Today the Church remembers The Holy Martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian and Caesarius.
Orate pro nobis.
Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian and Caesarius suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305 AD) when he began a fierce persecution against Christians. One of the first to suffer was the St. George. He was a soldier in the Roman army. Saint George was a soldier of Cappadocian Greek origin and member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian, when he was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He became one of the most venerated saints and in Christianity.
Saint George’s unshakable faith and bravery during his suffering led many pagans to Christ. The faithful witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra of Rome to become a Christian as well, so she joined George in martyrdom.
Fellow soldiers, Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian and Caesarius were struck with astonishment that Saint George suffered no harm from the wheel of torture, and they declared in the hearing of all that they also believed in Christ.
At the judge’s order, the holy martyrs were beheaded at Nicomedia in 303 AD.
Almighty God, who gave to your servants Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian, and Caesarius boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
