Martyr Philetus and His Wife Lydia; Macedon, Theoprepius, Cronides and Amphilochius (+117–138)

The Martyr Philetus and his wife Lydia; Macedon, Theoprepius, Cronides and Amphilochius (+117–138). Saint Philetus was a courtier of the lawless Emperor Hadrian (117–138). For publicly confessing Christ, Saint Philetus, with his wife Lydia and their sons Macedon and Theoprepius, stood before the tribunal. By Hadrian’s order Saint Philetus and his family were sent to Illyria, to the commander Amphilochius. By Amphilochius’s order the martyrs were hung on a tree and cut with knives, and after the torture thrown into prison. Together with them the newly converted head of the prison, Cronides, was imprisoned. At night an angel of the Lord appeared to the martyrs and strengthened them. The next day they were thrown into a cauldron full of boiling oil, but by God’s providence the martyrs remained unharmed. Amphilochius was so astounded by this miracle that he believed in the power of Christ, and himself plunged into the boiling oil with the prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” God’s boundless mercy protected the commander too. The Emperor Hadrian himself was present at the further torments of the martyrs. The providence of God brought the saints unharmed out of every torment.

The shamed emperor returned to Rome. And the martyrs of Christ gave thanks to God and met their end in prayer.