Seven Sleepers

a legend originating in the early days of Christianity. According to tradition, seven noble Christian youths of Ephesus fled to a cave to escape persecution. The emperor, thinking to secure their death, sealed up the mouth of the cave. The young men fell immediately into a deep slumber. Two centuries later they were awakened accidentally by a countryman who opened the cave to make shelter for his cattle. Like Rip Van Winkle, they had no idea of the passage of time. Being pressed with hunger, they sent one of their number to the city to purchase bread. He was astonished to find the cross, the symbol of Christianity, in evidence everywhere. His ancient and decayed dress, strange language, and the antiquity of the coins offered in payment for bread attracted the attention of the baker. The latter ran to the magistrate with his story. The young man was carried before a judge, to whom he told the strange history of his life. The city magistrate, the bishop of Ephesus, and the emperor himself repaired to the cave where they found the other sleepers still bearing the bloom of youth. The young men related their experience, blessed the multitude, and expired.