St
Nestor gives details of his Apostolate and Martyrdom – The
Pleasures of the Earth do not give Merits – Suffering a Great
Treasure – The Spirit of Detachment – Seek No Consolations other
than God – Attachments to the Earth Prolong a Painful Existence
Ecstasy
date September 5, 1878
“May
the peace of Our Lord be with you, dear Brothers of the Cross, may
His love strengthen you! May His goodness give you hope!
I
am Saint Nestor, Bishop and Martyr. I died for my God, stretched on
racks. I died on the cross.
I
lived in past centuries. I initially had the intention of leaving the
world and entering solitude, but God decided otherwise. I was elected
Bishop and was destined to spread the faith among non-Christian
peoples.
After
a few years in the ministry of Bishop, I was a martyr. This is how
God decided my martyrdom. I travelled the earth to convert the
infidels. A kind of jealousy and ill will was aroused among the
people and immediately I suffered abuse. It was not yet the time of
martyrdom. I lived three more years after the first persecution. I
redoubled my preaching. The stronger God's love was in my soul, the
more my zeal gave me dedication, a boundless charity for that poor
people. After
I had preached the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the unfaithful people
came together and conspired against me and put me to death.
My
martyrdom was very long in torments. They tortured me on racks.
Seeing that I was still living and that nothing took my life, they
decided to crucify me on a tree, but I was not dead. I was dragged,
beaten by these people. Arriving at the place of execution I was
stripped, they twisted my members, they broke my teeth with
instruments that you do not know about. I was pierced with needles
of iron, especially in the most sensitive parts. I was then placed on
the tree, very wide and very large. I was attached with four nails.
The torments just made my face glow more with happiness. They pinned
my head on the tree. They hit my head so hard my head was broken and
my face distorted. My head was flattened against the tree of
crucifixion. Seeing that I was still breathing, they cut off my head
and I expired in torment and pain.
They
wanted to leave my blood and my wounds to lapped by animals, but they
(compassionate
witnesses?) refused and cried because of my martyrdom.
Then the infidels shut up my body in a wooden box and their intention
was frightening! (I.e. they planned a terrible desecration to the
body.) But God knows everything, He sent chosen souls to ask for my
body. They too were beaten, but the infidels yielded to their
request. That is how I was carried away and how my body was removed
from the infamous sacrilege that the unfaithful people intended to
do.
I
come, now, to say a word on behalf of Our Lord.
We
are all more or less, martyrs on this earth, we all are.
There
is no richer Treasure, nothing more precious than to suffer for God.
Let
the world laugh at you, let it chase you in every way, as long as you
serve God and that you love Him (while) on earth. There is only one
happiness, one love, one joy, it is God who has all these riches.
What (purpose) is it to have enjoyment on the earth? To have complete
freedom in all things?
It is a happiness, but happiness without merit. Why do you
focus so much on this earth? Why
is there such a liking to listen to what the earth repeats? We must
use this vain and meritless time
to think of God, to pray, to ask Him for the graces we need. (I.e,
do not idly spend your time
on earth's fleeting enjoyments that do not give heavenly merit.)
Why
do they still neglect to trust in God (in order to) occupy themselves
with another trust of mud and dust? (I.e, to place trust in
mankind and the earth that is but dust?)
This trust, is the most lowest, it is the last, it is that which
comes from creatures … . (I.e. attachment to creatures.)
To
become perfect, in all the graces of Heaven, we must (be) withdrawn
and in this same withdrawing, the mind and thoughts. (I.e. to
practise the spirit of detachment and solitude.) You have to
recollect into your interior ... Those who suffer need to know that
to withdraw is an advantage and that they are in a good path … They
must take pain for a spouse and reject everything else ... Whoever is
espoused to it (i.e. suffering) does not need anything else, other
places, other companions to talk with or to console. Suffering will
suffice, for nothing else will ... God possesses everything. God
is the sovereign Comforter, the earth does not console ... The more
one detaches from it, (the earth), the more a new life will approach.
Often, we prolong painful existences by too many ties to
the world and creatures. The way to shorten this
miserable existence is to remove everything and receive God as our
only Consoler, to say every thing to Him, to tell Him all …
I
wish the children of God and the Cross, the strength and courage, and
above all this great detachment will soon come in peace and in the
House that the Lord prepares you.
It
should reassure you that the Lord promises you His protection.”
**
(Image
above: the martyrdom of St. Nestor of Magydos, Miniature from the
Menologion of Basil II)
Biography
provided by the “Friends of Marie-Julie” / “Sanctuary Website”
: Saint Nestor died in 251. He was Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia
(southern Asia Minor). He was crucified during the persecution of
Roman Emperor Decius (249-251). Saint Nestor was so beloved, having
exhorted the faithful from the top of his cross, that the pagans
knelt with the Christians. Feast Day February 26.
A
Serbian Orthodox website says: “Nestor
was distinguished by great meekness. In the time of Decius, he was
taken for trial and harshly tortured for Christ. At the time of his
death, he saw in a vision a lamb prepared for sacrifice, which he
interpreted as a sign of his own imminent sacrifice. He was tortured
by the Eparch Publius and finally crucified in Perga in the year
250.” (Source.)
Wikipedia
states: “His courage and authority were so noteworthy that a Roman
magistrate uttered these words: "Until
we have got the better of the bishop, we shall be powerless against
the Christians." He
was arrested under Emperor Decius, and sentenced to death by the
local Roman governor, Pollio or Epolius of Lycia, after refusing to
sacrifice to the pagan gods of the state.
**
Go
To:
