# Maximus, A Pious Christian, After Many Torments Stoned To Death, At Ephesus, About The Year 255.

c. 255 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: MAXIMUS, A PIOUS CHRISTIAN, AFTER MANY TORMENTS STONED TO DEATH, AT EPHESUS, ABOUT THE YEAR 255.

Source heading; not independently verified

It is stated that shortly after the death of Pionius
and the preceding martyrs, there suffered a certain
pious Christian, called Maximus, a citizen of Ephesus;
concerning whom, we, in order to present the
matter in the briefest, clearest and plainest manner,
shall, (instead of the testimony of the fathers) copy
the records themselves, which were approved by
the Proconsul, and written by the clerk of the court.
They read thus: “Maximus, a citizen of Ephesus,
having been apprehended and brought before Optimus,
the Proconsul of Asia, the latter asked him:
‘What is thy name?’

“He answered: ‘My name is Maximus.’

“The Proconsul asked: ‘What is thy estate?’
which meant, whether he was free-born, or a servant.

“Maximus said: ‘I belong to myself, and am
free-born. Nevertheless, I am a servant of Christ,
and manage my own affairs.’

“The Proconsul said: ‘Art thou a Christian?’

“Maximus replied: ‘Notwithstanding I am a
sinner, I am nevertheless a servant of Christ.’

“The Proconsul questioned: ‘Knowest thou not
the decrees of the invincible Princes, which have
now been brought hither?’

“Maximus asked back: ‘What are they?’

“The Proconsul answered: ‘That all the Christians
are to forsake their superstitions, acknowledge
the only true Prince, to whose power all things are
subject, and worship his gods.’

“Maximus said: ‘Yea, I have heard the unjust
decree of this Prince or Emperor, and hence have
come, openly to declare myself against it.’

“The Proconsul spoke: ‘Then sacrifice to the
gods.’

“Maximus said: ‘I sacrifice to none, except to
God; and I rejoice that from my childhood’s days
I have offered myself only to God.’

“The Proconsul again said: ‘Sacrifice, lest I
cause thee to be tormented in divers manners.’

“Maximus said: ‘This is just what I have always
longed for: to be deprived of this temporal and
frail life, and thereby attain life eternal.’

“The Proconsul then commanded his soldiers to
beat Maximus with sticks. While he was being
beaten, the Proconsul said to him: ‘Sacrifice, Maximus,
that you may be released from these torments.’

“Maximus said: ‘These torments, which I gladly
and willingly receive for the name of my Lord Jesus
Christ, are no torments at all; but if I apostatize
from Christ, I must expect the real and everlasting
torments.’

“The Proconsul therefore had him suspended
on the torture-stake, and dreadfully tormented;
and said to him: ‘See, now, where thou hast come
to by thy folly; sacrifice, therefore, that thou mayest
save thy life.’

“Maximus replied: ‘If I sacrifice not, I shall save
my life; but if I do, I shall lose it. For neither thy
sticks, hooks, claws, pincers, nor thy fire hurt me;
nor do I feel any pain through it, because the grace
of Christ abides in me.’

“Then the proconsul pronounced the sentence
of death, which was as follows: ‘I command, that
Maximus be stoned to death, as an example and
terror to other Christians; because he would not
submit to the laws, and sacrifice to the great Diana
of Ephesus.’ Acta Proconsularia.” Thus far extend
the words which the clerk of the court himself
wrote.

The Christian who copied these records, adds the
following: “And presently this faithful champion
of Christ was taken away by the servants of Satan,
brought without the city walls, and stoned. While
he was being led away, and stoned, he thanked
God with all his heart, who had made him worthy
to overcome the devil in the conflict; and thus
committed his soul into the hands of his Lord Jesus
Christ.”

Thus this pious witness of Jesus laid down his
life amidst a volley of stones, for the honor of his
Savior, and thus was registered among the holy
and steadfast martyrs. A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 72,
col. 3, 4, from Acta Procons. Also, Aug., lib. 2,
de Doctr. Christ., cap. 26, Idem. contra Donatist.
super alia acta citat.

133





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