Saint Christodoula
Sep 4th, 2008 by michelle
St. Christodoula, The Mother Of Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius
Saint Christodoula was the mother of the three youths Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius who suffered martyrdom with Hieromartyr Babylas under Emperor Decius (249-251).
The emperor tried in all sorts of ways to entice the youths and their mother to renounce Christ, but in vain. In a rage, he ordered each of them to be whipped with a number of blows corresponding to their age. The first received twelve blows, the second, ten, and the third, seven. He then commanded all the martyrs be tied to a tree and burned with fire. Seeing the stoic bravery of the saints, the emperor finally condemned them to death by beheading with the sword.
from the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)
Didn’t that hagiography just rip your mother’s heart out this morning? Lord have Mercy. Holy Saints, pray to God for us.