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Commemorated on March 10
The Holy Martyrs
Kodratos of Nicomedia, Satorinos, Ruphynos and others suffered during the
time of persecution by the emperor Decius (249-251) and his successor Valerian
(253-259).
Saint Kodratos was
descended from an illustrious family. Possessing considerable wealth, the saint
did not spare means for the help of brother christians, languishing in prison
for the faith.
When the envoy of the
impious Decius – the pro-consul Perennius – arrived in Nicomedia, Saint
Kodratos came then voluntarily before him, so as to strengthen the courage of
the imprisoned brethren by his self-sacrificing decision. At first Perennius
attempted to lure Kodratos from Christ, promising him reward and honours. Then,
seeing the futility of his attempts, he cast the saint into prison and gave
orders to put his back on small nails and to lay on him a large stone.
Setting out for
Nicea, the pro-consul commanded to bring after him all the imprisoned
christians, in which number also was Saint Kodratos. Upon arrival in the city,
Saint Kodratos implored that they would lead them to the pagan temple. Just as
they untied his hands and feet, he turned to the idols and began to overturn
and destroy them. By order of the pro-consul, they gave Kodratos over to
torture. Enduring terrible torments, the saint held firm in spirit and by his
act encouraged the other martyrs, whose wounds they seared with burning
candles.
At the time of the
suffering of the martyrs there shone suddenly a brilliant cloud, but the pagans
found themselves in total darkness. In the ensuing silence was heard the quiet
singing of Angels glorifying God. Many of those present there confessed themselves
christians. Perennius, having ascribed the miracle to an act of sorcery, gave
orders to take out to prison the newly chosen of God.
From Nicea the
martyrs set out behind the pro-consul to Apameia, then to Caesarea, Apollonia
and the Hellespont, where they tortured them in all sorts of ways, striving for
renunciations.
They tied Saint
Kodratos into a sack, filled with poisonous serpents, and threw it for the
night into a deep pit. On the following morning everyone in astonishment saw
the martyr whole and unharmed. When they began to beat him mercilessly, two
noblemen – Satorinos and Ruphynos – were moved with pity for the martyr. This
was observed, and Satorinos and Ruphynos were beheaded.
Perennius subjected
the martyr to yet more fierce and refined tortures, but was not able to break
his spirit. The saint lost his strength and was hardly able to move. For the
last time the pro-consul urged the martyr to abjure Christ. Marshalling his strength,
the saint firmly replied: "Since childhood I do acknowledge the one only
God – Christ, and any other I know not". The pro-consul gave orders to
light up the bonfire, make red-hot the iron grate and throw on it the martyr.
Having blessed himself with the sign of the cross, Saint Kodratos let himself
down upon the red-hot couch, and having lain upon it as upon a soft bed, he
came out unharmed from the flames. In frustrated spite the pro-consul gave
orders to behead the Saint Kodratos.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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