Doulas of Cilicia

Holy Martyr Doulas of Cilicia was a devout Christian from the city of Praetorias and suffered in the persecution of the Emperor Maximinus (305-313). Seized in the midst of the persecution, he was brought to trial before the governor of the province of Cilicia, Maximus.

Before the trial he prayed earnestly that the Lord grant him the power of speech to rebuke idolatry. At the interrogations he bravely confessed Christ and boldly exposed the false religion of the pagans and their gods, with their shameful human passions and vices. The governor tried to refute faith in Christ but could not stand against the gracious word of the saint. Enraged, he tortured him without mercy and sent him to prison after the interrogations.

At each new trial the martyr appeared as strong in spirit and body, ready for new torments. At the last interrogation his lower jaw was torn off, his knees were broken, and he was tied to the governor's chariot and dragged behind it. On this path of suffering the martyr made the sign of the Cross and departed to the Lord.

His body was untied from the chariot and thrown into the river. The current carried the remains to his native city and cast them ashore. The shepherds' dogs found the holy body: one of them sat guarding it from the birds, and another brought a shepherd's garment in its teeth and covered the body. The shepherds called Christians, who performed the burial.

The Synaxarion commemorates him on 28 June (new style).