Christodula of Antioch

Holy Confessor Christodula of Antioch was the mother of the holy three youths Urban, Prilidian and Apollonius and suffered with them and with Holy Hieromartyr Babylas, bishop of Antioch, in the time of Emperor Decius (249-251).

While in Antioch, the emperor arranged a great festival in honour of the pagan gods. At the same time Saint Babylas, the bishop of Antioch, pious and God-⁠fearing, was serving the Divine Liturgy in the church, praying for his flock and teaching it to bear manfully every trial for the faith in Christ. After the idolatrous service, Decius wished to see the celebration of the Holy Mysteries and decided to enter the church, defiling the Lord's sanctuary by his coming. The bishop, learning of it, would not let the impious man into the church of God, went out to meet him and stopped him on the threshold of the church. When the emperor tried to approach the church doors, Saint Babylas pushed him back with his hand, so that the emperor had to give up. He wanted then to take revenge on the saint, but, seeing the multitude of Christians gathered, he feared an uprising.

The next day the angry emperor ordered the church of the Christians to be set on fire and Bishop Babylas brought to him. Asked how he could have insulted the royal dignity, not let the emperor into the church and not give him the due honour, the bishop answered: He who rises against God and wishes to bring insult to His holiness is not only unworthy of honour but becomes an enemy of the Lord. The emperor demanded that the bishop bow to the idols and so redeem his crime, otherwise he would be put to death, but, seeing that the martyr remained unshaken in the faith, he ordered the commander Victorinus to load him with heavy chains and lead him in shame through the city. The holy martyr answered: O emperor, these chains are as honourable to me as your royal crown is to you, and sufferings for Christ are as pleasant to me as your power is to you, and death for the immortal King is as desirable to me as your life is to you.

At the trial there were with Bishop Babylas three young brothers, who had not left him even in the hardest moments. Seeing them, the emperor asked: Whose children are these? They are my spiritual children, answered the saint. I have given them new birth by preaching, nourished them by teaching, raised them by counsel, and here, in small bodies, stand before you great men and perfect Christians. Put them to the test and you will see. The emperor tried every means to entice the youths and their mother, Christodula, to renounce Christ, but in vain. Then in fury he ordered that each be given wounds according to the number of his years. The first was given twelve wounds, another ten, the third seven. Releasing the mother and children, the tormentor called the saint again, wishing to deceive him by saying that his sons had renounced Christ. But the lie was at once exposed and did him no good. Then, seized with fury, he ordered all the martyrs hung on a tree and burned with fire. Seeing the steadfastness and courage of the saints, the emperor at last condemned them to martyr's death by beheading (about the year 251).

They are commemorated on 17 September (new style).