Varulus of Antioch

Holy Martyr Varulus of Antioch, a boy, is remembered together with the Holy Hieromartyr Romanus, a deacon of Caesarea. Romanus was a deacon of the church of Caesarea in Palestine and, during one persecution, moved to Antioch, where he strengthened Christians in faith by his example and fervent preaching.

When the governor of Antioch, Asclepiades, wished to destroy a Christian church, Romanus called the faithful to defend their holy place and assured them that if they kept it they would rejoice here on earth, in the Church militant, and if they died defending it, in the Church triumphant in heaven. Seeing the people's resolve, the governor did not dare carry out his intention. Some time later, when a pagan festival began and crowds from the whole region came to Antioch, Romanus began to denounce idol worship and call everyone to Christ. He was seized and tortured. During the tortures the martyr saw in the crowd the Christian boy Varulus and, pointing to him, told the governor that the young boy was wiser than he, who had reached old age, because he knew the true God, while the governor worshipped idols. Asclepiades ordered the boy brought to him. Varulus confessed firmly and fearlessly faith in Christ, the one God. The governor, enraged, ordered him cruelly beaten and then beheaded. Before his death the boy asked his mother, who was present at the execution, for a drink, but she begged him to endure all torments for the Lord Jesus Christ. She herself laid her son's head on the block and after the execution buried him (in the year 303).

Romanus was condemned to be burned, but a sudden downpour put out the fire. The saint began to glorify Christ and revile the pagan gods, and the governor ordered his tongue cut out. Even without a tongue Romanus went on glorifying the Lord loudly, and he was condemned to be hanged (in 303). Saint Varulus is commemorated on 1 December, in the new style.