Priscus of Caesarea in Palestine

Holy Martyr Priscus of Caesarea in Palestine is commemorated together with the Holy Martyr Eusebius. Priscus confessed the name of Christ in Phrygia and brought many pagans to the faith.

Eusebius lived in Phoenicia and was at first a secret follower of Christ. When the pagans began the persecution of the Christians and many believers were in hiding, Eusebius, thinking of the Lord's words about the one who confesses Him before men, went with divine zeal to the governor of the city and rebuked him for persecuting the flock of Christ. Saying that he was the servant of Christ, he condemned the blindness of the pagans who worship demons and not God. The governor ordered him stripped, hung up and his body scraped with sharp iron until the bones showed, then vinegar and salt poured on the wounds and rubbed in. The confessor bore everything with courage, rejoicing that he suffered for the faith. Since he refused to sacrifice, his head was cut off.

Priscus, having come to Phrygia, brought many pagans to Christ. The unbelievers seized him, hung him up and scraped him deeply on the ribs with iron claws, so that his body was furrowed like a ploughed field. Some of those present, seeing the cruel torment and the flowing blood, were seized with rage, drew their swords and cut off his head.

St Priscus is commemorated on 4 October, in the new style.