Demiana - Her Torments

Her Torments

The prince was enraged with St. Demiana and ordered his soldiers to torture her in many vicious and cruel ways. Only five of her torments were recorded in manuscripts:

1. Body Press (Hinbazeen)—St. Demiana was tied onto the outer surface of a large stationary wheel (like a watermill) by four robust soldiers who turned her on the wheel, pressing her against metal spikes which raked off her flesh.

St. Demiana lifted her eyes to heaven and cried: “O the one and only begotten of the Father, the eternal Son, Jesus Christ, who was raised on the holy cross by the Jews, crucified between two thieves by Your own will, raise my mind, O my God, above worldly cares which scatter the mind from the remembrance of Your heavenly providence and accept my little toil for Your name’s sake, for Yours is the glory and great reverence, now and forever and ever, amen.” St. Demiana’s flesh and bones became like dough as her blood poured upon the ground like water. All those present were amazed. The soldiers were exhausted from torturing her.

The virgins wept while observing the torture. St. Demiana said to them, “Weep not my sisters because Jesus Christ, to Him be glory, endured suffering for our salvation and died in flesh although He sinned not, yet died in flesh on behalf of Adam and his descendants to save them from hell. If God Almighty accepted crucifixion and death on His own will, having not committed any sin, how much more must I, His servant, obey Him. I accept death as sweetness, as said by the apostle Paul, Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”'

Afterwards, they threw her torn-up body in prison. St. Demiana suffered immense pain which is the cost of martyrs and saints, yet the heavenly joy and reward are indescribably much greater. The virgins wept, then slept as St. Demiana endured her great pain. Suddenly, Archangel Michael appeared, illuminated the prison, greeted her and touched her with his celestial wings and healed her completely, endowing peace upon her, before he ascended to heaven in great glory.

The next morning, the prince ordered St. Demiana to be brought to the Governing Council. When he saw that St. Demiana had been healed without a single wound or scratch on her body, he said, “O truly Demiana, your magic supersedes Ozark.” The crowd screamed, saying, “O unjust prince, may you and your infidel emperor be burnt. We declare we are all Christians and we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ--the God of this chaste saint, St. Demiana. We will die the same death as this saint--the virgin bride of Christ.” The prince ordered them all to be beheaded by the sword. No one dared to take their bodies, which were next to St. Demiana’s palace. They earned the crowns of martyrdom and became intercessors for people. May their blessings be upon us all forever, amen.

2. Iron combs—The soldiers slashed St. Demiana's body with sharp iron combs, tearing off her flesh, then rubbed her open wounds with a boiling mixture of aged vinegar, lime and swine hair, causing excruciatingly severe, burning pain.

Afterwards, they threw her into a dark prison with the rest of her virgins who were weeping in great sadness. Amidst St. Demiana’s intense pain and suffering, she prayed fervently with her virgins, saying: “O my Lord and God, the Creator of heaven and earth and all therein; who is merciful and compassionate; who in His mercy listens to the poor who calls upon You from a pure heart; who provides their needs for their salvation; now, O Master, I, Your weak and poor servant, strengthen me to bear the pain and give me power to win over the enemies of God who obey the devil; deliver me by Your name and allow me to be in company with Your saints--those before me--because You are the good God, lover of mankind; to Thee is due glory and honor forever and ever, amen.”

After her prayers, Archangel Michael appeared to her, spread his celestial wings above her and illuminated the prison. When the virgins saw the light, they were astonished. Archangel Michael said to her, “The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Good Father and the Holy Spirit be unto you, O young chaste virgin, perfect Demiana.” He touched her with his celestial wings and healed her of all her wounds and pain, then ascended to heaven.

St. Demiana said to her virgins: “Awake my sisters, for the Lord has sent His angel to heal me, I, the weak servant. I thank Him because He has revealed His power in me as said by Paul the apostle, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The weakness of God is stronger than the mighty power of the strong. May all thanks, glory and honor be unto God for ages of ages, and forever, amen.”

The prince said to his soldiers: “Go see if she is still alive in prison. If yes then throw her to the wild dogs. Report quickly back to me if she is dead, hence we will return without delay to our emperor, to rest from all this burden, struggle and toil. We have stayed a long time here from Antioch and rumors of our absence will reach the emperor.”

In prison, they found St. Demiana sitting, her face glowing with splendor like the sun. They brought her to the prince at the Governing Council, whereby she said to him, "You have the god of stone with you and I have my God Jesus Christ with me. O enemies of God; worshipers of idols doomed to failure, you are slaves of statues. There is no God in heaven or on earth except the God of the Christians--Jesus Christ, God and Creator for all mankind who healed me from the torments, O you faithless ones. O all you present, you all saw me yesterday when I was in immense pain and suffering, now I am well, my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ healed me.”

The crowd shouted, “There is no other God on earth and in heaven except the God of St. Demiana, the God of the Christians. Now we believe in the chaste and Holy God of Saint Demiana.” The people were from neighboring villages. When the prince heard this, he beheaded them all with the sword, and they received the crown of martyrdom. No one was able to take their bodies; their bodies were left with the rest of the bodies martyred before them beside the palace. They became intercessors for sinners in paradise. May their blessings be upon us all, amen.

The prince said to St. Demiana, “Enough - you have caused the bloodshed of all these people, you headstrong and determined lady Demiana. Rise and obey me, and bow before Apollo the great god." She replied, “True is what David the prophet said, Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” The prince’s face turned color and he sighed deeply, saying, “O this steadfast lady has defeated me; I have never seen anyone like her, not even the bravest heroes.” Hence he intensified her torments.

3. Hammering her body--They hammered St. Demiana from head to toe with an enormous iron, then placed her in a burning cauldron containing a boiling mixture of swine lard, oil, gum and tar. The fire of the cauldron reached many meters in height.

Throughout all this, St. Demiana did not die because God saved her. The more her flesh and bones burned, the more she praised God. The cost of suffering endured by saints is great, yet the joy and glory of the kingdom of heaven are indescribable. Archangel Michael appeared the third time to her and placed his wings on the cauldron, extinguishing the fire and taking her out of the cauldron. She stood healthily without any smell of smoke or burning. Archangel Michael then ascended to heaven in great glory.

St. Demiana went to the prince and shouted: “My Master Jesus Christ and I come to you and your stone gods which cannot hear." The prince was astonished to see her. He said to the people: “Who is this young lady? We have seen many people and no one is like this lady in her forbearance of severe torments; my mind is confounded by her." Many people present cried out: “We declare we are Christians, and we believe in the God of St. Demiana.” The prince beheaded them all and threw their bodies with the rest of those martyred beside the palace.

The prince said to St. Demiana: “What is the benefit gained from all this? O you, the obstinate and mighty. You will be accountable for the death of all these people." St. Demiana replied, “If you want to enter your kingdom, you first need to offer a present in order to be granted permission to enter. I offer the souls of these people as a gift, a sacrifice of praise to the Lord; they will ascend to heaven and now they are in front of the throne of Christ, the Creator and God, waiting for me to meet up with them in goodness and grace. I ask my God, the Living and Holy, the Almighty, the Victorious, to complete His will in me so that I may be with them in heaven.” The prince marveled at the wisdom and grace of St. Demiana’s eloquent speech. He ordered St. Demiana to be imprisoned until he could think of what to do with her.

Two days later, the prince said to St. Demiana, “Greetings, chaste Demiana, you who are from an honorable lineage, whose virtues the people speak well of, will you not worship the statues and end all this suffering?" She replied, “Those who are wise will not accept praise and empty words. My Master Jesus Christ, to Him be glory, has said in the holy books, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Their reward will be on earth. I will not obey you because the result will lead to death. Sins which are appealing and desirous lead to hell; I ask my God to save me from love of these sins. Is it not enough for you after seeing all these powerful miracles? Where is the power of your god? It cannot even move from its place. How can it help you? You must be embarrassed, you ignorant one. My God rules the world, raises heaven without any pillar to support it, and is unlimited in wisdom, to Him be glory forever, amen.” The prince was greatly worried and sighed deeply in his heart.

4. Carving a hole on her head and gouging out her eyes—The prince ordered his soldiers to carve a hole into St. Demiana's head, gouge out her eyes, uproot her skin from her head to shoulders, then pour a boiling mixture of oil, lead, gum and tar over her head and wounds.

St. Demiana screamed during the excruciating pain: “Jesus is God; Jesus is my hope; Jesus is my strength and salvation; Jesus is my King. O full of grace and glory, O mother of the Light, my God, Saint Mary, intercede for all your people.” Her spirit left her body. All those present watched as a white dove appeared and flapped its wings upon her head and eyes healing her completely. She rose from death and stood up--her body all healed--her eyes and brain were intact, no sign of wound or pain present. The dove then flew up into the sky and disappeared.

All the people shouted: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. The eternal God, performer of miracles with His saints has saved St. Demiana from death and suffering.” The people cried to St. Demiana: “Ask the Lord God Jesus Christ to strengthen us to gain the crown of martyrdom in His holy name.” St. Demiana said to them, “I ask the Divine to grant all of you the strength to be delivered from the tortures, and may we meet in heaven.” The people kissed her hands and feet, and went to tell the prince: “Burn, you infidel, and your deceiving emperor and idols that have no power to defend themselves; we profess our belief in our Master Jesus Christ.” The prince beheaded them all by the sword. They were many who received the crown of martyrdom, entering paradise, where they celebrated with Christ. They became intercessors for us sinners on January 9, Tooba 1 (Coptic calendar). May their prayers be with us forever, amen.

The prince ordered his soldiers to seize St. Demiana, who had ruined the belief of the surrounding regions by drawing men, women and prominent citizens to believe in the Crucified and guiding them to martyrdom. They imprisoned St. Demiana with her virgins in darkness without food and water. He said to her virgins: “Tell your friend, lady Demiana, to obey me in order to not have to endure the most painful punishment and suffering.” In the dark prison, St. Demiana and her virgins all prayed. As they prayed, the prison lit up brightly like the sun.

Ten days later, the prince ordered St. Demiana to be brought to him. He said that perhaps she had now changed her mind and would worship his idols, which would be a comfort to him, her and everyone else. When the soldiers opened the prison door, they saw brilliant intense light. Immediately they bowed down to St. Demiana and said: “O our lady, the prince wants you.” She rose and went with them saying, A Song of Ascents. “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," Let Israel now say -- 2 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long." 4 The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. 5 Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back. 6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up, 7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. 8 Neither let those who pass by them say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!"

When they reached the prince, he said to her, “O chaste lady Demiana, obey me now and worship the emperor’s idols and I’ll give you much honor." St. Demiana replied, “My mind is dumbfounded by your ignorance; one word is enough for the wise, yet many words have I spoken to you for a long time to stop worshiping your evil gods after you have tormented me severely and my God has healed me; may you and your bad faithless emperor perish."

5. Her body hacked into pieces and thrown to beasts— the prince ordered her four limbs to be stretched, tied to four stakes, and her body to be hacked into pieces then fed to beasts.

When St. Demiana heard the prince’s orders, she faced the East (this clearly confirms that praying while facing the East was the custom of Christians in the past) and prayed with her virgins, saying: “O God of lords, Christ our God, strengthen me O my Master to bear this torture in Your holy name because You are the God of truth, the blessed God, and to You are due glory and honor, now and always, and forever, amen.” When she finished the prayer, she said to her virgins: “Remember me, my sisters, in your prayers so that Christ, my God, may strengthen me to bear this torment.”

She went to the soldiers and said, “Why are you all standing idly? Do the injustice which your master, the prince, has ordered you to do." The soldiers pulled her four limbs, tying them with chains to four stakes, then they hacked her body into pieces like a fish; subsequently, she lifted up her spirit. The prince ordered her dismembered body to be thrown to the wild beasts for a day and a night. The beasts and birds surrounded her as though they were bewailing in deep sorrow, mourning for their beloved, and did not approach her. The virgins were watching at a distance with the crowd; they all wept.