The Holy Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Prusa, with three presbyters: Acacius, Menander and Polyenus
(362)
They suffered for the Christian Faith in Asian Prusa during the reign of Julian the Apostate. Junius the imperial deputy brought these saints to a hot spring and asked Patrick: “Who created these curative waters if not our gods Aesculapius and others whom we worship?” St. Patrick replied: “Your gods are demons and these waters, like everything else, were created by Christ the Lord, our God.” Then the deputy asked: “And will your Christ save you if I throw you into this boiling water?” The saint replied: “If He wills, He is able to preserve me whole and unharmed, even though I desire that in these waters I become separated from this temporary life to live with Christ eternally. But let His holy will be done, without which not even a hair from a man’s head can fall!” Hearing this, the deputy ordered that Patrick be cast into the boiling water. Drops of boiling water splashed on all sides and cruelly scalded many of those present, but the saint, whose lips were continually in prayer, remained unharmed as though he were standing in cold water. Seeing this, the deputy, deeply embarrassed, became enraged and ordered that Patrick and his three presbyters be beheaded with an ax. Then the innocent followers of Christ recited their prayers and placed their heads under the ax of the executioner. When they were beheaded, their joyful souls ascended to Christ’s Kingdom of Light, to reign forever.
