Holy Martyr Aemilian (+363)

The holy Martyr Aemilian died for Christ in the reign of the Emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363). Julian wished to restore the cult of the pagan gods in the empire, and so he sent orders to every corner of the country to kill all the Christians.

To the city of Durostorum on the bank of the river Danube, where Saint Aemilian lived, came Capitolinus, a high official of the king, to carry out the emperor’s order.

Saint Aemilian went into the pagans’ temple, smashed the statues of the false gods, overturned the altars, and hid. Soon the pagans learned that their temple had been wrecked and, in their rage, began to beat a peasant who happened to be passing nearby. Saint Aemilian took pity on the innocent peasant and declared publicly: “It was I who smashed the idols.” The godless seized him and brought him to the judge Capitolinus. By the official’s order the blessed one was cruelly beaten and then sentenced to be burned. Thrown onto the pyre, Aemilian remained unharmed, while many pagans who had gathered round to watch were consumed by the flames. At last, when the wood had burned down, the martyr commended his soul to the Lord in prayer (+363). Later a church dedicated to Saint Aemilian was built in Constantinople, and his incorrupt relics were translated there.