E07546: Sophronius of Jerusalem, in his Miracles of the Saints Cyrus and John, recounts how *Kyros and Ioannes/Cyrus and John (physician and soldier, martyrs of Egypt, S00406) healed and converted two heretics, followers of the sect of Theodosius and Severus, at their shrine at Menouthis (near Alexandria, Lower Egypt). Written in Greek in Alexandria, 610/615.

Sophronius of Jerusalem, The Miracles of Saints Cyrus and John, 39

Summary:

There was a certain Petros from the village (ktema) of Herakleion which was located fourteen stadia from the sanctuary of the martyrs [Cyrus and John]. He was a follower of the sect of Theodosius and Severus. This man suffered severely from paralysis. He sought the martyrs’ aid and went to their temple. They appeared to him in a dream and asked him if he wanted to be delivered from the terrible disease. Since he nodded, they commanded him to get up and go to Jordan (which was the name of the baptismal pool given by the Alexandrians because the Saviour was baptised in the river Jordan for our redemption). He was then to wash his hands and by this gesture represent the consumption of the vivifying flesh and blood of Christ.

But the man said that this proposition was bad and cursed the Council of Chalcedon. The martyrs warned him that he would not regain his health and then they withdrew, bringing back his pains that they had calmed before. Petros, since he suffered terrivly, invoked the martyrs again. When they returned, they renewed their proposition, but this time also he rejected it. He did it not only twice or thrice, but many times he invoked their aid. Every time they came and offered the same, but he always dismissed them. At last, exhausted by enormous pains, he agreed to obey the martyrs’ orders. However, he asked them why they followed the beliefs of the Council of Chalcedon. They replied that the belief defined by the Council of Chalcedon was orthodox and it was a doctrine of divine inspiration. Petros who was already convicted by the severity of his pains, executed the martyrs’ orders and regained health as a salary for his piety.

Whereas Menas, an Alexandrian who was a secretary (notarios) of Christodoros, the manager of the sanctuary, shared the same heresy with Petros. He partook of communion after an overt flagellation. When he was sleeping, he saw that the saints were directing him towards the precious hierateion and the sacred table. When they saw, however, that he was not following them, they returned and, pummelling him, ordered that he obey their commands and communicate like them. However, despite many severe blows, he remained unpersuaded, the martyrs began to threaten him and eventually left him alone. Then he began to suffer as from true wounds which made him get up and take communion. Afterwards he was delivered from the pains.

Text: Fernández Marcos 1976, lightly modified in the light of Gascou 2007. Summary: J. Doroszewska.