Holy Martyr Potitus the Youth (II)

The holy Martyr Potitus was born into a pagan family. At thirteen he came to know the Christian teaching, believed in the true God and was baptised. When his father learned of this, he was greatly grieved. He tried to win his son back first with affection and admonitions, and then with threats, but could do nothing; then, overcome by the boy’s firmness, he himself followed Christ. Saint Potitus went through many lands preaching the Gospel. By the grace of God his preaching was confirmed by miracles and healings.

In the region of Epirus lived a noble lady, Cyriaca, the wife of a senator, who fell ill with leprosy. When she learned of Saint Potitus, she invited the saint to her and asked him to treat her. The saint answered that if she believed in Christ she would be healed. Cyriaca was baptised and miraculously healed. Having witnessed the wonders, her whole household believed in the true God and were baptised.

After this Potitus settled on Mount Garganus and began a solitary life. Here he was met by servants of the Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161), who asked him to go with them to the palace to heal the emperor’s daughter, who was possessed by a demon. Saint Potitus healed the sick girl, but Antoninus repaid the blessed one’s kindness with inhuman cruelty. He attributed his daughter’s healing to the pagan gods and ordered Potitus to offer sacrifice to them. The saint refused to obey the order and boldly confessed Christ. Enraged by this, the autocrat had his tongue torn out and his eyes put out. After long torment the holy martyr was beheaded (+138–161).