Hesperus of Attalia

Holy Martyr Hesperus of Attalia suffered in the second century, in the persecution of Hadrian (117-138), together with his wife Zoe and their sons Cyriacus and Theodulus. The spouses had received Christianity in childhood and raised their children too in deep faith. All were slaves of a notable Roman, Catullus, who lived in the city of Attalia in Asia Minor.

Serving their earthly master, the saints never defiled themselves with food sacrificed to idols, which the pagans were obliged to eat. Once Catullus sent Hesperus on business to Tritonia. Then Cyriacus and Theodulus decided to flee, not wishing to be in constant contact with pagans, but Zoe did not bless them for this. The youths then asked their mother's blessing for an open confession of their faith in Christ and received it.

When the brothers told Catullus that they were Christians, he was surprised, but did not hand them over to torture, and sent them with their mother to Hesperus at Tritonia, hoping that the parents would persuade the children to renounce the faith of Christ. In Tritonia the saints lived for a time in quiet, preparing for the martyrdom that awaited them.

On the birthday of Catullus' son, all the slaves were called back to Attalia, and a feast in honour of the goddess Fortuna was held in the house. Food from the masters' table was sent to the slaves, among it meat and wine sacrificed to idols, but the saints did not touch it: Zoe poured the wine on the ground and threw the meat to the dogs.

Learning of this, Catullus ordered Zoe's sons Cyriacus and Theodulus tortured. The brothers, stripped, were hung on a tree and torn with iron instruments before the eyes of their parents, who during the torments urged them to endure to the end for the faith. Then the parents too, Hesperus and Zoe, were subjected to heavy tortures. At last all four martyrs were thrown into a heated furnace, where they gave their souls to the Lord with prayer. Their bodies remained untouched in the fire and angelic singing was heard, glorifying the struggle of the confessors of the Lord.

The Synaxarion commemorates Hesperus, Zoe, Cyriacus and Theodulus on 15 May (new style).