Saint Mamant - the miracle child
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He came from a noble family. His parents, Theodotus and Rufina, lived in the 3rd century in the city of Gangra, Asia Minor (today Çankırı in northern Turkey). With their exemplary life, they attracted many pagans to Christianity. During one of the persecutions against Christians, they were imprisoned in the city of Caesarea Cappadocia, and Rufina was expecting a child. Theodotus said that he was ready to die, but not to betray his faith. He indeed died in prison, and Rufina, out of great sorrow, gave birth early.
Rufina asked God to accept her soul, and for the newborn she prayed thus: “O God, raise the newborn baby as you know! Send your guardian angel to take care of him.” And the Lord mercifully heard the mother’s prayer. He sent His angel to a Christian woman, a wealthy widow from Caesarea, named Amias, who had no children of her own. He told her to take the newborn baby from prison and raise him as her own child. Amias fulfilled the angel’s command, took the child and raised him with great love, educating him in the Christian faith. The first word the adopted child uttered was “mama.” Touched by this, Amias named him Mamant.
Mamant was extremely smart and when he went to school he amazed even his teacher. He was a child prodigy. When he was 7 years old, an order was issued by Emperor Aurelian (270-275), requiring all citizens to offer a sacrifice to God Zeus. Everyone was scared, the entire school obeyed out of fear. But not the class of St. Mamant, although only 7 years old, he spoke like a 20-year-old and convinced all the children in the class not to be afraid and not to betray their faith.
The governor of the district, surprised by the children's behavior, asked: "What is going on here?" The teacher replied: "I am not guilty. There is a Mamant who is of noble origin. His mother is the richest woman in Caesarea. He has captivated all the children and they keep repeating: "I am the resurrection and the life. We want to suffer for Christ. He is the Lord!"
Thus began a new period in the life of St. Mamant. He was often summoned for questioning, imprisoned, but he always stood up for his rights. He always gave such answers to the governor and the judges that they were amazed at what wisdom there was in a 7-8 year old child.
They subjected him to various tortures. Finally, they decided to drown him by tying a stone around his neck and throwing him into the sea. But the Lord sent an angel who descended like lightning and chased away his tormentors. The angel took the boy to a safe place on a nearby mountain.
St. Mamant lived among wild animals. They became attached to him and, as intelligent beings, listened to him and obeyed him. Thus, where the saint prayed, all the domestic and wild animals gathered, attracted by his holiness.
When he was 15 years old, a new persecution against Christians began again. Soldiers came to capture St. Mamant and hand him over to the governor. Then the saint, with trust in God, decided to appear before the governor himself. Among the wild animals in the mountain was a lion that wanted to accompany St. Mamant to the city, but the saint ordered him to come down later and come to the circus to punish the unbelieving pagans. And so it happened after a few days, St. Mamant was taken to the circus to be torn apart by the wild beasts. However, they not only did not tear him apart, but one by one they lay down peacefully at his feet. Finally, they also brought a lion that they had captured outside the city. This was St. Mamant's lion, and instead of tearing him apart, he jumped at the people who had come to the spectacle and killed many of them.
The governor accused the saint of witchcraft. Saint Mamant denied the accusation and told the governor about Jesus Christ, how He was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became perfect God and perfect man. But the governor did not listen to him and handed the saint over to torture, finally a soldier pierced him with a trident and so Saint Mamant, slowly leaving the city, gave up his immortal soul to God.
This is, in short, the life of this great martyr, protector of orphans, adopted children, prisoners, shepherds, a quick helper to all who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases and to those who have hearing difficulties.
The memory of the Saint is celebrated on 02.09.
Holy Great Martyr Mamante, pray to God for us, protect our children, be with all the suffering and wronged, with all the sick, hungry and imprisoned. Amen!