Alphaeus of Caesarea in Palestine

Holy Martyr Alphaeus of Caesarea in Palestine, a reader, suffered together with Saint Zacchaeus, the deacon of Gadara, in the time of Emperor Diocletian (284 to 305). They are commemorated on 1 December.

During the persecution, among many others, the deacon of the Church of Gadara, Saint Zacchaeus, was seized; he openly confessed his faith and did not deny Christ under torture. The persecution of Diocletian was so cruel that many could not endure it and, frightened of the torments, agreed to offer sacrifice to the gods. Saint Alphaeus, a reader of the Church of Caesarea, zealous for the glory of God, went into the crowd of those who had fallen away from Christ and were going to the pagan altars, and urged them not to defile themselves with impious sacrifices. Alphaeus was seized and, after beatings and torture, was put in the same stocks as Zacchaeus. At night they were thrown into prison, where they prayed without ceasing, strengthening each other to bear every suffering for the Name of Christ and so to gain eternal life. The next morning the Holy Martyrs Zacchaeus and Alphaeus were beheaded, in the year 303.