Holy Martyrs Andrew, John, and John’s Sons Peter and Antoninus (IX)

The holy Martyrs Andrew, John and John’s sons Peter and Antoninus suffered in Africa under the rule of the fierce Ibrahim. After taking and laying waste the Sicilian city of Syracuse, Ibrahim took captive John and his two sons, Peter and Antoninus, whom he had forcibly educated in the Arabic language and sciences. When the youths grew up, the ruler came to love them so much for their wisdom and devout life that he declared Antoninus his kinsman and appointed Peter chief of his servants. When Ibrahim learned that the young men were secret Christians, he was seized by indescribable fury and ordered the Lord’s chosen ones to be put in iron fetters and beaten without mercy. After long torment Antoninus was put on a donkey, tied onto it with straps, and led round the city amid blows, curses and abuse. The martyr bore the insults patiently and gave thanks to the Lord. Saint Peter, terribly beaten, was thrown into prison. The ruler gave orders to bring the martyrs’ father, John. The lawless Ibrahim drove a sword into his throat. The father’s body was thrown to his sons, and then they too were put to death; a great pyre was lit, and the martyrs’ bodies were burned.

Their spiritual father, the holy monk Andrew, the tormentor tortured for a long time with hunger, and then drove a spear into his breast. When the martyr sent up thanks to the Lord, Ibrahim struck him a second time, and at last, when he had almost been drained of blood, the executioners beheaded him (+867–886).