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Haralampus of Magnesia

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[[Image:Haralampos.jpg|right|frame|Icon of Saint Charalampus at Skete.com]]The holy, glorious, right-victorious [[martyr]] '''Charalampus''' (or '''Haralambos''') was a [[priest]] (Greek tradition) or [[bishop]] (Russian tradition) in the city of Magnesia in Thessaly during the late second and early third century. He was martyred, having openly preached the [[Gospel]] during persecutions during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. His feast is commemorated on [[February 10]].
==LifeMartyrdom==Haralambos Charalampus is a most wonderful [[saint ]] who lived to a very old age. He was 113 when he was tortured and later martyred. The emperor was Emperor Severus and he had appointed Lucian as the governor of the territory of Magnesia where Haralambos Charalampus was a priest. Lucian was upset that Haralambos Charalampus was [[conversion|converting ]] so many pagans. He had him arrested and commanded him to honor the stone gods. Well, Since he could would not do this so , Lucian began to torture him. They used a tool that would flay the skin and they cut his skin to shreds. All the while, Haralambos is giving Charalampus gave thanks to our Lord. His strength amazed the executioners and they were converted. Th The military commander, Lucius, was angry and had his two officers Porphyrios and Vaptos beheaded. There were three Three other women who were also converted , and they were also killed. Then miraculously , the generals general's hands were severed at the elbow and he saw them hanging from the the martyr's body. Fear spread throughout the city. People began to beg mercy from the God Haralambos Charalampus professed. The general begged for mercy from HaralambosCharalampus. The Lord's voice was heard and instantly all those injured were healed. The General general was converted and [[baptism|baptized]]. The Governor Lucian stopped persecuting the Christians until he could report back to the emperor. Meanwhile Haralambos was performing , Charalampus performed many miracles[[miracle]]s, healing the sick, curing the blind, and even raising some from the dead. The whole region came to believe in [[Jesus Christ. Severus, when he heard about this from Lucian, was outraged and sent in three hundred troops to arrest Haralambos and drive spikes into his spine. They were to drag him from Magnesia to a nearby town. But after they had dragged him about a mile and a half, two of the soldiers horses began talking to the soldiers in a great voice calling them minions of the devil. The horse said to free Haralambos least they be harmed. This frightened them and they stopped the torture]].
The devilSeverus, when he heard about this from Lucian, was outraged and sent in the guise of an old man, came three hundred troops to Severus and told him that Haralambos was a magician arrest Charalampus and had captured drive spikes into his whole armyspine. At this time Haralambos was brought They were to drag him from Magnesia to Severusa nearby town. He ordered that a skewer be made to pierce his chest so But after they could hang had dragged him over about a mile and a fire. There were half, two witnesses to this torture by fire. One was of the emperorsoldiers's concubine and horses began talking to the other her sister. They assisted with soldiers in a great voice calling them minions of the torturedevil. The sister could not tolerate this torture of such a good man and begged for Haralambos horses said to receive her as a Christianfree Charalampus lest they be harmed. The fire died out This frightened them and Haralambos was untouched by itthey stopped the torture.
The emperor was frustrated and brought Haralambos devil, in for his questioning. He brought a person who had been tormented by a demon for thirty six years the guise of an old man, came to see if Haralambos could exorcise this demon. This he did. Severus was amazed and exclaimed "Truly, great is the God of the Christians." The emperor then brought before told him that Charalampus was a lad who magician and had been dead for three days and the lad was resurrected by the prayers of Haralamboscaptured his whole army. All gathered were converted. Severus' prefect Crispus At this time Charalampus was angered and asked that the emperor put Haralambos brought to deathSeverus. Again Haralambos refused the demands of Severus to honor his gods and the emperor He ordered that a skewer be made to pierce his face be crushed with stoneschest so they could hang him over a fire. Once they bashed his face with stones, they There were two witnesses to apply torches to burn his beard and facethis torture by fire. When they applied One was the fire, the flames leapt forth emperor's concubine and spread, burning those present instead. The emperor remembered the words of the wise old man who had told him that Haralambos was a sorcererother her sister. Severus asked his deputies about who is They assisted with the Christ. Aristtarchos stepped up to tell the truth about Jesus Christtorture. The emperor angered, declared war on heaven challenging Christ to come down from heaven so he sister could fight him. He exclaimed, "Come down O christ to earth, that we might fight. Behold, my army will war against Thee, If thou will not come down, I will pull down tolerate the firmament torture of such a good man and extinguish the sun!!" At this moment there was begged for Charalampus to receive her as a great earthquakeChristian. In some way, Severus The fire died out and Crispus were suspended in midairCharalampus was untouched by it.
The emperor's daughterwas frustrated and brought Charalampus in for his questioning. He brought a person who had been tormented by a demon for 36 years to see whether Charalampus could [[exorcism|exorcise]] this demon. This he did. Severus was amazed and exclaimed, Galeenee"Truly, enters great is the God of the picture. She begs her father to believe in Christ and ask that Christ deliver him from punishmentChristians. " She The emperor then venerated brought before him a lad who had been dead for three days, and the lad was resurrected by the saint [[prayer]]s of Charalampus. All gathered were converted. Severus' prefect Crispus was angered and asked that the punishment emperor put Charalampus to death. Again Charalampus refused the demands of Severus to honor his gods and the emperor ordered that his face be stopped and it didcrushed with stones. The two retreated Once they bashed his face with stones, they were to apply torches to their palace for three daysburn his beard and face. Meanwhile his daughter had a vision of paradise and that When they applied the fire, the guardian carried her flames leapt forth and set her down next to a cedar treespread, burning those present instead. Haralambos explained to here The emperor remembered the words of the wise old man who had told him that this Charalampus was a sorcerer. Severus asked his deputies about who is the Paradise promised by Christ and the one who had placed her next . Aristarchos stepped up to tell the tree was truth about Jesus Christ . The emperor, angered, declared war on heaven, challenging Christ to come down from heaven so he could fight him. He exclaimed, "Come down, O Christ, to earth, that we may fight. Behold, my army will war against thee; if thou will not come down, I will pull down the firmament and that she had extinguish the sun!" At this vision because of her belief moment there was a great earthquake. In some way, Severus and Crispus were suspended in Christmidair.
After thirty days, the The emperor again summoned the priest's daughter, asking him again to honor the commands of the emperorGalina, and he again refused. This time Severus had his men place a hoses bit in Haralambos' mouth as if he was an irrational beast. His daughter Galeenee begged her father to stop this torture. But he did not listen to her believe in Christ and Haralambos was paraded through the streets as a beast of burdenask that Christ deliver him from punishment. Galeenee was relentless and She then [[veneration|venerated]] the emperor turned to her saint and asked her if she worshiped that the godspunishment of Severus be stopped and it was. She told him that she didThe two retreated to their palace for three days. Hearing this he released Haralambos elated that Meanwhile, his daughter had forsaken the God a vision of Haralambos.Galeenee then took Haralambos to the temple. He was silent. She them challenged the gods [[paradise]] and mocked their impotence. She took hold of that the statue of Apollo guardian carried her and pulled him set her down next to the ground along with thirty-four other stone statues of godsa cedar tree. Severus Charalampus explained to her that this was dismayed and ordered the Paradise promised by Christ, that they be rebuilt that very night so the Galileans would not mock him. He told the workers to tell them that they one who had risen from the dead. Galeenee again destroyed them. This time Severus went into a rage and chastised placed her but could not bring himself next to any punishment. He returned to harass Haralambos by assigning his to a widow. Thinking that this woman would corrupt Haralambosthe tree was Jesus Christ, instead many miracles were worked by him and that she was convertedhad this vision because of her belief in Christ.
This time Crispus demanded that Haralambos be beheaded. The After 30 days, the emperor pronounced again summoned the sentence. The saint chanted holy hymns on the way priest, asking him again to his execution. The event is describes as follows:He began to pray thus: " I ever give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, for thou are merciful and honor the Lover commands of mankind. Thou, O Almighty, hast cast down our enemy, the evilemperor, and taken Hades captive, and put death to death, thus delivering the race of manhe again refused. Remember me, O Lord, This time Severus had his men place a hose's bit in thy kingdomCharalampus' mouth as if he were an irrational beast." After he had prayed in His daughter Galina begged her father to stop this mannertorture, but he did not listen to her and Charalampus was paraded through the heavens opened. The Lord, with streets as a multitude beast of His angels, came downburden. It Galina was a spectacle full of wonderrelentless and the emperor turned to her and asked her whether she worshiped the gods. The Lord was seen to be sitting on a throne of pearl She told him that she did. He said to His holy priest and martyrHearing this, "Comehe released Charalampus, my pleasing and beloved one who, for My name's sake, suffered such ill-treatment and hardships. Ask elated that his daughter had forsaken the God of Me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreatyCharalampus."
Haralambos answered, "That Thou hast, by Thy grace, vouchsafed me, the lest person, Galina then took Charalampus to behold the awesome glory of Thy presence, this is, in itself, a tremendous gifttemple. But if it please thy goodness to command me to ask a gift of Thee, I beseech thy majesty and dominion to grant this favor: to whomever should find of possess a portion of my relics, and in whichsoever land he may be celebrating the memory of my martyrdom, may he never suffer from hunger or plague of pestilence or an untimely death or destruction from an evil man, or injury to cropsHe was silent. I pray that he be in firm peace, salvation of soul, She then challenged the gods and health of bodymocked their impotence. I entreat that he enjoy plenty She took hold of wheat, oil and wine, together with an abundance the statue of livestock Apollo and other good and useful possessions. And pulled him to whosoever should read the account ground along with 34 other stone statues of my martyrdom, and invoke my name, I supplicate for his salvation and that he should not suffer evilgods. Since thou knowest that men are but flesh and blood, Severus was dismayed and ordered that they are in be rebuilt that very night so the Thine immaculate hands, I beseech Thee for the forgiveness of their sinsGalileans would not mock him. Do Thou pardon He told the sins of such faithful ones, as Thou are good and the Lover of mankind. Do Thou also, O Lord, keep the oxen of such in health, and all their animals and livestock, workers to tell them that they may cultivate the earth and abundantly enjoy her fruits, to the glory of thy name." Haralambos then surrender his soul to had risen from the Lorddead. Severus in awe did not punish his daughter seeing that the God of the Christians was with herGalina again destroyed them.
==External link==*[http://ocafsThis time Severus went into a rage and chastised her but could not bring himself to any punishment.oca He returned to harass Charalampus by assigning him to a widow, thinking that this woman would corrupt Charalampus.org/FeastSaintsViewer Instead, he worked many miracles and she was converted.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100475 OCA biography]
This time Crispus demanded that Charalampus be beheaded. The emperor pronounced the sentence. The saint chanted holy [[hymn]]s on the way to his execution. He began to pray thus: "I ever give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, for thou are merciful and the Lover of mankind. Thou, O Almighty, hast cast down our enemy, the evil one, and taken Hades captive, and put death to death, thus delivering the race of man. Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom." After he had prayed in this manner, the heavens opened. The Lord, with a multitude of his [[angel]]s, came down. It was a spectacle full of wonder. The Lord was seen to be sitting on a throne of pearl. He said to his holy priest and martyr, "Come, my pleasing and beloved one, who, for my name's sake, suffered such ill-treatment and hardships. Ask of me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreaty."
 
Charalampus answered, "That thou hast, by thy grace, vouchsafed me, the least person, to behold the awesome glory of thy presence, is, in itself, a tremendous gift. But if it please thy goodness to command me to ask a gift of thee, I beseech thy majesty and dominion to grant this favor: to whomever should find or possess a portion of my [[relics]], and in whatsoever land he may be celebrating the memory of my martyrdom, may he never suffer from hunger or plague or pestilence or an untimely death or destruction from an evil man or injury to crops. I pray that he be in firm peace, salvation of soul, and health of body. I entreat that he enjoy plenty of wheat, oil, and wine, together with an abundance of livestock and other good and useful possessions. And to whomsoever should read the account of my martyrdom, and invoke my name, I supplicate for his salvation and that he should not suffer evil. Since thou knowest that men are but flesh and blood, and that they are in thine immaculate hands, I beseech thee for the forgiveness of their sins. Do thou pardon the sins of such faithful ones, as thou are good and the Lover of mankind. Do thou also, O Lord, keep the oxen of such in health, and all their animals and livestock, that they may cultivate the earth and abundantly enjoy her fruits, to the glory of thy name." Charalampus then surrendered his soul to the Lord. Severus, in awe, did not punish his daughter, seeing that the God of the Christians was with her.
 
==Relics==
A large fragment from the cranium of Charalampus was looked after in the template of St. George in old Iraklitsa, Greece. In 1922, it was moved to new Iraklitsa.<ref> [http://www.panagiairaklitsa.gr/english/Kara_Haralampous.html The Cranium of St. Haralambos]</ref> An even larger fragment of his cranium is preserved in the [[abbey]] of [[St Stephen Monastery (Meteora)|St. Stephanos]] in [[Meteora]]. It is worthy to note that within the sheath of the cranium, there was also discovered to be a 17th century cross.
 
==References==
<references />
 
==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100475 Hieromartyr Charalampus the Bishop of Magnesia in Thessaly] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=423 The Holy Hieromartyr Haralambos] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=February&day=10 The priestly-martyr Haralambos (Charalampus)] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
 
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:2nd-3rd-century bishops]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:3rd-century saints]]
 
[[ro:Haralambie]]
[[el:Χαράλαμπος, Άγιος]]
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