Gali of Corinth

Holy Martyr Gali of Corinth is remembered together with the holy martyr Codratus and those with him: Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens, a second Dionysius, Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus, Serapion, Papias, Leonidas and the women martyrs Chariessa, Nunechia, Basilissa, Nike, Gali, Galina, Theodora and others.

In a time of persecution of Christians, in the third century, a pious woman, Rufina, fled from Corinth to the mountains, to escape pursuit. There she bore Codratus and died soon after the birth. By God's providence the infant stayed alive and was fed in a wonderful way: a cloud came down upon him and nourished him with sweet dew. The childhood and youth of Codratus passed in the desert. Later he met some Christians, who enlightened him with the light of the true faith. He learned letters, then the art of healing, in which he became very skilled, but more he loved the stillness of the desert. Many years later his friends and followers came to him to hear his guidance, among them Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul and Crescens.

By order of the persecutor Decius (249-251), the commander Jason arrived in Corinth. Codratus was seized with his friends and thrown into prison. At the interrogations Jason addressed himself mostly to Codratus, as the eldest. The saint bravely defended his faith. Then he was tortured, and Codratus, despite inhuman sufferings, had the strength to support the others. Obtaining denial from no one, Jason ordered them thrown to the beasts, but the beasts did not touch them. They were tied by the feet to chariots and dragged through the city, and the crowd threw stones at them. At last they were condemned to beheading. At the place of execution they asked a little time for prayer, then came one by one to the executioner, bowing their heads under the sword.

The other disciples of Codratus also suffered: a second Dionysius was stabbed, Victorinus, Victor and Nicephorus were crushed alive in a huge stone mortar, Claudius had his hands and feet cut off, Diodorus leaped himself into the pyre prepared for him, Serapion was beheaded, Papias and Leonidas were drowned in the sea. Following the men, many holy women also went willingly to torments for Christ. The saints are commemorated on 23 March.