Neon of Langonia

Holy Martyr Neon of Langonia (Langres) is counted among the martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus and Melasippus, their grandmother Leonilla, and Turbo and Jovilla, who suffered in Gaul (according to another tradition, in Cappadocia) in the second century, in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius (161-180). Leonilla received Baptism in advanced age from a disciple of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and brought her three grandsons to Christ, who broke the idols and rebuked the pagans. The martyrs were cast into the fire, but the fire did them no harm; after the torments and death of her grandsons, Leonilla was beheaded. With her suffered Jovilla, hung by the hair, wounded in the body and beheaded, after she had left her husband and small son.

Neon saw the struggle of the holy brothers and, writing down their sufferings, gave the manuscript to Turbo, and himself confessed Christ openly, was cruelly beaten and died of the blows. Turbo, following the example of the sufferers, also ended his life as a martyr. These martyrs are especially venerated in Spain, where many churches are dedicated to them. Their relics were sent to Langres in France by the Greek emperor Zeno. Neon is commemorated on 29 January, in the new style.