The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
Eutychius (741)
Taken Captive
Roman nobleman Eutychius lived during the reign of Byzantine emperor Leo III, at the time when the empire was being attacked by invading Islamic forces. In this era the Christians suffered at the hands of both the emperor and the Muslims.
Eutychius was taken prisoner by the Muslim Arabs under the caliph and held in captivity for many months. Along with several other Christians he was put to death in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) for refusing to renounce Christ in 741.
O come, O come, Immanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice, Rejoice! Immanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Translated by John M K Neale (1818-1866)