Ouar is a holy martyr

In difficult times of sorrow, when the Lord sends trials to his children, many Orthodox turn to saints. Their strict and spiritualized faces, questioningly gazing from ancient icons, are capable of cheering and comforting one of their kinds. The saints, who suffered great torments in their earthly life, became intercessors of the people in the Kingdom of Heaven, constantly listening to their prayers. Particularly revered among Orthodox Christians is Saint Ouar. He is praying for his deceased unbaptized relatives, as well as for the souls of babies who have never seen the earthly light. So who is the holy Hary, a prayer that is able to perform miracles? Today we will tell you about it.

Ouar: life before the martyrdom

Saint Ward lived approximately in the three hundred and seventh year in Alexandria. He came from a noble family and on reaching adulthood was sent to serve the Emperor Maximian.

Young Ward was brave, kind and stood out with rare prowess, so he was very quickly noticed by the emperor and treated them kindly. After several years of service, St. Huar was promoted to military leader. But all the honors and riches with which he showered Maximian, could not make the heart of the youth stale. He was distinguished by incredible kindness and in his heart supported Christians, believing in the true God.

He often saw the torture that martyrs suffered for their faith, and his soul shuddered with horror and fear of what was happening. Often at night he walked around the house of Christians or secretly descended into prisons to ease the pain of the suffering. Saint Ouar brought martyrs food, bandaged their wounds and prayed with them.

Each time the young man grew stronger in faith, but his fear of idolaters was so great that he could not admit his love for Christ. He watched with admiration the people who were ready to go to the terrible death for the sake of their God and the faith that they tried to take away the soldiers of the emperor.

Decision-making

Once the holy martyr Ouar descended into the dungeon to talk with seven Christians. They were teachers and many people have already converted, so Maximian was especially cruel to them. Bandaging the wounds of the martyrs, Ouar decided to have an important conversation with them.

For a long time the young man tried to get rid of the fear of pain and accept suffering for his God. He asked teachers to pray for him, because only the Lord could support the holy Ouar in his intentions. However, one of the teachers answered him that someone who is afraid of earthly sufferings will never see the face of Christ. This was a real revelation for the young commander.

He remained in prison until dawn, and the next morning he saw that one of the prisoners had died. Saint Ouart decided that this was a sign for him, and boldly joined the ranks of prisoners who were to appear on that day in court.

Martyrdom

At the trial, the martyr stood with his head held high and spoke of his faith. For the first moments the judge tried to reason with him, but gradually, seeing the obstinacy of the young man, he felt a real fury and ordered to give Ouar the executioners the very first.

The martyr was tied to a tree on a hillock and, in front of other prisoners, was beaten with leather lashes and thick knotty sticks. Feeling the blood covering his eyes, Saint Ward prayed to the six teachers with a request for support, and they began to pray diligently. Almost immediately, the young man felt the pain recede, and real happiness filled the soul. Someone's unknown hand softened the blows, which led the martyr to rapture, and he only strengthened his decision.

Seeing that their actions are inconclusive, the torturers began to cut off the still living sacred skin and cut it with knives. The executioners ripped open the belly of the young man and shook out all his entrails on the ground, and then hung up again to the tree. Another five hours, he was alive and only after these incredible torments he gave up his spirit.

Cleopatra

Huar's execution was seen by a woman named Cleopatra, who is the widow of one of the emperor's soldiers. She was impressed by the boy's martyrdom and, with the onset of darkness, returned to the place of torture to collect the remains of the saint in a small vessel.

Together with his son John, she brought the remains of Huar home and buried them in the far corner of the cellar. Cleopatra dreamed of returning to her homeland in Palestine, but she was waiting for a suitable opportunity to return.

Veneration of the relics of the saint

For several years a pious woman was waiting for Christians to persist. Every day she went down to the basement and lit candles at the burial place of the relics. Prayer to Saint Huar filled her soul with light and strengthened her faith.

Deciding that the time has come, Cleopatra left Alexandria for the village of Edra, where she was once born. Under the guise of the remains of her deceased spouse, she carried the relics of a saint who, on arrival, placed them in the family burial vault.

The woman did not abandon her service to God, she continued to burn near the relics of the candle and incense. Every new day she prayed at the grave of a martyr, and people in the village began to follow her example. Surprisingly, the ardent prayer to the holy martyr Uaru gave people healing from various diseases and peace of mind. The rumor of relics spread throughout Palestine.

The temple in honor of the martyr Uar

Seeing how many pilgrims come to pray to the saint, Cleopatra decided to build a temple in honor of him. A pious woman was highly respected by her people, so a small church was erected by joint efforts, where the relics of the martyr Uar were transferred with honor.

Cleopatra was happy with everything done, she decided to make a real holiday for people who came to remember the saint. Moreover, her grown-up son was treated kindly by the tsar and received a good post with him. The contented woman entered the temple and began to pray fervently to the saint, asking to do as best for her beloved son. That very night the young John went down from fever and died before the morning.

Cleopatra's grief was immeasurable, a poor woman rushed to the temple with tears and tears and fell at the grave of a saint, asking him about her heavy share. Exhausted, she soon fell asleep.

Cleopatra's Dream

In a dream, the saint himself appeared to her with his son, clothed in light robes. The martyr Uar tried to persuade the woman and explain to her that her son now serves the Lord and communicates with the saints. But the suffering of the mother was immeasurable, and then he offered to return Cleopatra to his son, that he was beside her. But John, turning to his mother, implored that she would not take him away, and the woman resigned herself.

After the burial of her son, she distributed all her possessions and settled in the church. All the days she spent in fasting and praying to Saint Huar. And seven years later she died with a smile on her lips.

Saint-Ouart: icon

Orthodox Christians commemorate the saint on the nineteenth of October. On this day it is supposed to come to church, put candles and pray to the holy martyr, remembering his feat.

On many icons, Uar is portrayed in military garb. On his shoulders is a cloak of scarlet color, symbolizing the blood shed for his God and faith in Him. In the hands of a saint usually holds a sword and a cross, and behind him is a quiver with arrows. On one shoulder of the martyr there is a tightly stretched string of bow.

The Orthodox claim that it is absolutely necessary to pray to the saint. It helps in many situations, and therefore such an icon in the house is simply necessary. Moreover, Saint Ouar is considered the patron of those who must conceal their faith and can not openly declare it.

In addition, it is at this icon that the family can pray to alleviate the fate of their loved ones who have decided on the terrible sin of suicide. However, do not do it on your whim, be sure to consult a priest and ask his blessings for the hard work of praying for a sinner.