Cilicia is a district in the Roman province of Asia Minor. It is now Turkish territory. The local people were distinguished by a violent temper, love of the sea and piracy. The pirates of Cilicia kept all navigators at bay. The word «Cilicia» for a long time caused only negative emotions. Still, even the persecutor of Christians, the cruel Saul was from Cilicia, from the city of Tarsus.
Only the Lord can use even the most cruel people for the benefit of the pirate land or make holy people come out, glorifying the Lord with their life and death. Saul became Paul, and now Christians around the world enjoy visiting Cilicia to see his hometown.
Paul founded the first Christian urban community in Tarsus, Cilicia. In the 4th century, Cilicia was famous not only for strong Christian communities, but also for monks and deserters. But there were pagans too. And their manners remained as cruel as in the time of Caesar.
One day, the ruler of the area, Domitian, went hunting. In the desert he saw an old man surrounded on all sides by wild animals. As the hunters approached, the animals fled. Domitian was amazed by what he saw. He asked how that was possible. The elder replied that he was a Christian. He lives in this desert area because in his village all the inhabitants are pagans. So he went to the desert, where he communicated with wild animals. The elder claimed that in comparison with the pagan customs of his fellow tribesmen, animals behave simply like domestic cats. Elder Zosimos of Cilicia was called.
When he heard that Zosima was a Christian, Domitian was furious. He hated Christians and loved to torture them. The governor accused Zosima of witchcraft, arrested him, brought him to the city. There the old man stood trial. With a huge crowd of people, the elder was tortured, demanding to renounce his faith. Zosima bravely endured torment. The judge then ordered him, as proof that his faith was true, to summon the wild animals with which Zosimas was communicating in the wilderness. By that time, the old man could no longer stand. Half the bones in his body were broken. Blood flowed from the wounds. He’s very weak. In the end, he prayed to the Lord. At that moment a wild lion appeared on the streets of the city. The townspeople were gripped by sacred horror. The lion did not touch anyone and quietly left.
The astonished ruler ordered Zosima to be untied. But his soul has already left his body. From the wounds received, the monk died.
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