lowers in his household. Then, as often as they saw the evil emperor and all his citizens come together desiring to offer sacrifice to the devil, the Seven Saints went apart where they could, and then prostrated themselves on the earth, and prayed to God that He would help them as He would. Then it befell them that some spying men went amidst them and carefully observed these seven, whenever every man was sought for that he might sacrifice to the idol; and so they found these Seven Saints, holy youths, all together in a chamber praying to God, and with prostrated bodies sorrowfully complaining to Him of their needs; and they, those enemies of God, without dread immediately went unto the king, and spake thus to him; "Lord of the nations, our most beloved, may it be that thou mayest live long in mirth and in the glory of thy kingdom! Thou, oh dear king! dost command thy peoples, far and wide, that every man shall be admonished to offer to the great God; and here, nigh at hand, are those who should be thy favorites; they flee away from thyself, and despise thy hest, and they all daily offer sacrifice after the custom of Christian men. The chief of them is Maximianus, and his six companions, who are accounted the chiefest in this city." When the emperor heard this, then he became greatly disturbed in mind, and bade that they should be brought straightway to him; and immediately they came with eyes streaming because of the great anguish; all their heads were sprinkled with dust, yet all their affection was firm in their trust of the eternal Lord. Then he, the emperor, asked, and thus cried; " Why are ye separated from the society of your companions, that ye would not keep my command, that ye have not brought offerings to the great gods? But now I pray you, and command each of you, that ye zealously begin it, and very quickly fulfil it, and do it without evasion as I have commanded you, and as all men do widely throughout every nation."
Then one of the youths, the holy Maximianus, answered him alone for them all, and said to the emperor with intrepid voice; "We worship One Eternal Lord, whose might filleth the heavens
