Dionysius of Caesarea in Palestine

Holy Martyr Dionysius of Caesarea in Palestine was one of the six youths who appeared of their own will before the governor and suffered, beheaded with the sword, in the time of Emperor Diocletian (284-305), together with Agapius, Publius, Timolaus, Romulus, two Alexanders and another Dionysius. They are commemorated on 28 March.

At one of the pagan festivals in Caesarea in Palestine, Christians who refused to sacrifice to the idols were publicly tormented and killed. Then the martyr Timothy was condemned to burning, and Agapius and Thecla were given to the beasts. In the crowd were the young Christians Publius, Timolaus, Alexander, another Alexander, Dionysius and Romulus, subdeacon of the church of Diospolis, who resolved to confess their faith openly and to suffer for Christ. As a sign of their voluntary struggle they bound their hands and appeared before the governor Urbanus. Seeing their youth, the governor tried to persuade them to give up their resolve, but in vain. Then he threw them into prison, where there were already two Christians: Agapius, who had endured torments for faith in Christ, and his servant, Dionysius. All these saints were given over to terrible torments and beheaded with the sword.