Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus

Holy Martyrs Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus were three Roman soldiers, put to death for faith in Christ at Tripoli in Phoenicia, in the time of the emperor Vespasian (70 to 79). Leontius was Greek by birth. They are commemorated on 18 June.

Leontius was an officer in the imperial army at Tripoli. He was distinguished for bravery and good sense, and the people of Tripoli respected him deeply for his virtue. The emperor appointed the Roman senator Adrian governor of the Phoenician district, with full powers to search out the Christians and, if they refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, to give them over to torture and death. On the way to Phoenicia, Adrian learned that Leontius had turned many away from worshipping the pagan gods. The governor sent the tribune Hypatius with a detachment of soldiers to Tripoli to find and arrest the Christian Leontius. On the way the tribune Hypatius fell gravely ill and, near death, saw in a dream an angel, which told him that if he wished to be healed, he and his soldiers should say three times: God of Leontius, help me.

Opening his eyes, Hypatius saw the angel and said that he had been sent to arrest Leontius and did not understand how he could call on his God. At that moment the angel became invisible. Hypatius told the dream to the soldiers, among whom was his friend Theodulus, and all together asked for help from the God whom Leontius confessed. Hypatius was healed at once, to the great joy of the soldiers, only Theodulus sat aside, pondering the miracle. His soul was filled with love for God and he told Hypatius to go twice as quickly toward the city in search of Saint Leontius.

On their arrival in the city a stranger met them and invited them to his house, where he lavishly entertained them. Learning that their hospitable host was Saint Leontius, they fell on their knees and asked him to enlighten them with faith in the true God. They were baptized there, and when Leontius prayed over them, calling on the name of the Most Holy Trinity, a luminous cloud overshadowed the newly baptized and poured forth rain. The remaining soldiers, searching for their commander, arrived at Tripoli, where the governor Adrian had also come. Learning what had happened, he ordered Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus to be brought to him. Threatening them with torture and death, he demanded that they renounce Christ and sacrifice to the Roman gods.

All three firmly confessed their faith in Christ. Hypatius was put under a column and raked with iron claws, and Theodulus was beaten mercilessly with rods. Seeing the steadfastness of the saints, they beheaded them. After the tortures Leontius was sent to prison. In the morning he came before the governor. Adrian tried to entice him with honours and rewards, but, achieving nothing, gave him over to new tortures. Leontius was hung head downward from a pillar with a heavy stone about his neck, but nothing could make him renounce Christ. The governor ordered that he be beaten with rods until he died. His body was thrown outside the city, but the Christians reverently buried it near Tripoli. The accusation against Saint Leontius and his sufferings and death were recorded on tin tablets prepared by the court scribe (commentariensis) and placed at the grave.