Seven noble youths of Ephesus, according to the legend, who fled in the Decian persecution (250) to a cave in Mount Celion.
After 230 years, or, according to some versions, 309 years, they awoke, but soon died, and their bodies were taken to Marseilles in a large stone coffin, still shown in Victor's church.
Their names are Constantine, Dionysius, John, Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, and Serapion.
This fable took its rise from misapprehension of the words, "They fell asleep in the Lord"--i.e., died. According to the Koran, the Sleepers had a dog named Katmir who kept watch over them.
