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Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus (Seven Sleepers of Ephesus)
This sacred icon of the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus, also known as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, beautifully depicts one of the most miraculous testimonies of the early Christian Church — the divine revelation of the future resurrection of the dead.
The Seven Youths — Maximilian, Jamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian (Constantine), and Antoninus — lived in the 3rd century during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius. All seven were young men from noble Ephesian families and served in the Roman military. When they refused to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to pagan gods, they went into the mountain cave of Ochlon, preparing themselves in prayer for the coming martyrdom. The youngest, Jamblichus, would secretly go into the city dressed as a beggar to bring bread for the others.
When Decius returned to Ephesus, the place of their hiding was discovered, and the entrance to the cave was sealed with stones so the youths would die inside. Two secret Christians among the officials placed a sealed box in the stonework, recording the names and the story of the seven martyrs for future generations.
But God performed a miracle: instead of death, He sent them a deep, holy sleep that lasted nearly 200 years. During the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when heresies denying the resurrection of the dead had begun to spread, the Lord awakened the Seven Youths as a visible witness to the truth of the future resurrection. Their bodies and clothing were completely incorrupt, as if no time had passed. When Jamblichus went to buy bread, he was astonished to hear Christ glorified openly, to see the sign of the Cross on the city gates, and to discover that the world around him had changed.
The Ephesian bishop, clergy, and people followed Jamblichus to the cave, where they opened the sealed box and read the ancient inscriptions recording the youths’ first confession and suffering. Seeing the Seven Youths alive, everyone glorified God, understanding that this miracle was revealed to strengthen the Church in the truth of the resurrection. The emperor himself came to speak with them, and shortly afterward the youths peacefully inclined their heads to the ground and fell asleep again — this time until the Last Day. Their holy relics remained in the cave, where the Russian pilgrim Abbot Daniel still saw them in the 12th century.
The memory of the Seven Holy Youths is celebrated twice: August 4 and October 22, and they are also remembered in the service for the Church New Year on September 1. This icon is treasured by believers who seek steadfastness in faith, comfort in trials, and hope in the final triumph of Christ over death.
🖼 Product Features
Each icon in our workshop is made to last a lifetime and beyond. The image is printed with rich, fade-resistant pigment inks on a premium solid-core wood panel — then hand-finished with a natural beeswax coating that deepens the colors, protects the surface, and gives each piece the warm, reverent quality of a traditionally crafted sacred object. A metal hanging hook is included on the back, so your icon is ready to display the moment it arrives.
- Crafted on a premium wood panel — 1.6 cm (0.6") thick, sturdy yet lightweight
- Fade-resistant pigment print — rich, true-to-life colors that last for generations
- Natural beeswax finish — hand-applied for depth, protection, and a traditional feel
- Ready to hang — metal hook pre-attached on the reverse
- Hand-finished by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal
📏 Available Sizes
• Small – 12 x 15 cm (5” x 6”)
• Medium – 23 x 30 cm (9” x 12”)
• Large – 30 x 39 cm (12” x 15”)
🎁 Perfect For
• Meaningful Orthodox Christian gifts
• Housewarming and family blessings
• Prayer corners and devotional spaces
• Baptisms, name days, weddings, and feast days
🌍 Worldwide Delivery
Securely packed and shipped worldwide from Portugal with tracking.
✨ Crafted with Tradition
Each icon is carefully made by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal — created to become a lasting blessing for your home or a treasured gift for someone you love.
The name of this icon in different languages⬅️
- Chinese (Simplified): 以弗所七圣少年（七睡者）圣像
- Czech: Ikona sedmi svatých mládenců z Efesu (Sedm spáčů)
- Danish: Ikon af de syv hellige unge mænd fra Efesos (De syv sovere)
- Dutch: Icoon van de zeven heilige jongeren van Efeze (Zeven Slapers)
- English: Icon of the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus (Seven Sleepers)
- Estonian: Efesose seitsme püha noormehe (Seitse magajat) ikoon
- Finnish: Efesoksen seitsemän pyhän nuorukaisen (Seitsemän nukkujaa) ikoni
- French: Icône des sept saints jeunes gens d’Éphèse (Sept Dormants)
- German: Ikone der sieben heiligen Jünglinge von Ephesus (Sieben Schläfer)
- Greek: Εικόνα των επτά αγίων νέων της Εφέσου (Επτά κοιμώμενοι)
- Italian: Icona dei sette santi giovani di Efeso (Sette Dormienti)
- Japanese: エフェソスの七人の聖なる若者（七人の眠り人）のイコン
- Latvian: Efezas septiņu svēto jauniešu (Septiņi gulētāji) ikona
- Lithuanian: Efezo septynių šventųjų jaunuolių (Septyni miegantieji) ikona
- Norwegian: Ikon av de syv hellige ungdommene fra Efesos (De syv sovende)
- Polish: Ikona siedmiu świętych młodzieńców z Efezu (Siedmiu śpiących)
- Portuguese: Ícone dos sete santos jovens de Éfeso (Sete Dormentes)
- Romanian: Icoana celor șapte sfinți tineri din Efes (Șapte Adormiți)
- Russian: Икона семи святых отроков Эфесских (Семь спящих)
- Serbian: Икона седам светих младића из Ефеса (Седам спавача)
- Slovak: Ikona siedmich svätých mládencov z Efezu (Sedem spiacich)
- Slovenian: Ikona sedmih svetih mladeničev iz Efeza (Sedem spečih)
- Spanish: Icono de los siete santos jóvenes de Éfeso (Siete Durmientes)
- Swedish: Ikon av de sju heliga ungdomarna från Efesos (Sju sovare)
- Ukrainian: Ікона семи святих отроків Ефеських (Сім сплячих)
