This came about because, over the course of many years, whenever shepherds passed by that spot—the entrance to the cave—they would pry loose the bricks that had been walled up across it, until the opening once again stood ajar like a doorway.

When the youths awoke, they thought they had slept only a single night. They therefore said to their companion, the one who used to go out and buy their provisions, “Go, purchase some food for us and find out what has become of Decius.”

As soon as he stepped outside the cave, he looked at the masonry and the fallen stones, then made his way to the city gate—Ephesus—and there he saw a great cross erected upon it. The sight startled him. “I must be dreaming,” he murmured, rubbing his eyes and glancing right and left to see whether he recognized anyone, but he found no familiar face.

Bewildered, he said, “Perhaps I have taken the wrong road; maybe this is an altogether different city.”

He entered the town and offered in payment a few dirhams bearing the image of King Decius. At once the people grew suspicious and said, “He must have discovered a treasure!” They demanded, “Where did you get these coins? Tell us, or we will kill you.” He remained silent.

The crowd began shouting, and a large gathering formed around him, questioning him, but he would not answer. They hauled him before the city’s governor, who also spoke to him; still he kept silent, even when threatened.

He was then brought to the bishop of the city. The bishop addressed him sternly and warned, “If you do not speak and tell me where you obtained these coins, I will have you put to death.”