RIK127632 The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (tempera on panel) by Cretan School (16th century); 26.9x22.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: during the persecution of Christians (250 AD) under the Roman emperor Decius, seven Christian soldiers were hidden near their native city of Ephesus in a cave to which the entry was later sealed. There, having protected themselves from being forced to do pagan sacrifices, they fell into a miraculous sleep. During the reign (408??50 AD) of the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II, the cave was reopened, and the Sleepers awoke. The emperor was moved by their miraculous presence and by their witness to their Christian doctrine of the body??? resurrection. Having explained the profound meaning of their experience, the Seven died, whereupon Theodosius ordered their remains to be enshrined, and he absolved all bishops who had been persecuted for believing in the Resurrection); 穢 Richard and Kailas Icons, London, UK; Cretan, out of copyright.