07 works, Today, October 7th, is Saints Sergius and Bacchus' day, their story illustrated #279

Unknown artist

Saints Sergius and Bacchus

Oriental icon

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Saints Sergius and Bacchus were fourth-century Roman Christian soldiers revered as martyrs and military saints by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Unknown artist

Sergius of Rome, martyr and Bacchus Roman, martyr

Fresco

Transfiguration Monastery of Mirozh

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The Holy Transfiguration Monastery of Mirozh was founded in 1153 by Archbishop Nifont of Novgorod and Pskov. The first monks were native Greeks, so they invited the Byzantine architects for the construction. The hands of these masters belong to the wonderful temple murals that covered all surfaces from floor to ceiling. The accompanying inscriptions are made in Greek and only partially deciphered. More on this work

Saints Sergius and Bacchus were at first nobles at the court of the Emperor Maximian. The Emperor himself valued them greatly for their courage, wisdom and zeal, but, when he heard that these great nobles of his were Christians, his love for them turned to fury. 

Unknown artist

Emperor Maximianus watches the animal hunt

40.6 x 27.2 cm | 16 x 10.7 inches 

Villa Romana del Casale

Once, when there was a great offering of sacrifices to idols, the Emperor summoned Sergius and Bacchus to offer sacrifice together with him, and they openly refused to obey him in this. Beside himself with anger, the Emperor ordered that their robes, rings and marks of eminence be stripped from them and they be dressed in women's clothing. He then put iron yokes on their necks and led them thus through the streets of Rome, to be mocked by each and all. 

Jacques-Louis David, (1748–1825) 

Erasistratus

Erasistratus Discovering the Cause of Antiochus' Disease, c. 1774

Oil on canvas

Height: 120 cm (47.2 in); Width: 155 cm (61 in)

École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France

Jacques-Louis David (30 August 1748 – 29 December 1825) was a French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era. In the 1780s his cerebral brand of history painting marked a change in taste away from Rococo frivolity toward classical austerity and severity and heightened feeling, harmonizing with the moral climate of the final years of the Ancien Régime.

David later became an active supporter of the French Revolution and friend of Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794), and was effectively a dictator of the arts under the French Republic. Imprisoned after Robespierre's fall from power, he aligned himself with yet another political regime upon his release: that of Napoleon, the First Consul of France. At this time he developed his Empire style, notable for its use of warm Venetian colours. After Napoleon's fall from Imperial power and the Bourbon revival, David exiled himself to Brussels, then in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he remained until his death. David had many pupils, making him the strongest influence in French art of the early 19th century, especially academic Salon painting. More on Jacques-Louis David

The Emperor then sent them to Asia, to Antiochus the governor, for torture. Antiochus had achieved his distinguished rank with the help of Sergius and Bacchus, who had at one time recommended him to the Emperor. When Antiochus began to urge them to deny Christ and save themselves from dishonourable suffering and death, the two saints replied: 'Both honour and dishonour, both life and death — all are one to him who seeks the heavenly Kingdom.' 

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, (1825–1905)

The saint was delivered over to be tortured

The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, c.1880

Oil on canvas

Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle

Antiochus threw Sergius into prison and ordered that Bacchus be tortured first. The servants took turns beating holy Bacchus until his whole body was broken into fragments. His holy spirit went forth from his broken and bloodstained body and was borne to the Lord by angels. St Bacchus suffered in the town of Varvallis. 

Unknown artist

Sergius beheaded with the sword, c. 985

Miniature Minology of Vasily II.

Vatican Library. Rome

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Then holy Sergius was led out. Iron shoes studded with nails were put on his feet, and he was driven out into the Syrian town of Resapha, and there beheaded with the sword. His soul went to Paradise where, together with his friend Bacchus, he received the wreath of immortal glory from Christ his King and Lord. These two knights suffered for the Christian faith in about 303." The Great Horologion gives 296 as the date of their repose. One of the most beautiful churches in Constantinople, still standing, is dedicated to Sts Sergius and Bacchus. More on Sergius and Bacchus

Unknown artist

Saints Sergius and Bacchus

I have no further description, at this time