Cindeus of Side

Holy Hieromartyr Cindeus of Side was a priest in the village of Side in Pamphylia and suffered in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305). The Church commemorates him on 24 July (new style).

Seized as a Christian, he was condemned to burning. The soldiers leading him to his death met on the road a woodcutter with a large bundle and took his wood by force to kindle the pyre. But Saint Cindeus took out thirty copper coins and paid the woodcutter, then took the load on his shoulders and carried it himself to the place of execution. With God's help, he remained an unshaken soldier of Christ even on the pyre and, even wrapped in flames, found strength to call upon the people standing around to know the true faith and the grace of the Lord. At that time a strong storm broke, a downpour put out the fire, and when the tempest subsided the holy martyr peacefully gave his soul to Christ.

A pagan priest who had been present and heard the saint's preaching believed in Christ together with his wife, and they buried the body of the Holy Martyr Cindeus.