Phalus of Laodicea

Holy Hieromartyr Phalus of Laodicea, a priest, was the brother of Saint Trophimus. The two brothers, priests, served in Laodicea of Caria. In the persecution of Christians under Diocletian (284 to 305) and his co-⁠emperor Maximian, the brothers were taken into custody and stood before the governor Asclepiodotus. He ordered them stoned, but the stones thrown at the saints flew back and struck those who threw them.

After a second inquiry they were condemned to crucifixion. Going to their death, they glorified God that they had been counted worthy, like the Saviour, of death on the cross. Wonderful witnesses of God, they continued their preaching even on the cross, while their courageous mother stood at the foot of the crosses. A Jewish woman, bowing to the saints, cried out, "Blessed are the mothers who bore such sons." When the martyrs gave up their spirit to God, the prison guard told how he had seen the souls of the holy brothers rising to heaven escorted by three angels. The people did not leave the bodies of the martyrs all night. In the morning the wife of Asclepiodotus came to the place of execution with spices and a costly shroud, and told the people that that night she had seen in a dream the holy martyrs and angels sent to punish her husband.

The mother of the martyrs and two Christians, Zosimus and Artemius, buried the brothers in their native city of Stratonicea. Asclepiodotus soon fell ill and died a dreadful death. Phalus is commemorated on 29 March (new style), together with Trophimus. The story of their martyrdom was also written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.