The Holy Martyrs Hesperos, his Wife Zoa, and their Children Kyriakos and Theodoulos
Commemorated on May 2
The Holy Martyrs
Hesperos, his Wife Zoa, and their Children Kyriakos and Theodoulos suffered
for their faith in Christ in the II Century, during the persecution under
Hadrian (117-138). The holy spouses had accepted Christianity in their childhood
and likewise they raised their children in deep faith. They were all slaves of
the illustrious Roman named Catullus, living in the Asia Minor city of Attalia.
While serving their earthly master, the saints never defiled themselves with
idol-worship food, the use of which by pagans was obligatory. One time Catullus
sent Hesperos on business to Tritoneia. During this while Saints Kyriakos and
Theodoulos decided to run away, not wishing to be in constant contact with
pagans. But Saint Zoa did not give her sons blessing for such conduct. Then the
youths besought their mother's blessing for an open confession of their faith
in Christ, and they received it. When the brothers explained to Catullus that
they were Christian, he was surprised, but he did not deliver them over to
torture, he instead sent them together with their mother to Saint Hesperos at
Tritoneia, hoping that the parents would persuade their children into
repudiating the Christian faith. Being at Tritoneia, the saints for a certain
while dwelt in tranquility, preparing for the deed of martyrdom facing them.
For the birthday of a son of Catullus all the slaves returned to Attalia, and
at the house was prepared a feast in honour of the pagan goddess Fortuna. Food
from the table of the master was sent round to the slaves, and amongst this was
idol-worship meat and wine. But the saints would not partake of the food. Zoa
poured the wine upon the ground and threw the meat to the dogs. Having learned
of this, Catullus gave orders to torture the sons of Zoa – Saints Kyriakos and
Theodoulos.
The brothers, being
stripped, were suspended from a tree and lacerated with iron implements before
the eyes of their parents, who during the time of torture counselled their
children to persevere to the end for the faith.
Then also the parents
themselves, Saints Hesperos and Zoa, were subjected to terrible tortures.
Finally, they threw all four martyrs into a red-hot furnace, where prayerfully
they gave up their souls to the Lord. Their bodies were preserved in the fire
unharmed, and there was heard Angelic singing, glorifying the act of the
confessors of the Lord.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.