Holy Martyr Gordius (IV)

The holy Martyr Gordius was born at the end of the third century in Caesarea of Cappadocia, into a Christian family. When he grew up, he entered military service and soon earned the rank of centurion for the courage he showed in battle. In the fourth century, when the persecution of the Christians was renewed, the saint withdrew from the world and went into the desert, to prepare himself by God-pleasing labour to confess the sweetest name of the Saviour. In 320 Gordius openly came before the prefect of the city in defence of the Christians, for which he was seized and, after cruel tortures, beheaded.