Monk Madness did NOT disappoint 😤🐪 The father of all monks showed exactly why he holds that title as Anthony the Great proved too much for Paul of Thebes, taking the win 57.16% to 42.84% 🏜️👑
But now we head over to the Apostles & Allies side and this one is exactly what it sounds like…A group of DOZERS vs a DOUBTER 😅🔥
The Apostle to India, Thomas the Apostle, squares off against Ephesus’ most well-rested crew, the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus 😴⚔️
One brought the Gospel across continents, the others took a miraculous nap that rings out through the Abrahamic Faiths
They say styles make the matchups and this one is WILD 🤯 Can Thomas outlast this Magnificent Seven? Or will the Sleepers dream their way into the Saintly Sixteen? Only one advances… YOU decide 🗳️🔥
Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
We know in the blessed year of Our Lord 2026 that words matter, and I’m here to pitch that maybe “sleepers” sells these young men a bit short. In fact, Wikipedia uses the phrase “they chose to give their worldly goods to the poor and retire to a mountain cave to pray, where they fell asleep.” Sounds lovely, honestly.
That casts a very different picture than the rest of their story. The Seven Sleepers were isolated and forced to choose between renouncing their faith and bowing to Roman idols. They begged off the torture of the Romans, sold their worldly goods, and found their way to a cave for a nap. The Emperor Decius, who was persecuting those secretly practicing Christianity around AD 250, found them and yet gave them a second chance, as emperors are known to do. But our Sleepy Seven still resisted the insistence to bow to idols and to give up their faith. So, the Emperor became angry, as emperors are known to do, and had the cave sealed with the Sleepy Seven inside, essentially burying them alive.
As the story goes, Emperor Decius died shortly after. Within a few decades, Christianity was no longer a faith to be kept in private but quickly became a religion of the state. Somewhere just outside of Ephesus, years later (either 195 or 373 years, or something like that), a landowner decided he needed to crack open a dusty old cave on his property to get it ready for some cattle, and he was shocked to find not just space for his cows, but also seven sleeping beauties. They awoke, and while no account I read validates this, I imagine them stretching and rubbing their eyes, their voices creaking a bit as the one they sent out into town to buy bread skipped past this landowner. After they awoke, they had made a plan after their “one night of sleep” to continue on, running away from Emperor Decius, but the bread-getter was shocked to find crosses on buildings and that his money was outdated. He returned to the cave to tell his friends that they had not been asleep for one night, but for years, and that Christ continues to reign as king!
The story of these sleepy saints travels through centuries of our faith through the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. There is also a similar version of the story found in the Quran, known as the Companions of the Cave. The feast of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus is celebrated on July 27th, and they are remembered for both their steadfastness and their willingness to powernap through centuries of change as if it were just one night.
— Becca Kello
Collect for Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servants the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thomas the Apostle
How would you like your name to be forever remembered as part of an epithet, based on one sentence you uttered at a particularly challenging time in your life? That’s what happened to Thomas the apostle, often referred to as “doubting Thomas.” But consider this: while we know almost nothing about where Thomas came from or what he did before he joined Jesus’ ministry, and though his name isn't attached to any Gospel, he’s still one of the 12 you’re most likely to be able to name off the top of your head.
Maybe that’s just because “doubting Thomas” is so catchy (it’s certainly stuck better than his other nickname, “The Twin”). But when we stop to consider not only Thomas’s famous moment of “doubt,” but almost everything he says and does in the New Testament, we start to notice that Thomas is an extremely relatable apostle. You might even think of him as an “audience surrogate,” standing in for us in a handful of gospel lessons.
When Jesus is willing to put himself in mortal danger in order to return to Judea and raise Lazarus from the dead, Thomas encourages the apostles to accompany Christ, but wisely acknowledges that they’ll all be risking their lives (John 11:16). At the Last Supper (John 14:5), it’s not hard to relate to Thomas when he requests more clarity from Jesus about where he’s going and how they can follow him there (“Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”).
And in John 20, there’s that famous moment of doubt: Thomas wasn’t there when the other apostles got to see the risen Christ, and when they tell him “we have seen the Lord!” Thomas is not ready to take their word for it. He won’t buy that whoever they’ve seen is really their Messiah, “unless I see the nail marks in his hands and his side.” A week later, he is given just that opportunity, and that’s all he needs to believe. Without Thomas’s skepticism, we would not have received those treasured words from Christ, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas’s relatability carries on even past the ascension, past the gospels, past the New Testament. When the apostles scattered across the map to spread Christ’s message, Thomas was sent all the way to India. His initial reaction? “Nope.” It was so far away! He wasn’t healthy enough! He would never be able to be a convincing messenger to such a different culture! Eventually, of course, Thomas saw the light (though not before seeing Jesus in a vision, which still didn’t convince him, and then being sold into slavery?!) and founded the first Christian communities in India. While Thomas was martyred in Chennai, in 72 AD, the church he built in the region has persisted through the millennia. There remains a religious community in that part of the world that traces their origins to his mission there — in English, they are called the “Saint Thomas Christians.”
— Marissa Flaxbart
Collect for Thomas the Apostle
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
96 comments on “Seven Sleepers of Ephesus vs. Thomas the Apostle”
I was today years old when I found out about the Seven Sleepers and I went to Catholic school.
As my dear sainted grandpa was wont to say, "Every day is a school day."
I always imagined Thomas sounding like Eeyore when he said, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." But thank you, Marissa, for giving me a different way of seeing this statement. Yes, it's still not cheery. But maybe Thomas wants to be with Jesus, even if it meant death, like Peter's, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, …."
We named out son Thomas and I'm a twin. Thomas for me and for the Golden Halo.
Never heard of 7 Rip Van Winkles in church before. I thought they might be friends of Eutychus who fell asleep listening to Paul.
St. Thomas gets my vote today because I too am a visual learner & thank God every day for clarity of vision & reason,
Or Peer Gynt
I had never heard of the seven sleepers before, but throughout Becca's great write-up I wondered if Washington Irving did when he wrote about Rip Van Winkle. Glad someone else also thought of Mr VanWinkle at this.
While I appreciate the ability to sleep through traumatic times (like now), I cannot vote for the sleepers. I have always appreciated Thomas and now I am a member of St. Thomas' Church! So of course I vote for him.
Several years ago ABC broadcast a show called "Nothing Sacred", about Father Ray, an unconventional priest in an urban parish. The series dealt with challenging and human issues every week. His church was aptly named for St. Thomas. Alas, it met with a lot of resistance from traditional Catholics who were troubled by the issues it raised, and it wasn't long before it was cancelled, even with a few episodes left unbroadcast.
My vote today is for St. Thomas, the Curious, the Questioning. Jesus never condemned his questions, but instead replied with what Thomas needed to solidify his belief and minister to a people group so unlike himself.
I gave the seven sleepers an open mind, but I am hoping my great cloud of witnesses is not power napping. I think Thomas’s doubt is not just human but vital. I voted for Thomas because reason and skepticism are necessary for the church. I disagree with the collect that we should “believe without doubt.” If we didn’t have doubt, we wouldn’t need faith. Isn’t there something about an “inquiring and discerning mind”? One of the three legs of our famous stool is reason. I hope our faith will always be robust enough to accommodate our fears, our doubts, our bodies, our joys.
Hi, St. Celia. Exactly! As Frederick Buechner wrote, "Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith."
Haha, looks like I'm busted this time! Although I can relate more readily to Thomas, the story of the Seven Sleepers was so interesting (and I had never heard of it) it got my vote.
The seven sleepers are getting sleeped on
we are all Thomas
The Orthodox Church next door to our parish in Morris, NY, is named for "The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus." I had never heard of them before, so appreciate knowing the story as told here!
When I took Church History, I was assigned to present the history of "the Church in Asia" to the class (in lieu of a term paper; as a former teacher, I see this was win-win for the prof). Fascinating and extensive stuff. That when I learned about Mar Thoma Christians and was convinced that Thomas did indeed go there. So my vote. I am, however, delighted to learn about the Seven.
We named our son Thomas and he lived up to the nickname names doubting Thomas.
I do love lent Madness for the learning. It was lovely to read about the Seven Sleepers today, but my heart has always gone out to Thomas and the negative press he can get in stories for doubting. So my vote is going to him and for all the Tom's in my life: in my family, a grade school sweetie, and maddest of all, my favorite Doctor: Tom Baker!
Tom Baker is also my favourite Doctor haha!
My childhood sweetheart was Tommy from junior choir so I have a weakness for guys named Tom!
So, seven sleepy folks whose actual existence is truly doubtful are deemed okay to potentially share one golden halo along with their feast day (July 27) -- but not both quirky but also indisputably holy Peter and Paul, with their shared feast day of June 29? SEC dudes, you do remember that we Episcopalians have a long history of being egregiously unamused by curve balls, yes? And what's next? The Venerable Lil Abner of Dogpatch, Patron Saint of Mattress Testers?
Oh, well. I learned about 7 storied saintly folks today -- and I like that their story is shared across faith traditions. The faithful Apostle Thomas, however, has always resonated with me, and his faithfulness to Christ's Great Commission left a substantial footprint on the earth. I'll leave the underdogs in their cave this time.
It would seem the difference is one is an actual group of saints, like we will see with Constance and her companions and the martyrs of Uganda. Peter and Paul might be in a band, but their sainthood and ministry are independent.
While I adore the story of the Seven Sleepers and wish I could take such an extended nap during the era I'm living through now, I voted for Thomas the Apostle.
I think that Thomas gets a bum rap. After all, he was only asking for the same experience as the other apostles. I wonder if it was Thomas who first saw Jesus by himself how would they have responded. “Thomas, we know that you saw something, but let’s get real. We’ll all believe it when we see it!”
I could not vote for the seven dwarfs who were probably guarding Sleeping Beauty. Besides I am married to Tom who was born doubting.
It will probably be the most obvious outcome in this year’s Lent Madness, that Thomas will, and should, go on, as he is a source of such inspiration and hope to all of us who have ever felt doubt but carried on in faith. But what “fun” to learn about the Sleepers! I really love that story and am so glad it was chosen to be presented here.
Doubting Thomas is one of my favorites so I would probably vote for him anyway but I don’t think a candidate for Saint of the year should have to run against a whole team of hermits.
He doesn't seem to be having any trouble with it!
I’m sorry - not knowing anything about the 7 sleepers before, I kept getting distracted by the fairy tales”The Seven Dwarves.”
I am not sure how 7 sleepers can share one Golden Halo, but with God all things are possible.
I voted for Thomas, because he was also known as "The Twin". My twin and I will be celebrating our birthday next week.
I bet we all identify with Thomas at times in our lives. And if our faith can’t abide some doubt now and then, it’s not really faith. If not doubt, at least some confusion. I think it makes our faith stronger.
Cute story about the sleepyheads, but I’m all in for Thomas.(I also think Peter is a bit like him. Just in a different manifestation. )
I know I am on the losing side here, but I love the story of the Seven Sleepers. Thomas has all the support he needs, no doubt about it. So, wake up, sleepers and enlighten the world!
I'm usually willing to swallow a heaping helping of legendary fluff, but the story of the seven sleepers is just too fairy tale for me. Makes Thomas seem even more relatable in contrast.
Unless I can touch the blankets, and listen to the snores, I will not believe. -- attr. to St. Thomas
Thomas did write a gospel, albeit gnostic. I voted for the seven sleepers of thieves as I was asleep and didn’t know anything about them.
Oops. I am asleep. These are the sleepers of Ephesus.
I voted for the Sleepers, in part because I think we need the fantastical. But also because I have often fallen asleep during prayer, but am always reassured by the notion that even then I continue in God's presence and the angels continue my prayer. Whether we be sleeping or waking, God will what God will and all will be well.
Many stories of faith read like fairy tales, being more metaphorical than factual. Thomas may be the frontrunner but my vote goes to the drowsy underdogs who give a new level of meaning to being woke.
God bless him, but I always thought Thomas got a bum deal. I got picked on a LOT in (Catholic) grade school whenver that story came up, even though there were at least two other Tommys in my class, so I have great sympathy for him. OF COURSE he gets my vote. I waited a long time so now I cna stand up for him!
Thomas did the work! He is all of us.