Claudius the Tribune

Holy Martyr Claudius the Tribune was a Roman tribune who suffered together with the saints Chrysanthus and Daria, in the time of the emperor Numerian (283-284). The Azbyka page mentions him in the account of the martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria and those with them: Claudius, Hilaria, Jason and Maurus, the presbyter Diodorus and the deacon Marian.

Chrysanthus came from a pagan family and had a good education. Among his books were some in which pagans discussed Christianity, but the young man wished to read the writings of the Christians themselves, and found the books of the New Testament. Enlightened by Holy Scripture, he sought out the presbyter Carpophorus, who was hiding from persecution, and received Baptism from him. From then on he preached the Gospel openly. His father tried to turn him from it and married him to the beautiful Daria, a priestess of Athena Pallas, but Chrysanthus won her to Christ, and the two agreed together to live in virginity. The townspeople complained to the prefect Celerinus that Chrysanthus and Daria preached celibacy, and Chrysanthus was given over to torture under the tribune Claudius.

The torments could not shake the young martyr's courage, for the power of God plainly helped him. Amazed, the tribune Claudius believed in Christ and received Baptism, with his wife Hilaria, his sons Jason and Maurus and all his household and soldiers. When the news reached the emperor Numerian, he ordered them all put to death. The tribune Claudius was drowned in the sea, and his sons and soldiers were beheaded. The Christians buried their bodies in a cave nearby, where Saint Hilaria went constantly to pray. Once she was followed and brought to torture; she asked for a few minutes of prayer and, ending her prayer, reposed. A maidservant buried her in the cave beside her sons.

Saint Daria was put in a brothel, but a lion sent by God guarded her, throwing to the ground, without killing them, all who tried to defile her, while she preached Christ to them. Saint Chrysanthus was thrown into a foul pit into which all the filth of the city drained, but heavenly Light shone on him and the pit filled with fragrance. Then the emperor Numerian ordered Chrysanthus and Daria given to the executioners, and after tortures they were buried alive.

Christians began to gather in a cave near the place of execution, keeping the day of the saints' martyrdom, serving and receiving the Holy Mysteries. Learning of it, the pagan authorities ordered the entrance to the cave where they were praying to be filled in. So many Christians perished in torment, of whom two are known by name: the presbyter Diodorus and the deacon Marian.

Saint Claudius the Tribune is commemorated on 1 April, in the new style. Their life is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.