Holy Martyr Acacius the Centurion

The holy Martyr Acacius (+303) was born in Cappadocia and was a centurion of the Martesian regiment. When, by order of the Emperor Maximian Galerius (305–311), the persecution of Christians began, the tribune Firmus questioned his soldiers one by one. Saint Acacius firmly and publicly confessed Christianity. Firmus sent him to the commander Vibianus. By Vibianus’s order Saint Acacius was cruelly tortured, then heavy fetters were put on him and he was locked in a cell. A little later the martyr was taken with other Christians to Byzantium. When they stopped for the night, the saint gave thanks to the Lord for his sufferings. During the prayer the holy martyr heard a voice from heaven: “Be strong, Acacius!” The other prisoners heard this voice too and believed in Christ.

In Byzantium the holy martyr was treated harshly, while the others’ lot was made somewhat easier. At night the prisoners saw young men clothed in light come to the saint, wash his wounds and bring him food. Seven days later Vibianus summoned Saint Acacius again, and when he saw his face full of life he thought that the guard had been bringing the saint food; he had him brought and questioned him severely. In vain the guard protested his innocence: Vibianus ordered him to be flogged. Then Saint Acacius himself answered the tormentor: “Firmness and strength were given me by the Lord Jesus Christ, and He also healed my wounds.” The enraged Vibianus had the saint cruelly beaten and sent him for further torture to the governor Flaccinus, who without a second thought beheaded the confessor of Christ.

In the time of Saint Constantine the Great the saint’s holy relics rested in Constantinople; later they were translated to Calabria, to the city of Squillace.