Saint Ephraim, born Konstantinos Morphis, was born in Trikala on September 14, 1384 AD. in an idyllic location, near the Litheos river. He was orphaned by his father at an early age along with his other seven siblings, and their care, after God, was taken over by his pious mother.
At the age of 14, in order to avoid conversion to Islam and the janissary bodies, he entered the then flourishing Stauropigian Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Mount of the Immaculate (Cathars) in Attica.
Saint Ephraim he followed Christ with devout zeal, and excelled with the splendor of his life and the pains of his sport in the Serenity of the Immaculate Attica (Nea Makris Region). He still deserved to receive the great Mystery of the Priesthood and the gift of serving the holy altar, like an angel of God, with the fear of God and much zeal.
In 1416 AD the Turks invaded and looted Attica and forced the Duke of Athens to submit to the Sultan. In 1424 AD the Turks violently invaded the Monastery of the Annunciation and slaughtered all the Fathers of the Monastery. The Saint was absent in his cave on the mountain for prayer and as soon as he returned he saw the corpses of the Fathers in fear. After burying them, he then mourned loudly.
The following year, on September 14, 1425 AD, the barbarians returned and found the Saint. He was arrested and his martyrdom began, which ended on May 5, 1426 AD. day Tuesday at 9 o'clock in the morning. They hung him upside down on a tree that is still alive, nailed him to the legs and head, and finally pierced his astonished and martyred body with a burning stick and thus handed over his holy soul to the crowned Christ.
After half a millennium the benevolent God prospered and revealed, after many appearances of St. Ephraim himself and many other miraculous events, all that we know today, which were confirmed by the finding of the martyrdom and graceful relics of the Saint on January 3, 1950. Χ.
When do we honor the Saint?
Saint Ephraim is celebrated twice a year, on January 3, the finding of his relics, and on May 5, his martyrdom.
In Trikala, he is celebrated by the Holy Church of Agios Stefanos, opposite which, according to tradition, was his father's house.
In 2011 AD the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople with No. 217/2-3-2011 Patriarchal and Synodal Act included Saint Ephraim in the official orthodox calendar.
Holy Relics:
The Saint's Relics are located in the Monastery of Amomo (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary), Nea Makris, Attica.
Ἀπολυτίκιον
Ἦhos a΄. Citizen of the desert.
On the Mount of the Immaculate Conception you shone like the sun, and in martyrdom, theobearer, you brought to God, barbarians you are subject to raids, Ephraim Great Martyr of Christ; for this you pour out grace, hail, to the reverend boosi; glory to the god of strength, glory to thee astosandi, glory to the active for you, all are healed.
From the afternoon of Thursday 04/05/2023 until the evening of Sunday 07/05/2023, the relics of Saints Ephraim of Nea Makri and Virgin Bishop Lampsakos will be exposed for worship at the Holy Church of Panagiotissa. Every day the Temple will be open from 7 am to 9 pm.
Read more at Famagusta.News https://famagusta.news/local/stin-ekklisia-tis-panagiotissas-ta-leipsana-ton-agion-efraim-neas-makris-kai-partheniou-episkopou-lampsakou/
Source: ekklisiaonline.gr/