The Holy Martyr Concordius

Commemorated on June 4

The Holy Martyr Concordius, son of the presbyter Gordian, was raised in piety and faith in Christ, and therefore the bishop of Rome Pius made him a sub-deacon. Together with his father, Saint Concordius made fasting and prayers, and he generously distributed alms to the needy. With the permission of his father he settled not far from Rome with his kinsman Evtychius and began to spend his days in prayer and good deeds. The reknown of his pious life reached even the head of the Tussa region, Torquatus. Having summoned the saint, he urged him to renounce Christ, promising to make him a priest of the pagan gods, while Saint Concordius in turn urged Torquatus to turn to the True God – Jesus Christ. They beat the martyr and threw him into prison. Holy Bishop Anthymus, a friend of Torquatus, made entreaty to release the prisoner to him. Saint Concordius lived with him for a certain while and was ordained presbyter. When Torquatus again summoned the saint and asked him, what he thought about his life, the saint answered, that life for him – is Christ. They bound him and locked him up in prison, chaining him by the neck and hands to the wall. Three days later Torquatus sent his assistant to the prison, with an order demanding that the martyr either offer sacrifice to the gods, or be condemned to death. The saint cried out: "Glory to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ", and spat on the idol of Zeus carried by the soldiers. He himself bent his neck beneathe the sword. His death occurred in about the year 175. His relics rest in Italy, not far from the city of Spoleto.