St. Christodoula The Mother Of Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius

Commemorated on September 4

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.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)