September 19: Zosimas, Martyr and Hermit of Cilicia

One of the saints to be commemorated this Thursday is the martyr Zosimas who lived in the desert of Sicily in the fourth century.  One day, the governor of Sicily, a pagan named Dometian went hunting in the wild and came upon the martyr.  He saw him calmly interacting with the wild animals around him and was amazed.  He asked Zosimas how it was that he was able to live out in the wilderness rather than in the city.  Zosimas answered that he was a Christian, and preferred to live in peace in the wilderness with the animals for companions, rather than endure persecution as he would if he lived among the pagans in the city.  When asked what kind of training or magic kept the wild beasts from harming him, he replied that he was a Christian.  At this, the emperor was enraged and threatened Zosimas with torture and certain death if he refused to renounce his belief in Christ.  Zosimas was arrested and tied upside down with a large stone around his neck while he endured a scourging similar to Our Lord’s.  The soldiers also taunted him saying, "If the beasts do listen to you, tell one of them to come here, and then we will believe in your God."   At that, Zosimas began to pray and a huge lion appeared, went up to the martyr and tried to lift the stone to ease his suffering.  Everyone ran in fear.  The governor, afraid as well, gave orders to free the saint, but he was already with Christ in heaven.  

In order to remember our friend Zosimas, my little band of saints have baked up some lion cupcakes!  Just use your family's favorite recipe and ice as usual, but be sure either to use peanut butter icing, or to tint your icing with a few drops of yellow food coloring to make your helpful beasts just the right shade.  Next, take a box of carmel corn, or even your favorite breakfast cereal flake and assemble a row of it around the edge to make the lion's mane.  Two cheerios will make ears and chocolate chips are the eyes and nose.  Add two mini-marshmallow cheeks, or two white chocolate discs ( melting chocolate, like in the picture) and your lion is nearly complete.  If you choose, melt a few chocolate chips in a bowl in your microwave and spoon the melted chocolate into a zipper bag.  Cut the tip off the corner and pipe on a mouth and some whiskers to make him look complete.  

God bless and happy baking!...and decorating!...( and eating!)