Agathopus, a Deacon, and Theodulus, a Lector, of the Thessalonian Church, in the Year 304

In that same year two devout Christians of Thessalonica, Agathopus, a deacon, and Theodulus, a lector, of the Thessalonian church, were arrested for the testimony of Jesus Christ and brought before Faustin, the Governor of the city. He took up Theodulus, the younger, first, to torment him, and had him stripped and bound. While Theodulus was being tormented, the crier called out to him: "Sacrifice, and you will be released." Theodulus answered: "You may strip my body, but you will never turn my heart and mind from the faith in God."

As the two of them went to hear their sentence of death, their friends cried and wailed most bitterly, so that the sound of it seemed to rise to heaven; but Theodulus said to them, with a cheerful face:

"If you weep for our friendship's sake, I tell you that you ought rather to rejoice, because we are tried in so honorable a conflict; but if you envy us this happiness, and are sad because you do not share in it, the door of blessedness stands open for you, too, and the proclamation of faith calls: Come, all of you, to Christ; but it gives the crown of eternal life only to those who are drawn back neither by riches, nor by sensual pleasure, nor by the honor of this world."

Finally the judge gave sentence that their hands should be tied behind their backs, and heavy stones fastened to their necks, and that they should be drowned in that way. They endured this steadfastly, and are therefore counted among the number of the holy martyrs. A. M., folio 140, column 1, from the Acts by Metaphrastes. [n261-1]