Verk of Gothia

Holy Martyr Verk of Gothia was a priest of the Goths and suffered about the year 375, together with the priest Vafusius, the monk Arpila and many other Christians, in the time of King Ungerich.

The king, who persecuted the Christians, ordered the church set on fire during the service. In the flames 308 people perished, of whom the names of twenty-⁠one martyrs are known. In the list of martyrs, beside the priests Vafusius and Verk, stand the monk Arpila, the laymen Aviv, Agn, Reas, Igafrax, Iskoy, Sila, Sigits, Sonirila, Suimvl, Ferm, Fill and Constans, the prince Agathon, and the martyrs Anna, Alla, Larissa, Moiko, Mamika, Uirko, Animais, Gaafa, queen of the Goths, and Duclida, princess of the Goths.

The widow of the Gothic king, Alla, with her daughter Duclida, gathered the remains of the holy martyrs and carried them to Syria. She then returned to her homeland, where after a time she was stoned and died as a martyr together with her son Agathon. The relics of the holy martyrs stayed with Duclida, who came to Cyzicus and gave a part of them for the consecration of a church. Duclida died in peace.

Saint Verk is commemorated on 8 April, in the new style.