The Death and Resurrection of a Cart Driver (From the Life of Saint Parthenios of Lampsakos)

The Death and Resurrection of a Cart Driver

(From the Life of Saint Parthenios of Lampsakos)

The demons did not refrain from interfering in the beautiful and good works of Saint Parthenios. For this reason, one day the following event took place:

When Parthenios had completed the construction work of the house of worship built in the name of the Most High Lord, he found a flat stone which he deemed suitable for the altar. He ordered a cart driver named Eutychianos to transport this flat stone to the church that was being built. However, the crafty evil spirit, envying this good work of Parthenios, sought to create an obstacle to his plans. Thus, during the transport of the flat stone, it enraged the oxen, and in their frenzy they threw the poor cart driver between the wheels. As a result, his belly was torn open, his intestines spilled out, and shortly thereafter he died.

When Parthenios learned of this tragic event, he said:

“May you gain no benefit from this cunning, O evil spirit, you crafty one! You will not deter me from this good work.”

After saying all this, he went to the place where the dead man lay. He knelt beside him and prayed:

“O Jesus Christ, You who have authority over life and death, nullify the cunning of the evil spirit and raise this dead man back to life, for You are the resurrection and the life of all, You who are able to do whatever You will, You who are our all-powerful King.”

After he had said all these things, Eutychianos immediately rose to life, and after thanking Saint Parthenios, he transported the flat stone to the church that was being built, in defiance of the evil spirit.

You raised up one who had been most unjustly put to death, 
who in former times had served the divine work; 
for God, who abolished death, granted you grace, O blessed Parthenios, 
to raise the dead through intercession. 
(Troparion from the 3rd Canon to the Saint)