Pausilypus

Holy Martyr Pausilypus (Pausolypius) was a Christian of the second century, condemned to be beheaded under the emperor Hadrian, who miraculously escaped from his persecutors and died soon afterward, around 140, at Heraclea Sintica in Thrace. The Russian source calls him a hieromartyr. He is commemorated on 8 April when commemorated alone and on 15 April when commemorated with the Roman Martyrs; the Serbian source commemorates him on 21 April.

According to the Greek source, he was born in Rome, of a well-⁠to-⁠do and distinguished family. According to the Russian source, he was denounced by pagans in the time when the province of Eutropia was governed by the prefect Lucius, was seized and brought to the emperor's judgment, before whom he fearlessly declared himself a Christian. He was beaten with iron rods and handed over to the governor Pretius, who tried for a long time to persuade him to sacrifice to idols. Pausilypus remained unshaken, and the governor, failing, ordered that he be put in chains, beheaded, and led to his death.

On the way Saint Pausilypus prayed fervently that the Lord would deliver him from the hands of the executioners and send him a speedy death. The Lord heard him: the martyr, beaten and weakened, felt such strength that he broke the iron chains and fled from his guards. They ran after him, but Saint Pausilypus died as he ran. Then the Christians came and with honour, singing psalms and sacred hymns, solemnly buried his holy body. The Greek source says that he died around 138 to 140 at Heraclea Sintica, as a result of the tortures suffered in captivity, which rightly earned him the title of martyr; for that reason he is called the one who contested at Heraclea of Thrace. He is venerated in both the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches.