CATECHESIS & DAILY INSPIRATION
The Holy Martyr Leontius, and with him Martyrs Hypatius and Theodulus, at Tripolis in Phoenicia (73)
Reflections and Daily Inspiration
“We know from the lives of the saints and from Holy Scripture that from their mother’s womb, children can sense the presence of God.”
―  Sister Magdalen
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SAINT OF THE DAY

 JULY 1 / JUNE 18
The Holy Martyr Leontius, and with him Martyrs Hypatius and Theodulus, at Tripolis in Phoenicia (73)

Leontius was a Roman commander in Tripoli in Phoenicia during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. He was born in Greece and was “of great physical stature, powerful, strong and brave in battles.” Hadri- an, the imperial deputy, sent a military detachment to arrest Leontius, for Hadrian was a fierce adversary and persecutor of Christians. Hypatius, the senior officer of this detachment, became ill en route with a bitter fever, because of which the detachment had to
slow down its march. One night an angel of God appeared to Hypatius and said to him: “If you want to be well, cry out three times toward heaven with all your soldiers, ‘O God of Leontius, help me!’”
Hypatius informed his companions of his vision and all in unison cried out as the angel had instructed, and immediately Hypatius became well. This miracle astonished all, but especially a certain Theodulus. Hypatius and Theodulus then went ahead of the other soldiers to seek Commander Leontius. Leontius received them graciously and served them. When he expounded his faith in Christ to them, their hearts burned with love for Christ, and at that moment a bright cloud descended upon Hypatius and Theodulus and dew fell upon them from the cloud. It was the Holy Spirit of God Himself baptizing these converted souls, and at that moment St. Leontius spoke these words: “In the name of the All-holy Trin- ity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” The evil Hadrian, learning that Hypatius and Theodulus had become Christians, ordered that they be scourged without mercy and then beheaded with an axe. Thus reposed these two spiritual children of Leontius.

Then Hadrian decreed cruel tortures for Leontius, but Leontius remained unwavering in his holy Faith. His entire body was covered with wounds, but he diligently prayed that God not abandon him. In the midst of the cruelest torments, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, encouraging and comforting him. Finally the torturers knocked the martyr Leontius to the ground and beat him until he gave up his soul to God. The sufferings of St. Leontius were personally witnessed by a certain Notarius, who recorded all that he saw on lead tablets and placed them in the martyr’s grave. St. Leontius suffered honorably in the year 73.