Seven Sleepers of Ephesus

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Seven Sleepers of Ephesus

Seven Sleepers of Ephesus , in a Christian version of a widespread story, martyrs immured in a cave near Ephesus during the persecutions by Decius (c.250). Long afterward, in the 5th cent., they awoke (as from sleep) and were taken before Theodosius II, Roman emperor of the east. Their story reassured the emperor, who had been wavering in his faith. The youths returned to their cave, to sleep again until Judgment. The story, thought to be of Syrian origin, was popularized by Gregory of Tours. Feast: July 27.

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"Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 1, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-SevenSle.html

"Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved December 01, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-SevenSle.html

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Seven Sleepers of Ephesus

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. Seven Christian young men who are said to have been walled up in a cave during the Decian persecution (c.250) and to have been awakened under the Emp. Theodosius II (d. 450). Feast day, 27 July.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (December 1, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SevenSleepersofEphesus.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved December 01, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SevenSleepersofEphesus.html

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Seven Sleepers of Ephesus

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions 1997, originally published by Oxford University Press 1997. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. The heroes of a romance which was popular among both Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages. In the story, seven Christian young men take refuge from the persecution of the emperor Decius (249–51) in a cave near Ephesus, fall asleep and reawaken under the Christian emperor Theodosius II (408–50). They become proof of the resurrection of the dead. The grotto of the Seven Sleepers in Ephesus was an important Christian pilgrimage place until the Islamic conquest of Asia Minor in the 15th cent. Muslims located the story and tomb in various places, including a different Ephesus (Afsūs) which was within Arab territory from the 7th cent.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (December 1, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SevenSleepersofEphesus.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved December 01, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SevenSleepersofEphesus.html

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