Solomonia

Holy Martyr Solomonia, mother of the seven Maccabean brothers, suffered in Judea in the year 166 before Christ, after seeing all her sons put to death for the Law of God.

In the year 166 B.C. there lived in Judea the aged Eleazar, a priest and teacher of the Law, comely in appearance and renowned for wisdom and piety. He was brought to the tyrant and pressed to eat swine's flesh, forbidden by God in the Old Law. Eleazar chose rather to die a glorious death for the Law of God than to keep, by transgressing it, a shameful life displeasing to God. In the great torments, when he was close to death, he said with a groan: "The Lord, Who has perfect knowledge, knows that I, having the power to escape death, accept harsh sufferings and bear them willingly in fear of God."

The seven disciples of Eleazar were seized also, the Maccabean brothers Abim, Antonin, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebon, Alim and Marcellus, with their mother, Solomonia. They were brought to the lawless king, who tried to force them to eat forbidden food. One, answering for all, said: "We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws." The king commanded that his tongue be cut out, his skin flayed and his hands and feet cut off before the other brothers and the mother. The young man, without limbs but still breathing, was thrown onto a huge red-⁠hot pan. When the first had died, the second was brought out, and he received the same death; at the end of his life he said: "You, tormentor, take from us the present life, but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for His laws, to everlasting life." When the third was tormented and they wished to cut out his tongue, he put it out at once and stretched out his hands without fear, saying manfully: "From God I received these, and for His laws I do not spare them, and from Him I hope to receive them again." Even the tormentors were amazed at the young man's courage. Then three more of the Maccabean brothers received a glorious martyr's end. To the seventh and youngest their holy mother, Solomonia, said: "I beg you, my child, look at heaven and earth, and know that God made all things out of nothing, and so too the race of men. Do not fear this murderer, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, that by God's mercy I may receive you again with your brothers." After her sons the mother died too, joyfully thanking God that she and her children had given their souls for the law of the Lord Almighty.

The saint is commemorated on 14 August, in the new style, with the seven Maccabees and their teacher Eleazar.