Saint Mercurius is an impressive figure in his icons, mounting on a horse, and holding two swords above his head. His story is an inspiration of courage, bravery, and faithfulness.
He was born at the beginning of the third century in the city of Rome, in a christian family and they named him Philopater, which is Greek for “Lover of the Father”.
When he grew up, he enlisted in the army, rising rapidly through the ranks, and he took the name Mercurius. His leadership, courage and loyalty was admired by all, even the Roman Emperor at the time, Decius. On the verge of a battle against an invading army of Berbers, Mercurius assured the emperor that the Roman army would win. Later that night, an angel of the Lord appeared to the saint, and presented him a shining sword of heavenly design. The angel told him the sword was from God, and it would lead him to victory in the battle against the Berbers. The angel also cautioned Mercurius that after the battle was won, to remember where this special sword had come from, it is from God.
Sure enough, Mercurius led the Roman army to victory over the Berber army, and afterwards, the Roman Emperor held a large celebration, and requested Mercurius to join him in raising incense to the pagan gods. Mercurius declined, explaining he could only worship the One True God. The emperor insisted, and then demanded, and each time Mercurius refused to even pretend to worship the false gods … even to save his life. The Emperor reprimanded him for refusing to offer incesnse to the idols, so Mercurius was tortured, and martyred, rather than to deny Jesus Christ.
St Philopater Mercurius is perhaps best known with the other name, “Abu Saifain, with the two swords”. One sword given by the army, and a sword given by God.
Miracles of St. Philopater Mercurius:
While the intercession of Abu Saifain is credited with several miracles over the centuries, there are two for which he is famous:
This happened long ago, when St. Basil the Great, prayed in front of an icon of Abu Saifain, asking St. Mercurius to intercede with God not to allow the Emperor Julian the apostate to return home from battle, only to continue persecuting the Christians! That night it was noticed that the figure of Abu Saifain had disappeared from the icon which depicted St. Mercurius. His figure returned to the icon the following day, the day that Emperor Julian died in battle.
This event is now remembered in all icons of Abu Saifain where you see a fallen Emperor at the bottom of the icon, still on the horse which has also been stricken to the ground. In the icon background, you will see St. Basil, praising God for stopping Julian the apostate from persecuting Christians.
The monastery of the martyr Abu Seifin is located in Egypt in a historical region. He has performed many miracles, which are recorded in books in several monasteries and spread in many churches around the world. There are many churches in the name of the martyr all over the world.
May his prayers be with us, and may our Lord always have the glory. Amen
