In difficult times of tribulation, when the Lord sends trials to his children, many Orthodox turn to saints. Their strict and inspired faces, questioningly looking from ancient icons, are able to cheer and console one kind of them. Saints, who underwent great torment in their earthly life, in the Kingdom of Heaven became intercessors of people, constantly listening to their prayers. Especially revered among Orthodox Christians is St. Ouar. They pray to him for their departed unbaptized relatives, as well as for the souls of infants who have not seen the earthly light. So who is Saint Ouar, whose prayer can work miracles? Today we will tell you about it.
Whar: life before a martyrdom
Saint Ouart lived in about three hundred and seventh year in Alexandria. He came from a noble family and, upon reaching adulthood, was sent to serve with Emperor Maximian.
Young Ouar was brave, kind, and distinguished by rare valor, so he was very quickly noticed by the emperor and kindly treated by him. After several years of service, Saint Ouar was promoted to the post of commander. But all the honors and riches with which Maximian showered him, could not make the youth’s heart callous. He was distinguished by incredible kindness and supported Christians in his soul, believing in the true God.
He often saw the torture suffered by the martyrs for his faith, and his soul shuddered with horror and fear of what was happening. Often at night he would go round the homes of Christians or secretly go down to prisons to ease the pain of those who were suffering. Saint Ouar brought food to the martyrs, 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 Ouar could not admit his love for Christ. He only admired the people who were ready to go to a terrible death for the sake of his God and faith, which the emperor’s soldiers tried to take from them.
Decision-making
Once, the holy martyr Ouar went down to prison to talk with seven Christians. They were teachers and many people had already been converted, so Maximian was especially cruel to them. Bandaging the wounds of the martyrs, Ouar decided on 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 turned to the teachers with a request to pray for him, because only the Lord could support St. Huara in his intentions. However, one of the teachers answered him that one who is afraid of earthly suffering 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 entered the ranks of prisoners, who were to appear before the court that day.
Martyrdom
At the trial, the martyr stood with his head proudly raised and spoke of his faith. The first moments the judge tried to appease him, but gradually, seeing the stubbornness of the young man, he felt real rage and ordered the executioners to be given to the executioners the very first.
The martyr was tied to a tree standing on a hill and in the eyes of other prisoners they began to beat him with leather lashes and thick knotted sticks. Feeling the blood covering his eyes, Saint Ouar prayed to the six teachers for support, and they began to pray earnestly. Almost immediately, the young man felt the pain recede, and true happiness filled his soul. An unknown hand softened the blows, which enthralled the martyr, and he only strengthened his decision.
Seeing that their actions were inconclusive, the tormentors began to cut off the skin of the saint that was still alive and cut it with knives. The executioners ripped the young man’s stomach and shook all his insides to the ground, and then hung them again from the tree. For another five hours he was alive, and only after these incredible torment he lost his spirit.
Cleopatra
The execution of Uara was seen by a woman named Cleopatra, who is the widow of one of the emperor's warriors. She was struck by the martyrdom of the young man and with the onset of darkness returned to the place of torture in order to collect the remains of the saint in a small vessel.
Together with her son John, she brought the remains of Huara home and buried them in the far corner of the basement. Cleopatra dreamed of returning to her homeland in Palestine, but was waiting for the right occasion for her return.
Veneration of the relics of the saint
A pious woman waited for several years until the persecution of Christians abated. Every day she went down to the basement and lit candles at the burial place of the relics. Prayer to Saint Huara filled her soul with light and strengthened in faith.
Having decided that the time had come, Cleopatra went from Alexandria to 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, which upon arrival she placed in the clan tomb.
The woman did not leave her service to God, she continued to burn near the relics of candles and incense. Every new day, she prayed at the grave of a martyr, and people in the village began to follow her example. Surprisingly, a fervent prayer to the holy martyr Huar gave people healing from various illnesses and peace of mind. A rumor of relics spread throughout Palestine.
Temple of the Martyr Uara
Seeing how many pilgrims came 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 Uara were transferred with honor.
Cleopatra was happy with everything done, she decided to arrange a real holiday for people who came to remember the saint. Moreover, her grown-up son was kindly treated by the king and received a good position with him. A contented woman entered the temple and began to pray fervently to the saint, asking her to do as it would be better for her beloved son. That same night, young John fell ill from a fever and died before morning.
Cleopatra’s grief was immeasurable, with a murmur and tears, the poor woman rushed to the temple and fell at the saint’s grave, asking him about her plight. Exhausted, she soon fell asleep.
Cleopatra's Dream
In a dream, the saint himself appeared to her with his son, dressed in bright clothes. The martyr Ouar tried to inform the woman and explain to her that her son now serves the Lord and associates with the saints. But the mother’s suffering was immense, and then he proposed to return Cleopatra’s son so that he would be by her side. But John, turning to his mother, prayed that she would not take him, and the woman humbled herself.
After the burial of her son, she handed out all her property and settled in the church. She spent all days in fasting and prayers to St. Huar. And seven years later she died with a smile on her lips.
Saint Ouar: icon
Orthodox Christians commemorate the saint of the nineteenth of October. On this day, it is supposed to come to church, put candles and pray to the holy martyr, recalling his feat.
On many icons, the Whar is depicted in military clothing. On his shoulders is a scarlet-colored cloak, symbolizing blood shed for his God and faith in Him. The saint usually holds a sword and a cross in his hands, and behind his back you can see a quiver with arrows. On one shoulder of the martyr one can see a tightly stretched bowstring.
Orthodox claim that praying to a saint is a must. It helps in many situations, and therefore a similar icon in the house is simply necessary. Moreover, Saint Ouar is considered the patron saint of those who must hide their faith and cannot declare it openly.
Moreover, it is precisely at this icon that relatives can pray to ease the fate of their loved ones who have decided on the terrible sin of suicide. However, do not do this on your own whim, be sure to consult with the priest and ask for his blessings for the hard work of prayer for the sinner.