in seclusion in this cave. As for those who come to me with a strong faith, I can not dismiss them." When the Emperor heard his answer, he ordered his soldiers to seal the mouth of the cave with a wall, sealing Domicos inside where he delivered up his soul in the year 362 AD.
Lessons from this story
This is perhaps the shortest detail of a saint’s life we have come across so far. Which is a tribute to the humility of this Saint’s life. But his account, or that is to say, the miracles and wonders he performed in the name of Jesus Christ are what led us to know his story.
Faith is accepting something at face value, even when there is not strong evidence to prove or disprove. With so little detail available today about this saint’s life, his miracles performed and the multitude of lives brought to Christ by his service is unknown. But the year this took place, it is very likely truthful and accurate.
We may never know the true impact our lives have had over others. How we react in times of crisis, trials and tribulations may have a tremendous impact on those around us without us ever knowing. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15) Our faith in God is infectious, and when we demonstrate that faith even in the midst of our darkest hours can this light shine for others to see.
Saint Domicos did not seek fame, only complete servitude to the Will of God. And the fame the soldier saw with human eyes, as mentioned in this story, was not glory to the monk but to Jesus. So in truth, the torturous death laid against this monk by the passing emperor, the sealing of the cave, was actually a relief to the humble monk. For all we know, this may have even been in answer to a prayer by the monk.
Prayer
God help us in our struggle with this world to ever keep our eyes on you and the eternal prize that awaits those who persevere in your name. May the prayers and intercessions of this humble Saint Domicos be with us always, amen.