Philetus

Holy Martyrs Philetus, Lydia, Macedo, Theoprepius, Amphilochius and Cronidas were Christians put to death in Illyria, in the time of the emperor Hadrian, around 121 (the Serbian source gives 125). They are venerated by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and commemorated on 23 March (5 April according to the Serbian source). According to the Roman Martyrology and the Orthodox Synaxarion they were martyred in Illyria. Their Acts are considered unreliable.

According to the Roman Martyrology, Philetus was a senator and lived in the province of Illyria; Lydia was his wife, Macedo and Theoprepius their sons, Amphilochius a commander (dux), and Cronidas a notary (commentariensis). Lydia must not be confused with Lydia of Philippi, baptized by the Apostle Paul. Philetus was arrested with his family and brought to interrogation before the emperor, who sent them to the trial of the commander Amphilochius in Illyria. The martyrs were beaten with iron rods and then thrown into boiling oil, but remained unharmed. The Serbian source says that they were sent to Slavonia to the commander Amphilochius, who put them to torture, but they bore it with firmness; seeing this, the commander of the guard, Cronidas, believed in Christ too and was thrown into prison together with the martyrs. That night, while the holy martyrs prayed and sang holy songs, angels appeared to them, comforted them and strengthened them.

The next day the torture continued. They were thrown into a cauldron in which oil mixed with sulphur boiled, but the cauldron cooled at that moment. Overcome by such a miracle, the commander Amphilochius believed in Christ and himself entered the cauldron. When the emperor Hadrian learned of it, he came in person to Slavonia and ordered them all put to death. After enduring the torments, Philetus and his family offered prayers of thanksgiving and fell asleep.