Holy Martyrs Marinus the Soldier and Asterius the Senator (+260)
The holy Martyrs Marinus the soldier and Asterius the senator died in the reign of the pagan Emperor Gallienus (260–268).
Saint Marinus served in Caesarea of Palestine, and for his courage and virtues he earned the respect even of the pagans. The valiant warrior was appointed centurion, but to receive the new rank it was necessary to take an oath calling on the names of the pagan gods. Marinus firmly refused to utter it. The judge gave the saint three hours to think it over: if he did not give up his disobedience, death awaited him.
As the Lord’s chosen one came out of the tribunal, Bishop Theotecnus met him and took him into the church. The hierarch pointed the blessed one first to the Gospel, and then to the sword fastened at his belt, and said to him: “Choose either the book of life, in which thy name will be written as a soldier of the heavenly King, or the sword with which thou servest the earthly king.” Marinus did not hesitate for a moment: he stretched out his hand towards the holy Gospel. Theotecnus strengthened and blessed the blessed one, and said to him: “Receive that which thou hast chosen.” With prayer and the hierarch’s blessing the martyr again refused before the judge to utter the pagan oath, for which he was beheaded.
The Roman senator Asterius was present at the saint’s martyrdom. He pleased God by his pious life and was a firm Christian, and although the Christians were cruelly persecuted, he stood unshaken in his faith. Once, while in Palestine, the blessed one came to Caesarea Philippi. Here, according to custom, a pagan sacrifice was being offered. The demon dwelling in the idol made the sacrifice that had been offered disappear, which the godless considered a great miracle. Saint Asterius drove the evil spirit out of the statue of the false god.
When Saint Marinus was put to death, Asterius took off his rich senator’s robe, spread it on the ground, wrapped the martyr’s precious body in it, carried it on his own shoulders to the grave, and buried it. For this act he was seized and sentenced to be beheaded. The lamb of Christ commended his soul to the Lord in 260.
