Leo of Cappadocia
Encyclopedia
Saint Leo of Cappadocia was a Christian
saint
.
Leo was an ascetic from Cappadocia
whose life and martyrdom is described in John Moschos' "Pratum Spirituale" ("The Spiritual Meadow"). Leo was distinguished by his warm hospitality
to all his visitors, whom he considered to be sent by God. He had the habit of saying with an enigmatic smile: "Now I am on my way to become an Emperor". (The word "Basileos" -"king" in Byzantium
meant also "Emperor".) He was frequently derided, and even considered to be out of his wits, for this saying, since there had never been an emperor from Cappadocia.
Once pagan soldiers attacked the surroundings of the town near which Leo lived. With all the inhabitants he took refuge within the walls of the town. Only few old men were caught by the intruders. Leo left the fortress and went to the enemy camp offering himself to the pagans in the place of the old men, who because of their weakness would be of no use to them, whereas Leo had sufficient strength to be of profit. The pagans agreed, released the elders and took Leo instead. However, when Leo was loaded with sacks and asked to follow the soldiers, it turned out that Leo himself was not apt for such physical labors (even though he tried to keep his word and serve them) being weakened by his constant prayer
s and vigil
s. The pagans, believing that Leo had tricked them in order to rescue his older compatriots, were enraged and beheaded him.
Only then did the people realize that when Leo had spoken about becoming an emperor, he meant not earthly, but heavenly empire, for he fulfilled the commandment of the Savior: "There is no greater love than that when one lays down his soul for brethren", and therefore received the crown of heavenly kingdom from Him.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
.
Leo was an ascetic from Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
whose life and martyrdom is described in John Moschos' "Pratum Spirituale" ("The Spiritual Meadow"). Leo was distinguished by his warm hospitality
Hospitality
Hospitality is the relationship between guest and host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. Specifically, this includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events, and other services for travelers...
to all his visitors, whom he considered to be sent by God. He had the habit of saying with an enigmatic smile: "Now I am on my way to become an Emperor". (The word "Basileos" -"king" in Byzantium
Byzantium
Byzantium was an ancient Greek city, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas . The name Byzantium is a Latinization of the original name Byzantion...
meant also "Emperor".) He was frequently derided, and even considered to be out of his wits, for this saying, since there had never been an emperor from Cappadocia.
Once pagan soldiers attacked the surroundings of the town near which Leo lived. With all the inhabitants he took refuge within the walls of the town. Only few old men were caught by the intruders. Leo left the fortress and went to the enemy camp offering himself to the pagans in the place of the old men, who because of their weakness would be of no use to them, whereas Leo had sufficient strength to be of profit. The pagans agreed, released the elders and took Leo instead. However, when Leo was loaded with sacks and asked to follow the soldiers, it turned out that Leo himself was not apt for such physical labors (even though he tried to keep his word and serve them) being weakened by his constant prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
s and vigil
Vigil
A vigil is a period of purposeful sleeplessness, an occasion for devotional watching, or an observance...
s. The pagans, believing that Leo had tricked them in order to rescue his older compatriots, were enraged and beheaded him.
Only then did the people realize that when Leo had spoken about becoming an emperor, he meant not earthly, but heavenly empire, for he fulfilled the commandment of the Savior: "There is no greater love than that when one lays down his soul for brethren", and therefore received the crown of heavenly kingdom from Him.