Hypatius of Tripoli

Holy Martyr Hypatius of Tripoli was a Roman soldier and tribune, converted by Saint Leontius, and he died as a martyr together with Leontius and his friend Theodulus. They are commemorated on 1 July (new style), their end falling around the years 70-79.

Leontius, a Greek by birth, was in the reign of Emperor Vespasian (70-79) a commander in the imperial army in the Phoenician city of Tripoli. A Christian, he was known for his courage and good sense and was deeply respected by the soldiers and citizens. The emperor appointed the Roman senator Adrian governor of Phoenicia, with power to persecute Christians and, if they would not sacrifice to the Roman gods, to give them over to torments and death. On the way, Adrian was told that Leontius had turned many away from the worship of the gods, and he sent the tribune Hypatius with a band of soldiers to Tripoli to find and arrest him.

On the road Hypatius fell gravely ill and, at the point of death, saw in a dream an angel who said to him: "If you wish to be well, cry out three times with your soldiers: God of Leontius, help me." Opening his eyes, Hypatius saw the angel and asked how he could call on the God of the man he was sent to arrest. The angel became invisible. Hypatius told the soldiers his dream, and among them his friend Theodulus, and all together three times called for the help of the God whom Leontius confessed. Hypatius was healed at once, to the joy of all, while Theodulus, sitting apart, pondered the miracle. His soul was filled with love for God, and he urged Hypatius to go into the city together without delay and look for Leontius.

At the entrance to the city a stranger met them and invited them into his house, where he entertained them generously. Learning that their host was Saint Leontius himself, they fell on their knees and asked him to enlighten them with faith in the true God. There Baptism was performed, and as Leontius pronounced over them the invocation in the name of the Most Holy Trinity, a bright cloud overshadowed the newly baptized and a rain of grace fell. The other soldiers came to Tripoli seeking their commander, and Adrian arrived there too. Learning what had happened, he ordered Leontius, the tribune Hypatius and Theodulus brought before him and, threatening them with torments and death, demanded that they renounce Christ and sacrifice to the Roman gods. The martyrs firmly confessed their faith in Christ.

Saint Hypatius was hung on a pillar and scraped with iron claws, and Theodulus was beaten mercilessly with rods. Seeing them unshaken, they cut off their heads with the sword. Saint Leontius, after torments, was shut in prison. In the morning he was brought before Adrian, who tried to entice him with honours and gifts and, failing, gave him over to torment. For a whole day the martyr hung head downward on a pillar with a heavy stone at his neck, but nothing could make him renounce Christ. The governor ordered him beaten with rods until he died. His body was thrown outside the city, but Christians buried it with honour near Tripoli. An account of the examination and torments of Leontius was kept on tin tablets by the scribe present at the trial, and the tablets were placed in the martyr's coffin.