Martyr Agapius and seven with him
303
These holy Martyrs contested during the reign of Diocletian 284-305), in Palestinian Caesarea. All eight were very young; only Agapius was a baptized Christian. Urbanus, the governor of the region, observed a pagan festival by having some Christians publicly tortured and executed: some by fire, others on the gallows, some by being thrown to wild beasts in the arena. Six of the youths (Timolaus, Dionysius, Romulus, Plesius, and two named Alexander), seeing the patience and serenity with which the Christians endured their torments, were reached by the Holy Spirit and, tying their own hands, presented themselves to Urbanus saying ‘We too are Christians!’ They were immediately cast into prison. A few days later Agapius, a prominent Christian in that town, also presented himself along with a second Dionysius. All eight were beheaded together at Caesarea. Their martyrdom is recorded in Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History.
The Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain
Saint Aristobulus, a native of Cyprus and one of the Seventy Apostles, was the brother of the Apostle Barnabas and a companion of Saint Paul on his missionary journeys. Saint Paul mentions him in his Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:10).
Saint Paul made Aristobulus a bishop and sent him to preach the Gospel in Britain, Scotland, and Ireland, where he converted many people to Christ. He built churches, baptised converts, and ordained clergy—presbyters and deacons—for the spiritual wellbeing of his flock. He had to endure many torments and afflictions from hostile pagans, who beat him and mocked him. Eventually, he won them over and brought them to the Christian faith.
Saint Aristobulus preached and died in Roman Britain. Whilst some Orthodox traditions say he died in peace, others say he was martyred in Wales.
The Hieromartyr Alexander of Side, Pamphylia
The Hieromartyr Alexander was a priest from Sidi (Side) in Pamphylia. He suffered for Christ during a time of persecution in the reign of Emperor Aurelian (270-275).
When the prefect Antoninus arrived at Sidi he ordered Alexander to be brought before him for interrogation. During his interrogation, the Saint replied, "I am a Christian, a priest, a shepherd of Christ's rational flock."
Alexander endured various tortures. He was beaten and tormented on a wheel, and plunged into a vessel of boiling resin and oil. He was then placed in a fiery furnace, where the tormentors saw in the flames two young men with handsome faces, praising God alongside the Holy Martyr. These were Angels, cooling the flames of the furnace.
His body was pierced with iron needles and his intestines fell out. He was then thrown to wild animals to be devoured, but the beasts did not touch him. Finally, the Hieromartyr Alexander was beheaded with a sword.
The Holy Martyr Agapius and Seven Companions
The holy martyrs Agapius, Publius, Timolaus, Romulus, and two each named Alexander and Dionysius suffered together in Caesarea, Palestine. All eight were very young at the time of their martyrdom. Only Agapius was initially a baptised Christian. Six of the youths (Timolaus, Dionysius, Romulus, and two named Alexander), witnessing the patience and serenity of the Christians under torment, were reached by the Holy Spirit and, binding their own hands, presented themselves to the prefect Urbanus, declaring "We too are Christians!"
He cast them into prison alongside the already imprisoned Agapius and his servant Dionysius. All eight were beheaded together at Caesarea under the persecution of Emperor Diocletian.
Holy Martyr Alexander
c. 275
“He was from the town of Side in Pamphylia. The Emperor Aurelian’s governor asked him who he was, to which Alexander replied that he was a pastor of the flock of Christ. ‘And where is this flock of Christ’, further enquired the evil and suspicious governor. Alexander replied: ‘Over the whole world live the people whom Christ the Lord created, among whom those who believe in Him are His sheep, but those who have fallen away from their Creator, who are enslaved to creation and the work of men’s hands, to dead idols, such as you, are strangers to His flock, and at the Dreadful Judgement of God will be put to the left with the goats.’ The wicked judge first commanded that he be whipped with iron flails and then thrown into a burning furnace. But the fire could in no way harm him. Then he was flayed and after that thrown to the wild beasts. But the beasts would not touch him. At last the governor ordered that he be beheaded. But as soon as the judge pronounced the sentence, an evil spirit took hold of him and made him rabid. He was led howling to his gods, the idols, but on the way the evil spirit wrested his wicked soul from him. St Alexander suffered between 270 and 275.’ (Prologue)
He is commemorated March 14 on the Greek calendar.