Holy Martyr Hermenegild, Prince of the Goths (+586)

The holy Martyr Hermenegild was the son of the king of the Goths; he was converted from the Arian heresy to Orthodoxy by Leander, a bishop of Spain. Hermenegild’s father held firmly to Arianism. He tried in every way to bend his son back to Arianism, but in vain. During the conflict that broke out between father and son over their faith, Hermenegild was seized and shut up in chains in a narrow, dark cell. On the eve of Easter an Arian bishop was sent to give communion to the imprisoned prince, but the Lord’s chosen one would not receive the heretic. The enraged Arians beheaded the blessed one. This happened in 586, on 13–14 April. The father, amazed at his son’s firmness in the faith and his courage, repented of what he had done, but could not bring himself to accept Orthodoxy, and ordered Bishop Leander at least to convert his heir Reccared to the true faith. After he became king, Reccared established Orthodoxy throughout the land.