SEVEN SLEEPERS, saints.
According to the most widespread legend, a group of young Christians (the number varies from three to eight) took refuge in a cave near Ephesus during the persecution of Decius (249–51). When their hiding place was discovered, the Emperor ordered that they be walled up alive.
Under circumstances not well defined, they awoke, and, still fearing persecution, sent one of their number into the city to buy food. Then the wonderful fact of their sleep, which had lasted three centuries, was revealed.