Holy Martyrs Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus (+70–79)
The holy Martyrs Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus (I) were Roman soldiers.
The godless Emperor Vespasian (70–79) appointed the senator Adrian governor of the region of Phoenicia and ordered him to torture and kill every Christian who refused to offer sacrifice to the idols. Adrian was told of a Christian, Leontius, who was fearlessly preaching Christianity. The king’s loyal official sent the tribune Hypatius with a detachment of soldiers to seize the saint. On the way the tribune fell gravely ill. When the dying man dozed off, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “If thou wishest to be healed, say three times together with the soldiers: ‘God of Leontius, help me.’” Hypatius woke up. The angel was still standing before him. “I have been sent to seize Leontius; how then can I call upon his Lord?” asked the astonished tribune. The sick man summoned the soldiers and told them of the vision. They carried out the angel’s command, and a miracle took place: Hypatius, lying on his deathbed, was healed. Carried away with joy, the soldiers gave themselves up to feasting and carousing. Only one of them, the tribune’s friend Theodulus, sat apart and pondered the meaning of what had happened. He begged Hypatius to go into the city to seek out the blessed Leontius.
As soon as they entered Tripoli the travellers were met by an unknown man, who invited them into his house and entertained them generously. When they learned that their host was Saint Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus fell at his knees and asked to be illumined with the light of the true faith. When Adrian learned what had happened, he ordered Saint Leontius, the tribune Hypatius, and Theodulus to be brought to him, and then gave orders that Saint Hypatius be hung on a tree and torn with iron hooks, and that the blessed Theodulus be beaten mercilessly with rods. When the tormentors saw the firmness of the lambs of Christ, they cut off their heads with the sword. Saint Leontius, after torture, was locked in prison, and in the morning brought before the governor. At the trial Adrian tried to tempt the valiant confessor with promises of honours and rewards, but he soon became convinced that every attempt to bend him was in vain, and handed him over to torment. The holy martyr hung head downwards all day long with a stone tied to his neck. The governor ordered him to be beaten with rods until he gave up his soul. The martyr’s holy body was thrown outside the city, but the Christians committed it to the earth with honour near Tripoli. This took place around 70–79.
