Seven Sleepers

British  

plural noun

1. seven Christian youths from Ephesus who were walled up in a cave by the Emperor Decius in 250 _ad and, according to legend, slept for 187 years

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Example Sentences

Of The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus: "One is inclined to think that almost all Christians now have taken them for patron-saints."

From Time Magazine Archive

“What’s this I see and smell?” he exclaimed in a voice loud enough to awaken the Seven Sleepers.

From Phil Bradley's Snow-shoe Trail The Mountain Boys in the Canada Wilds by Boone, Silas K.

The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus slept their long sleep in a cave.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various

Had Aunt Abigail been a rival of the celebrated Seven Sleepers the combined tumult would have been pretty sure to arouse her.

From Peggy Raymond's Vacation or Friendly Terrace Transplanted by Harriet L.

For as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus were dead and yet alive, so are the souls of the authors in the care of their ancient leathern binding.

From The Hills and the Vale by Jefferies, Richard