Claudius of Corinth

Holy Martyr Claudius of Corinth was a disciple of Saint Codratus the Martyr and suffered with him, in the time of the emperor Decius (249-251). The Azbyka page mentions him among the disciples who suffered for Christ after Codratus.

Rufina, a devout woman, fled from Corinth to the mountains during a persecution and there gave birth to Codratus, dying soon afterwards. The infant was fed in a wonderful way by a cloud that nourished him with sweet dew. He grew up in the wilderness, later learned from some Christians the light of the true faith, studied letters and the art of healing, but loved above all the stillness of the desert and prayer. His friends and followers often came to hear him: among them Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens and many others.

Jason, the commander sent to Corinth by Decius, seized Codratus with his friends and threw them into prison. At the trial the saint boldly defended his faith and encouraged the others not to be afraid. Jason ordered them cast to wild beasts, but the beasts did not touch them; then they were dragged through the city tied to chariots and struck with stones by the crowd, and in the end sentenced to the sword. At the place of death they asked for a little time to pray, and then, one after another, bowed their heads beneath the sword.

The other disciples suffered too: another Dionysius was stabbed, Victorinus, Victor and Nicephorus were crushed alive in a stone mortar, Claudius had his hands and feet cut off, Diodorus threw himself into the fire, Serapion was beheaded, and Papias and Leonidas were drowned in the sea. Many holy women also went willingly to torments.

Saint Claudius is commemorated on 13 February and on 23 March, in the new style. Their passion is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.