# Agathopus, A Deacon, And Theodulus, A Lector, Of The Thessalonian Church, Drowned Near Thessalonica, For The Testimony Of Jesus Christ, A. D. 304.

304 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: AGATHOPUS, A DEACON, AND THEODULUS, A LECTOR, OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH, DROWNED NEAR THESSALONICA, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 304.

Source heading; not independently verified

In that same year, two pious Christians of Thessalonica,
Agathopus, a deacon, and Theodulus, a
lector, of the Thessalonian church, were apprehended
for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and
brought before Faustin, the Governor of the city.
He first took up Theodulus, the younger, to torment
him, causing him to be stripped and bound.
While Theodulus was being tormented, the crier
called to him: “Sacrifice, and thou shalt be released.”
Theodulus answered: “You may strip
my body, but you shall never turn my heart and
mind from the faith in God.”

As they both went to hear their sentence of death,
their friends cried and wailed most bitterly, so that
the sound of it seemed to ascend to heaven; but
Theodulus said to them, with a happy countenance:
“If you weep for our old friendship’s sake, I tell
you, that you ought rather to rejoice, because we
are tried in so honorable a conflict; but if you envy
us this happiness, and are sad because you are not
partakers of it, the door of blessedness stands open
for you, too, and the proclamation of faith calls:
Come ye all to Christ; but it gives the crown of
eternal life only to those who are drawn back neither
by riches, nor by voluptuousness, nor by the
honor of this world.”

Finally, the Judge gave sentence, that their hands
should be tied behind their backs, and heavy stones
be fastened to their necks, and that they should
thus be drowned; which they steadfastly endured,
and are therefore reckoned among the number of
the holy martyrs. A. M., fol. 140, col. 1, ex Act.
per Metaph.





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