Anthony the Qurayshite +799

Anthony the Qurayshite +799

"Anthony Qurayshite of the lineage of Umar [caliph]; helper of those who find themselves in difficulties". In hagiography: Anthony the Qurayshite, born Ruhi, was a convert to Christianity from Islam, the nephew of Harun al-Rashid. He was martyred for refusing to return to Islam. Excerpt from the Chronicle of Patriarch Michael Rabo: "In this period was a heathen man (an Arab) of the tribe of Quraysh, whose name was Ruwayyih. His house was adjacent to a Christian church, and constantly listened to the prayers. He looked through the window, and vexed the priest by casting at him pellets made of clay during the Sacrifice (the celebration of the Eucharist). One day while he was looking at the priest through the window, as was his custom, Almighty God, who knows everything even before it happens, had mercy on him. The man saw in the middle of the paten a slain lamb rolling in blood instead of the bread and the wine. Shocked by this spectacle, he went to see the priest in order to verify what he had seen. When he looked carefully, he saw in the paten the lamb broken into pieces and dribbling with blood. However, the priest did not know what went on until the man told him the whole story. The priest began to teach him the holy mysteries, and the man (Ruwayyih) left his house, entered a monastery and was baptized. When the report of this man reached King (Caliph) Harun, he summoned him and asked him about the story. He said with great courage that what he saw was from God, and that he would never deny Christianity even if he was tortured and cut to pieces. They (Harun) bound him in iron fetters, and shut him up in prison for two years. After immense torture, Harun summoned Ruwayyih the second time and promised him precious gifts if he denied Christ. When he remained unshaken, he commanded that his head be cut off, and had (his corpse) hung on the wall of Raphka. Many people saw the light that came down from heaven and rested on his head. A certain Christian man from the country of Persia took it down and carried it to his city." RSoH