Viriladus of Nicopolis

Holy Martyr Viriladus of Nicopolis was a prison guard in Nicopolis in Armenia and received the crown of martyrdom together with the forty-⁠five martyrs of the city, in the time of Emperor Licinius (307-324).

Licinius, emperor in the east, ordered that all who would not return to paganism be tortured and put to death. When the persecution began at Nicopolis, more than forty Christians resolved to appear of their own will before the persecutors, to confess openly their faith in the Son of God and to accept the torments. Their leaders were Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony and Alexander, known for their virtuous life. The governor Lysias, astonished at their unity and courage, tried to persuade them to sacrifice to the gods, but they stood firm and refuted his arguments. He ordered them struck in the face with stones, then chained and thrown into prison.

In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the psalms of David. Leontius strengthened the brethren and prepared them for new torments, reminding them of the courage of those who had suffered before them. Seeing their sufferings, he asked God to grant them a quick end of their struggle. At midnight, as they sang psalms, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the prison was filled with light. The angel told them that their contest was nearing its end and that their names were written in heaven. Two prison guards, Meneas and Viriladus, who had seen it, believed in Christ. The next day the governor resolved to put them to death. After cruel torments they were burned in fire and their bones thrown into the river (about the year 318). Pious people found them and kept them. Later, when the Church had received freedom, a church was built on that place in honor of the forty-⁠five martyrs.

Saint Viriladus is commemorated on 23 July, in the new style, together with the others.