St. Asklepiodote of Adrianopolis
Commemorated on September 15
The Holy Martyr Asklepiodote suffered with Sts. Maximus and Theodotus at the beginning of the fourth century under the Emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Eminent citizens of the city of Marcianopolis, Maximus and Asklepiodote led a devout Christian life. By their example, they brought many to the faith in Christ and to holy Baptism.
Tiris, the Governor of Thrace, went around the city and persecuted those believing in Christ. He summoned Maximus and Asklepiodote before him and demanded they abandon the Christian Faith. When the martyrs refused, he ordered that they be beaten. A certain pious man named Theodotus began to reproach the governor for his inhumanity and cruelty. They seized him also, and hanging him on a tree, they tortured him with iron hooks. After this, they threw the three martyrs into prison. Tiris traveled throughout the land for an additional two weeks taking the holy martyrs along with him.
In the city of Adrianopolis, Tiris put them to still greater tortures, commanding that their bodies be scorched with white-hot plates. In the midst of their suffering, they heard a Voice from Heaven encouraging them to persevere. After several days of torture, Tiris ordered that the martyrs be eaten by wild beasts in the circus, but instead the she-bear released upon Sts. Maximus and Theodotus began to cuddle up to them.
St. Asklepiodote was tied to a bull, but she seemed to be rooted to the spot, and did not budge. Tiris resumed his journey and stopped in the village of Saltis before reaching the city of Philippopolis. Again, he urged the martyrs to renounce Christ. When they refused, he ordered them to be beheaded. God's wrath overtook Tiris when a bolt of lightning struck him as he sat upon the judgment seat.
By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)