Macedon of Illyria

Holy Martyr Macedon of Illyria was the son of Saint Philetus and Saint Lydia and the brother of Theoprepius. He suffered with them for Christ in the time of the emperor Hadrian (117-138), around those years.

Philetus was a high official at the court of this persecutor of Christians. Because he openly confessed faith in Christ the Saviour, he was brought to trial with his wife, Lydia, and his sons, Macedon and Theoprepius. Hadrian ordered that Philetus and his family be sent to Illyria, to the commander Amphilochius, to be put to torments. He ordered them hung on a tree and their bodies scraped with knives. Then the martyrs were shut in prison, together with the prison chief, Cronides, who had believed. At night an angel appeared to them and strengthened them for suffering. The next day they were plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil, but the oil cooled at once, and the saints remained unharmed. The commander Amphilochius was so amazed that he believed in Christ and himself entered the boiling oil, praying: "Lord Jesus Christ, help me," and he remained alive. The same torture was repeated when the emperor Hadrian came to Illyria. The holy martyrs were thrown again and again into boiling oil and by the power of God stayed alive.

The emperor, put to shame, returned to Rome, and the martyrs gave thanks and glorified God and in prayer gave their holy souls into His hand.

They are commemorated on 5 April, in the new style.