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Saint Charalambos ((ギリシア語:Άγιος Χαράλαμπος)) (also variously Charalampus, Charalambos, Haralampus, Haralampos, Haralabos or Haralambos) was an early Christian bishop in Magnesia, a region of Asia Minor, in the diocese of the same name. His name ''Χαράλαμπος'' means ''glowing with joy'' in Greek. He lived during the reign of Septimius Severus (193-211), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. It is believed that at the time of his martyrdom in 202, Charalambos was 113 years old. ==Life and martyrdom== Charalambos was Bishop of Magnesia〔("Three Women Martyrs with St. Charalmpus in Thessaly", Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America )〕 and spread the Gospel in that region for many years. However, when news of his preaching reached the authorities of the area, the proconsul Lucian and military commander Lucius, the saint was arrested and brought to trial, where he confessed his faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifice to idols. Despite his advanced age, he was tortured mercilessly. They lacerated his body with iron hooks, and scraped all the skin from his body.〔 The saint had only one thing to say to his tormentors: "Thank you, my brethren, for scraping off the old body and renewing my soul for new and eternal life."〔 According to the saint's hagiography, upon witnessing Charalambos' endurance of these tortures, two soldiers, Porphyrius and Baptus, openly confessed their faith in Christ, for which they were immediately beheaded with a sword. Three women who were watching the sufferings of Charalambos also began to glorify Christ, and were quickly martyred as well.〔 The legend continues to say that Lucius, enraged, seized the instruments of torture and began to torture Charalambos himself, but suddenly his forearms were cut off as if by a sword. The governor Lucian then spat in the face of the saint, and immediately Lucian's head was turned around so that he faced backwards.〔 Apparently, Lucian and Lucius both prayed for mercy, and were healed by the saint, and became Christians. More tortures, the legend says, were wrought upon the saint after he was brought to Septimius Severus himself. Condemned to death and led to the place of execution, Charalambos prayed that God grant that the place where his relics would repose would never suffer famine or disease.〔 After praying this, the saint gave up his soul to God even before the executioner had laid his sword to his neck. Tradition says that Severus' daughter Gallina〔"Septimius Severus had no children, so the chronology of this traditional telling of Charalambos' life is somewhat suspect": (【引用サイトリンク】 publisher =The Mission of St. Clare )〕 was so moved by his death, that she was converted and buried Charalambos herself.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Saint Charalambos」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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