St. GREGORY OF NYSSA, G.C.-Thus speaks to his audience, when celebrating the Feast of the Martyr Theodorus: "When any one enters such a place as this, where the memory of this just man and his relics are preserved, his mind is first struck-while he views the structure and all its ornaments—with the general magnificence that breaks upon him. The artist has here shewn his skill in the figures of animals, and the airy sculpture of the stone; while the painter's hand is most conspicuous in delineating the high achievements of the Martyr; his torments; the savage forms of his executioners; their furious efforts; the burning furnace; and the happy consummation of the laborious contest. The figure of Christ is also beheld, looking down upon the scene. Thus, as in a book the letters convey the history, so do the colours describe the conflict of the Martyr, and give the beauty of a flowery mead to the walls of our temple. The picture, though silent, speaks, and gives instruction to the beholder nor is the mosaic pavement, which we tread on, less instructive.” Orat. de Theod. Martyr. T. ii. p. 1011.
St. ASTERIUS OF AMASEA, G. C.-“ I retired into the temple of God to pray (the great church at Chalcedon). I saw a picture, with which I was much struck—A holy woman, a spotless virgin, had consecrated her chastity to God: her name was Euphemia. Her fellow-citizens, in admiration of her great sanctity, and of the heroic fortitude she displayed in herdeath, raised a sepulchre, and in it deposited her remains. They paid her public honours, and celebrated the anniversary day of her martyrdom with great solemnity.[1] The painter expressed the whole history of her martyrdom, in the most lively colours on canvas; and the picture was exhibited to public view, near her tomb. You there saw the judge, on an elevated seat, casting a ferocious look on the virgin, and
- ↑ She suffered about the year 307.
