E02774: The Greek Martyrdom of *Merkourios (soldier and martyr of Caesarea, S01293), of the 5th c. or later, recounts the legend of a soldier who excelled at war, having received a sword from an angel, and was promoted to general by the emperor Decius; he suffered martyrdom at Caesarea/Kaisareia of Cappadocia (central Asia Minor) after refusing to participate in a sacrifice. Probably written in Cappadocia.

Martyrdom of Merkourios (BHG 1274-1275)

Summary

1. When Decius/Dekios and Valerian reigned in Rome, they ordered everyone to sacrifice to the gods.

2. The imperial decree threatens offenders, especially Christians, with imprisonment and torture.

3. While Rome is perturbed by the decree, the barbarians start a war against the Romans, and the emperors prepare to campaign, inviting all cities to join their army. The numerus of the Martenses from Armenia Prima under the commander Satorninos joins the imperial campaign.

4. While Dekios follows the campaign, Valerian stays in Rome. The young man Merkourios of the Martenses has a vision of a huge man in white clothes, giving him a sword and encouraging him to attack the barbarians, but not to forget God. Merkourios wakes up, routes the barbarians and kills their king. The sword is stuck onto his hand by the blood.

5. Dekios makes Merkourios a general (stratelates in BHG 1274, stratopedarches/tribunus in BHG 1275), and starts his return to Rome, celebrating feasts at every single city on the way. The angel appears to Merkourios again, reminding him that he still has to struggle and suffer martyrdom for his God. Merkourios gives thanks to God and remembers his Christian parents. His father, Gordianos, was a primicerius of the Martenses. Merkourios realises that he has forgotten the Christian faith in which he was brought up, and weeps.

6. Dekios invites Merkourios to join him in offering a sacrifice to Artemis, but Merkourios refuses to attend and retires to his praetorium. A certain Katellos reports this to Decius who, incredulous, summons Merkourios.

7. Merkourios declares that he is ready to die naked, as when he was born into this world. He takes off the insignia of his dignity, namely the military cloak (chlamys) and belt, and confesses to being a Christian. Dekios is enraged but also amazed at the martyr’s courage and beauty, for he is young, blond and good looking. Merkourios has a vision in prison of an angel encouraging him.

8. Dekios interrogates Merkourios. His father, Gordianos, was a Scythian conscripted into the Martenses. Merkourios’ original name was Philopator, and he was given the name Merkourios when he joined the army.

9. Dekios has Merkourios stretched on four poles, and his body pierced by swords, while fire is burning underneath. His blood extinguishes the fire. Nearly dead, he is locked up in a room, but an angel heals his wounds.

10. Dekios summons him again and is amazed at the healing of his wounds.

11. The emperor orders that Merkourios’ cheeks be pierced by burning spears, but, instead of the smell of burning meat, a sweet fragrance comes off. Merkourios is then hanged upside down with a heavy stone hanging from his head. He is flogged and blood covers the ground.

12. Hastening to return to Rome, Dekios orders that Merkourios be taken and beheaded in Cappadocia. The soldiers bind the body of the saint, which is already cut into pieces, on a pack animal. Whenever they stop at an inn, they carefully lay it down to rest. They arrive at Caesarea, where Christ appears to Merkourios. On 25 November, he is beheaded.

13. After his death, his body becomes white like snow and very fragrant, causing many to believe in Christ. The body is buried on the spot of the saint’s martyrdom and performs miracles.