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- Holy Hieromartyr Eleutherius, Bishop of Illyria, and those with him (126)
- His name is a form of the Greek word for "freedom." He was a native
of Rome whose father died at a young age, leaving him to be brought up
by his mother Anthia, a Christian who reared him in the fear of God and
the love of holiness. His virtue and ability were so evident that he
was ordained a priest at the age of seventeen and at twenty was made
Bishop of Illyria, a large see roughly comprising modern-day Serbia.
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The young bishop's pastoral and evangelistic work was so successful
that many pagans
were converted to the Faith through him. His growing reputation drew
the attention of the
Emperor Hadrian, who sent one of his senior officers named Felix to
arrest the holy bishop. But when Felix saw and heard Eleutherius, he
was captivated by his teaching, believed in Christ, and was baptized.
He and the St Eleutherius returned and presented themselves together
before the Emperor, fearlessly confessing their faith.
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Eleutherius was subjected to brutal torture, during which the city
prefect Coremonus,
who had suggested some of the tortures, was enlightened through the
Saint's prayers for his
enemies, and proclaimed Christ. He was baptized by Eleutherius and
later beheaded. After a
time, when it became clear that fire and torture would not move the holy
bishop, he was taken to the amphitheater and beheaded. At the moment
of his death, his mother Anthia rushed forward
and took his body in her arms. There she also was beheaded by the
executioners.
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Pregnant women call on St Eleutherius that they may have a safe delivery.
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source: http://www.abbamoses.com |
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Category: Today's saint |
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