Agathon of Gothia

Saint Agathon of Gothia was a Gothic prince and suffered about the year 375, in the time of King Ungerich, the persecutor of Christians, together with other martyrs. He is commemorated on 8 April. His name is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The holy martyrs are the presbyters Bathusius and Verces, the monk Arpila, the laymen Abibus, Agn, Reas, Igathrax, Iskoes, Silas, Sigetzas, Sonirilas, Suimbalos, Thermos, Phillos, Constans, the young Agathon, and the martyrs Anna, Alla, Larissa, Moiko, Mamika, Uirko, Animais, Gaatha, queen of the Goths, and Duclida, daughter of the king. The king ordered the church set on fire during the service. In the flames of the fire three hundred and eight people perished, of whom the names of twenty-⁠one martyrs are known. The widow of the Gothic king, Alla, with her daughter Duclida, gathered the remains of the holy martyrs and took them to Syria. Then she returned to her country, where, after some time, she was stoned and died a martyr together with her son Agathon. The relics of the holy martyrs remained with Duclida, who, in the time of Valentinian II and Theodosius the Great, came to Cyzicus and gave a part of them for the consecration of a church. The death of the righteous Duclida was peaceful.