Eleazar (2 Maccabees)

thumb|The martyrdom of Eleazar the scribe (Gustave Doré, 1866) Eleazar was a Jewish martyr who died during the persecution of Judaism in Judea ordered by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Together with the woman with seven sons, he is one of the "Holy Maccabean Martyrs" celebrated by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and riental Orthodox churches. In the Eastern Orthodox calendar their feast day is August 1. Quotes (To those who advised him, in order to avoid martyrdom, to pretend to eat the pork imposed by the king) At this stage of my life it would be terribly wrong to be a party to such a pretense,” he said, “for many young people would be led to believe that at the age of ninety Eleazar had conformed to a foreign practice. If I should engage in deceit for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring defilement and disgrace on my old age. For the moment I would avoid the punishment of mortals, but alive or dead I shall never escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely forfeiting my life now, I shall prove myself worthy of my old age. 2 Maccabees 6:24-27 NCB. (Last words) The Lord in his holy knowledge clearly realizes that although I could have escaped death, not only am I enduring terrible sufferings in my body from this scourging, but in my soul I am gladly accepting these torments because of my awe of him. 2 Maccabees 6:30 NCB. Quotes about Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the law, a man of advanced age and distinguished appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But he, preferring death with honor rather than a life marked by defilement, spat it out and voluntarily went up to the torture rack... 2 Maccabees 6:18-19 NCB. External links Category:BCE births Category:BCE deaths Category:Martyrs Category:Jews Category:People from the Bible Category:Catholic saints Category:Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church