Heraclius of Adrianople

Holy Martyr Heraclius of Adrianople was a soldier and received a martyr's death in the third century at Adrianople, together with Bishop Alexander and the women Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glykeria. The Church commemorates them on 4 November (new style).

The third century is known as the time of the spread of Christianity among the pagans. In spite of the persecutions raised against Christians, Bishop Alexander fearlessly brought many pagans to the saving faith and baptized them. The governor of the region where the hierarch lived ordered the soldiers to force him by torture to renounce Christ. The saint patiently endured the dreadful torments. Struck by this, the soldier Heraclius believed in Christ, for whom Bishop Alexander was suffering. After him Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glykeria also declared themselves Christians. For their confession of Christ, all were put to death.