Antoninus the Maccabee

Holy Martyr Antoninus the Maccabee was one of the seven Maccabean brothers, killed together with their mother, Solomonia, and their teacher, Eleazar, in the year 166 before Christ, for fidelity to the Law of God. He is commemorated on 14 August.

Eleazar, a priest and teacher of the Law in Judea, an old man, renowned for wisdom and piety, was forced to eat pork, forbidden by the Law of the Old Testament. He chose to die a glorious death rather than keep his life by breaking the Law. His seven disciples were also seized, the Maccabean brothers Abim, Antoninus, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebonas, Alim and Marcellus, with their mother, Solomonia, and brought before the lawless king, who forced them to eat of the forbidden foods. One of them answered for all: "We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws." The king ordered his tongue cut out, his skin stripped and his hands and feet cut off, and the body, still alive, thrown into an enormous heated pan; so, one after another, the other brothers were tormented, confessing faith in the resurrection to eternal life. To the last, the youngest, his mother said: "Do not fear this killer, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, that by God's mercy I may receive you again with your brothers." After her sons the mother also died, giving thanks to God.