Terence and Neonilla

The Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla of Syria suffered together with their seven children in the time of the persecution of the emperor Decius, between the years 249 and 251. They are honoured by the Orthodox Church and by the Old Believers, and their commemoration is on 28 October.

Neonilla lived in Syria in the third century, was a Christian and married the devout Terence. In the family seven children were born: Sarbilus, Photus, Theodulus, Hierax, Nitus, Bilus and Eunice, whom Terence and Neonilla raised in Christian piety. About the years 249 to 251 they were seized by Roman soldiers. At the trial the devout Terence and Neonilla, together with the children, rebuked the pagans and clearly proclaimed their faith in Jesus Christ and in His Resurrection, for which they were condemned to death. Three times it was attempted to put the family to death, in various ways. The first time they were hung and scraped, their wounds sprinkled with vinegar and burned with fire. During the torments the holy martyrs Terence and Neonilla and their children prayed humbly and supported one another.

The life of the saints says that after a short time the soldiers saw that all the members of the Christian family were free of their chains and the wounds of the torments had vanished. The Roman soldiers were stunned and devised another way to put them to death. All were thrown into a pit with wild beasts, but the beasts did not touch the family of Neonilla. The third time the family was thrown into a cauldron of boiling pitch, but this too did no harm to the pious family. Then the Roman soldiers beheaded all the members of the family: first the father, Terence, then Neonilla, then all seven children.