The Holy Martyr Terence
Commemorated on April 10
The Holy Martyr
Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor Decius (249-251). The
emperor issued an edict, which commanded all subjects to offer sacrifice to the
pagan idols.
When the governor of
Africa Fortunatian received this edict, he gathered the people into the
city-square, set out cruel instruments of torture and declared, that everyone
without exception had to offer the sacrifice to the idols. Many, afraid of
torture, complied, but forty Christians with Saint Terence at their head
bravely stood forth for their faith in the Saviour. Fortunatian was amazed at
their boldness and he asked, how they as rational people, could confess as God,
One Who was crucified by the Jews as a malefactor. In answer to this, Saint
Terence boldly answered, that their belief was in the Saviour, Who voluntarily
endured death on the Cross and on the third day was resurrected. Fortunatian
perceived, that Terence by his example inspired the others, and so he gave
orders to isolate him in prison together with his three closest companions –
Africanus, Maximus and Pompius. The remainder of the martyrs – which included
Xenon, Alexander and Theodore, Fortunatian resolved to force into renouncing
Christ. But neither threats nor terrible tortures could sway the holy martyrs:
they burned at them with red-hot iron, they poured vinegar on the wounds, they
sprinkled on salt, they tore at them with iron claws. In spite of their
sufferings, the saints did not weaken in their confession of Christ, and the
Lord gave them strength.
Forunatian gave
orders to lead the martyrs into the pagan temple and still yet another time he
urged them to offer sacrifice to the idols. The valiant warriors of Christ
cried out to God: "O God All-Powerful, having once poured out fire on
Sodom for its iniquity, destroy now this impious temple of idolatry, on account
of Thine Truth". The idols fell down with a crash and a smash, and then
all the temple was in ruins. The enraged governor gave orders to execute them;
and the martyrs, glorifying God, put their necks beneathe the sword of the
executioner.
After the execution
of the 36 martyrs, Fortunatian summoned before him Terence, Maximus, Africanus
and Pompius, pointed out to them the executed and again urged them to offer
sacrifice to the idols. The martyrs refused. The governor put heavy chains on them
and gave orders to starve them to death in prison. by night an Angel of the
Lord took the chains off the martyrs and fed them. In the morning the guards
found the saints cheerful and strong. Then Fortunatian ordered sorcerers and
conjurers to carry into the prison snakes and all kinds of viprous creatures.
The guards through an opening in the prison ceiling glanced down into the
jail-cell and saw the martyrs unharmed, praying, and the snakes crawling at
their feet. When the snake-charmers in obeying the order opened the door of the
prison-cell, the snakes disregarded the charms and struck and began to bite
them. The furious Fortunatian gave orders to behead the holy martyrs.
Christians took up their holy bodies and buried them with reverence outside the
city.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.