Seven Seepers

It is said that in the time of Decius (Dakyus), seven or eight Christian youths, afraid of being sacrificed to the pagan beliefs of the time, took shelter in a cave near where they lived and were covered. There they fall into a miraculous sleep. According to a rumor, the names of these people were Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus and Antoninus. Other names are reported in other sources. The soldiers who come to this cave return in surprise. Thereupon, their commander orders the cave entrance to be closed with stone and mortar. They leave here, leaving a sign stating that "Seven Unbelievers were left to die".

A section from the cave in Selçuk-Ephesus.

Approximately 200 or 230 years after the Seven Sleepers were covered, the owner of the land on which the cave is located opens the cave entrance with his workers and encounters the Seven Sleepers. Iamblicus goes to the city to buy bread and realizes that the name of Jesus, son of Mary, is freely mentioned in the city. Decius (Dakyus) tries to shop with coins from his time. They are brought before the bishop. Listening to their stories, the bishop states that it is a miracle.

The cave in the story, which is accepted by the Christians, is located at the foot of Panayır Mountain, near the ancient city of Ephesus in Selçuk district. A church built on top of this cave was discovered during an excavation between 1927-1928. Graves belonging to the 5th and 6th centuries were found during the excavation. Inscriptions dedicated to the Seven Sleepers are found both in the tombs and on the church walls.