Saint Euplus le Diacre
Martyr
en Sicile (✝ 304)
A ce moment, les
Livres Saints étaient interdits et devaient être livrés aux instances
officielles. Le diacre Euplus, vint devant le tribunal pour montrer qu'il
entendait conserver des livres interdits par les décrets impériaux. Arrêté, il
fut soumis à la torture, mais en vain. Il fut conduit au supplice avec
l'évangile qu'il avait lors de son arrestation. On le lui suspendit au cou. Il
fut décapité.
À Catane en Sicile, l’an 304, saint Euplus, martyr. Dans la persécution de Dioclétien, selon les Actes du martyre, Euplus se présenta spontanément au tribunal, tenant en main le livre des Évangiles. Mis en prison par le gouverneur Calvinianus, et interrogé à plusieurs reprises, il répondit qu’il se faisait gloire de savoir l’Évangile par cœur. Il fut alors frappé de verges jusqu’à la mort.
Martyrologe
romain
LES ACTES DE SAINT EUPLIUS, DIACRE
(En 303)
fêté le
11 août
Sous le
neuvième consulat de Dioclétien et le huitième de Maximien, la veille des ides
d'août, dans la ville de Catane, le diacre Euplius, devant le voile qui fermait
le secrétariat du consulaire, criait à haute voix : «Je suis chrétien, je veux
mourir pour le nom du Christ.» Le consulaire Calvisianus, l'ayant entendu, dit
: «Qu'on fasse entrer cet homme qui a crié.» Euplius fut introduit dans le
secrétariat du consulaire; il portait dans ses mains le livre des Évangiles. Un
des amis de Calvisianus, nommé Maxime, dit en le voyant : «Le livre que cet
homme tient à la main est un outrage aux décrets de nos empereurs.» Galvisianus
dit à Euplius : «Où l'as tu pris ? Est-il sorti de chez toi ?» Euplius répondit
: «Je n'ai point de chez moi, Jésus-Christ mon maître en est témoin.» Le
consulaire Calvisianus dit : «Est-ce toi qui as apporté ce livre ici ?» Euplius
dit : «Oui, c'est moi : tu le vois bien je l'avais en main quand on m'a
arrêté.» Calvisiallus dit : «Lis-moi quelques passages de ce livre !» Euplius
lÕouvrit et lut : «Bienheureux ceux qui souffrent persécution pour la justice,
parce que le royaume des cieux est à eux.» Puis dans un autre endroit : «Que
celui qui veut venir après moi prenne sa croix et me suive.» À ces passages il
en ajoutait d'autres, lorsque le consulaire Calvisianus lui dit : «Qu'est-ce
que cela ?» Euplius répondit : «C'est la loi de mon Maître, telle qu'elle m'a
été donnée.» Le consulaire Calvisianus dit : «Donnée par qui ?» Euplius
répondit : «Par Jésus Christ, le Fils du Dieu vivant.» Le consulaire
Calvisianus dit, en l'interrompant : «Maintenant que nous avons sa confession,
quÕon lÕinterroge dans la torture , et quÕon le remette aux mains des
bourreaux.» À peine leur eut-il été livré, que la seconde interrogation,
l'interrogation par la torture, commença.
Sous le neuvième consulat de Dioclétien et le huitième de Maximien, la veille
des ides d'août, le consulaire Calvisianus dit à Euplius pendant qu'on
l'appliquait à la question: «Tu viens tout à l'heure de confesser ta foi devant
nous; qu'en penses-tu maintenant ?» Euplius, se signant le front de la main
qu'on lui avait laissée libre, dit : «Ce que j'ai confessé, je le confesse
encore — je suis chrétien, et je lis les Écritures divines.» Calvisianus dit :
«Pourquoi gardais-tu ces livres, et ne les remettais-tu pas aux juges ? Les
empereurs l'avaient ordonné.» Euplius répondit : «Parce que je suis chrétien,
et- qu'il ne mÕétait pas permis dÕêtre traditeur. Plutôt mourir que d'être
traditeur. La vie éternelle est dans la mort; au contraire, le traditeur perd
la vie éternelle. C'est pour ne pas la perdre que je donne ma vie.» Calvisianus
l'interrompit et dit : «Euplius, contre l'édit de nos princes, n'a pas livré
les Écritures, mais il les a lues au peuple; que le bourreau continue la
torture.» Pendant le supplice, Euplius disait : «Je vous rends grâces, ô Christ
! défendez-moi; c'est pour vous que je souffre ces tourments.» Le consulaire
lui dit : «Renonce Euplius, à tant de folie. Adore les dieux, et je te rendrai
la liberté.» Euplius répondit : «J'adore le Christ, j'ai les démons en horreur;
achève ce que tu veux faire; je suis chrétien; il y a longtemps que
j'ambitionne ce bonheur; encore une fois achève ce que tu veux faire, ajoute de
nouvelles tortures : je suis chrétien.»
La torture, en effet, continua longtemps; à la fin les bourreaux reçurent
l'ordre de suspendre quelques instants. Alors Calvisianus dit: «Malheureux, adore
nos divinités; rends tes hommages à Mars, à Apollon et à Esculape.» Euplius dit
: «J'adore le Père, le Fils, et le saint Esprit. J'adore la sainte Trinité; il
n'y a pas d'autre Dieu qu'elle. Périssent des dieux qui n'ont fait ni le ciel,
ni la terre, ni rien de qu'ils renferment ! Je suis chrétien. Le préfet
Calvisianus dit : «Si tu veux être délivré, sacrifie.» Euplius répondit : «Je
me sacrifie maintenant au Christ notre Seigneur, et je ne sais ce que je
pourrais faire de plus. Tes efforts sont in utiles. Je suis chrétien.
Calvisiarius ordonna qu'on recommençât la torture plus cruelle que la première
fois. Euplius, du milieu des supplices, disait encore : «Je vous rends grâces,
ô Christ. Christ, secourez-moi; c'est pour vous, Christ, que je souffre ces
tourments.» Il répétait souvent cette prière, et lorsque ses forces
s'épuisaient, ses lèvres défaillantes la redisaient encore ou plusieurs autres
pareilles.
Alors Calvisianus, rentrant derrière le voile, dicta la sentence et revint
aussitôt; il tenait dans ses mains la tablette et lut : «Le chrétien Euplius a
méprisé les édits des princes, il a blasphémé nos dieux et refuse de se
repentir; j'ordonne qu'il ait la tête tranchée par le glaive. Emmenez-le.» On
suspendit au cou d'Euplius, Évangile qu'il portait quand on l'avait arrêté;
devant lui un héraut criait : «Euplius chrétien, ennemi des dieux et des
empereurs.» Mais Euplius, dont les vÏux étaient comblés, répétait sans cesse :
«Grâces au Christ Dieu.» Arrivé au lieu du supplice, il éleva ses mains étendues
vers le ciel et dit : «Je vous rends grâces, Seigneur Jésus Christ, de ce que
votre puissance m'a soutenu; vous n'avez pas laissé périr mon âme avec les
impies, et vous m'avez donné la grâce de confesser votre nom. Confirmez à cette
heure ce que vous même avez opéré en moi, et que l'audace de votre ennemi soit
confondue.» Puis, abaissant ses regards sur le peuple, il continua : «Frères
bien-aimés, écoutez mes dernières paroles; priez Dieu et craignez-le de tout
votre cÏur; car au moment de la mort il se souvient de ceux qui le craignent;
et quand ils seront sortis de ce monde, les anges viendront au-devant d'eux et
les conduiront dans la cité du Seigneur, à la sainte Jérusalem.»
En achevant ces paroles, le bienheureux Euplius se mit à genoux et présenta sa
tête au bourreau, qui l'abattit d'un seul coup. Aussitôt il alla recevoir la
couronne éternelle, récompense de sa foi; les nombreuses légions des anges et
des saints martyrs l'introduisirent en triomphe devant le trône de notre Dieu
et Seigneur Jésus Christ. Quand à son corps, les chrétiens l'enlevèrent,
l'embaumèrent avec respect, et le déposèrent dans un lieu vénéré, où notre
Seigneur Jésus Christ se plaît encore chaque jour à multiplier les miracles, et
à guérir les nombreux malades qui viennent y prier.
St. Euplius
In Sicily, in the year 304, under the
ninth consulate of Dioclesian, and the eighth of Maximian, on the 12th of
August, in the city of Catana, St. Euplius, a deacon, was brought to the
governor’s audience-chamber, and attending on the outside of the curtain, cried
out: “I am a Christian, and shall rejoice to die for the name of Jesus Christ.”
The governor, Calvisianus, who was of consular dignity, heard him, and ordered
that he who had made that outcry should be brought in, and presented before
him. Euplius went in with the book of the gospels in his hand.
One of Calvisianus’s friends, named Maximus, said:
“You ought not to keep such writings, contrary to the edicts of the emperors.”
Calvisianus said to Euplius: “Where had you those writings? did you bring them
from your own house?” Euplius replied: “That he had no house, but that he was
seized with the book about him.” The judge bid him read something in it. The
martyr opened it, and read the following verses: Blessed are they who suffer
persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 1 And in
another place: He that will come after me, let him take up his cross, and
follow me. The judge asked him what that meant. The martyr answered: “It is the
law of my Lord, which hath been delivered to me.” Calvisianus said: “By whom?”
Euplius answered: “By Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.” Calvisianus
then pronounced this interlocutory order: “Since his confession is evident, let
him be delivered up to the executioners, and examined on the rack.” This was
immediately done, and the martyr was interrogated accordingly. Whilst they were
tormenting him the same day, Calvisianus asked him whether he persisted in his
former sentiments?
Euplius, making the sign of the cross on his
forehead with the hand that he had at liberty, said: “What I formerly said I
now declare again, that I am a Christian, and read the holy scriptures.” He
added, that he durst not deliver up the sacred writings, by which he should
have offended God, and that death was more eligible, by which he should gain
eternal life. Calvisianus ordered him to be hoisted on the rack, and more
cruelly tormented. The martyr said, whilst he was tormented: “I thank thee, O
Lord Jesus Christ, that I suffer for thy sake: save me, I beseech thee.” Calvisianus
said: “Lay aside thy folly; adore our gods, and thou shalt be set at liberty.”
Euplius answered: “I adore Jesus Christ; I detest the devils. Do what you
please; add new torments; for I am a Christian. I have long desired to be in
the condition in which I now am.” After the executioners had tormented him a
long time, Calvisianus bade them desist, and said: “Wretch, adore the gods;
worship Mars, Apollo, and Æsculapius.” Euplius replied: “I adore the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost. I worship the Holy Trinity, besides whom there is no God.”
Calvisianus said: “Sacrifice, if you would be delivered.” Euplius answered: “I
sacrifice myself now to Jesus Christ, my God. All your efforts to move me are
to no purpose. I am a Christian.” Then Calvisianus gave orders for increasing
his torments.
Whilst the executioners were exerting their utmost
in tormenting him, Euplius prayed thus: “I thank thee, my God; Jesus Christ,
succour me. It is for thy name’s sake that I endure these torments.” This he
repeated several times. When his strength failed him, his lips were seen still
to move, the martyr continuing the same or the like prayer with his lips when
he could no longer do it with his voice. At length Calvisianus went behind the
curtain, and dictated his sentence, which a secretary wrote. Afterwards he came
out with a tablet in his hand, and read the following sentence: “I command that
Euplius, a Christian, be put to death by the sword, for contemning the prince’s
edicts, blaspheming the gods, and not repenting. Take him away.”
The executioners hung the book of the gospels,
which the martyr had with him when he was seized, about his neck, and the
public crier proclaimed before him: “This is Euplius the Christian, an enemy to
the gods and the emperors.” Euplius continued very cheerful, and repeated as he
went: “I give thanks to Jesus Christ, my God. Confirm, O Lord, what thou hast
wrought in me.” When he was come to the place of execution, he prayed a long
time on his knees, and once more returning thanks, presented his neck to the
executioner, who cut off his head. The Christians carried off his body,
embalmed and buried it. He is named in all the martyrologies of the western
church.
St. Euplius, Martyr
IN Sicily, in the year 304, under the ninth consulate of Dioclesian, and
the eighth of Maximian, on the 12th of August, in the city of Catana, Euplius,
a deacon, was brought to the governor’s audience-chamber, and attending on the
outside of the curtain, cried out: “I am a Christian, and shall rejoice to die
for the name of Jesus Christ.” The governor, Calvisianus, who was of consular
dignity, heard him, and ordered that he who had made that outcry should be
brought in, and presented before him. Euplius went in with the book of the
gospels in his hand. One of Calvisianus’s friends, named Maximus, said: “You
ought not to keep such writings, contrary to the edicts of the emperors.”
Calvisianus said to Euplius: “Where had you those writings? did you bring them from
your own house?” Euplius replied: “That he had no house, but that he was seized
with the book about him.” The judge bid him read something in it. The martyr
opened it, and read the following verses: Blessed
are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 1 And in another place: He that will come after me, let him
take up his cross, and follow me. 2 The judge asked him what that meant.
The martyr answered: “It is the law of my Lord, which hath been delivered to
me.” Calvisianus said: “By whom?” Euplius answered: “By Jesus Christ, the Son
of the living God.” Calvisianus then pronounced this interlocutory order:
“Since his confession is evident, let him be delivered up to the executioners,
and examined on the rack.” This was immediately done, and the martyr was
interrogated accordingly. Whilst they were tormenting him the same day,
Calvisianus asked him whether he persisted in his former sentiments? Euplius,
making the sign of the cross on his forehead with the hand that he had at
liberty, said: “What I formerly said I now declare again, that I am a
Christian, and read the holy scriptures.” He added, that he durst not deliver
up the sacred writings, by which he should have offended God, and that death
was more eligible, by which he should gain eternal life. Calvisianus ordered
him to be hoisted on the rack, and more cruelly tormented. The martyr said,
whilst he was tormented: “I thank thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that I suffer for
thy sake: save me, I beseech thee.” Calvisianus said: “Lay aside thy folly;
adore our gods, and thou shalt be set at liberty.” Euplius answered: “I adore
Jesus Christ; I detest the devils. Do what you please; add new torments; for I
am a Christian. I have long desired to be in the condition in which I now am.”
After the executioners had tormented him a long time, Calvisianus bade them
desist, and said: “Wretch, adore the gods; worship Mars, Apollo, and
Æsculapius.” Euplius replied: “I adore the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I
worship the Holy Trinity, besides whom there is no God.” Calvisianus said:
“Sacrifice, if you would be delivered.” Euplius answered: “I sacrifice myself
now to Jesus Christ, my God. All your efforts to move me are to no purpose. I
am a Christian.” Then Calvisianus gave orders for increasing his torments.
Whilst
the executioners were exerting their utmost in tormenting him, Euplius prayed
thus: “I thank thee, my God; Jesus Christ, succour me. It is for thy name’s
sake that I endure these torments.” This he repeated several times. When his
strength failed him, his lips were seen still to move, the martyr continuing
the same or the like prayer with his lips when he could no longer do it with
his voice. At length Calvisianus went behind the curtain, and dictated his
sentence, which a secretary wrote. Afterwards he came out with a tablet in his
hand, and read the following sentence: “I command that Euplius, a Christian, be
put to death by the sword, for contemning the prince’s edicts, blaspheming the
gods, and not repenting. Take him away.” The executioners hung the book of the
gospels, which the martyr had with him when he was seized, about his neck, and
the public crier proclaimed before him: “This is Euplius the Christian, an
enemy to the gods and the emperors.” Euplius continued very cheerful, and
repeated as he went: “I give thanks to Jesus Christ, my God. Confirm, O Lord,
what thou hast wrought in me.” When he was come to the place of execution, he
prayed a long time on his knees, and once more returning thanks, presented his
neck to the executioner, who cut off his head. The Christians carried off his
body, embalmed and buried it. He is named in all the martyrologies of the
western church. See his genuine acts in Baronius, Ruinart, Tillemont, t. 5, p.
695, Orsi. Those
published by Metaphrastes are spurious.
Rev. Alban
Butler (1711–73). Volume VIII: August. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
|
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/8/122.html
Saint Euplus of Catania
Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania
The Martyr Archdeacon Euplus
suffered in the year 304 under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian
(305-311). He served in the Sicilian city of Catania. Always carrying the
Gospel with him, St Euplus preached constantly to the pagans about Christ.
Saint Euplius, Deacon
St Euplius obtained the crown of martyrdom in
Sicily during the persecution of Diocletian and Macimian. He was arrested while
reading the Gospel in the city of Catana, and brought before the governor,
Calvisianus, with the sacred volume in his hand. The governor asked him whether
he had brought those writings from his own house, or happened to have them
about him.
The saint replied: “I have no house; I carry them
about me, and was arrested with them.”
The judge ordered him to read something from them;
and the saint read the two following texts:
Blessed are they that suffer
persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And:
He that will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.
The judge inquired the meaning of these words.
Euplius replied: “This is the law of God, which hath been given me.”
“By whom?”
“By Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Since, then, thou dost confess thyself a
Christian,” said Calvisianus, “I shall deliver thee to the executioners, that
they may torture thee.”
While the saint was undergoing the torture,
Calvisianus said to him: “What dost thou say of thy confession?”
The saint replied: “That which I have said I now
repeat: I am a Christian!”
“But why,” said the judge, “didst thou not give up
those writings as the emperors have commanded?”
“Because I am a Christian. I will sooner die than
deliver them. IN them is eternal life, which is lost by him who would betray
what God has entrusted to his keeping.”
The tyrant ordered his tortures to be continued,
and Euplius said:
“I thank Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ. Since I suffer
for Thy sake, do Thou preserve me.”
The judge said: “Adore the gods, and thou shalt be
set at liberty.”
The saint replied: “I adore Jesus Christ, and
detest the demons. Torture as much as thou pleases, still shall I proclaim
myself a Christian.”
After the saint had been tortured for a considerable
time, the tyrant exclaimed: “Wretch that thou art! Worship our gods; adore
Mars, Apollo, Aesculapius.”
The martyr answered: “I adore the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, one only God; besides whom there is no God. May your gods
find no worshippers! I offer myself a sacrifice to the true God; nor is it
possible to change me.”
Calvisianus gave orders that his torments should be
increased to the utmost; and while this was being performed, Euplius was heard
to say: “I thank Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ. Since I endure these torments for
Thy sake, do Thou succor me.”
Although the agony of his torments caused his voice
and strength to fail him, his lips still moved, as if he would repeat this
prayer.
At last Calvisianus, seeing that the constancy of
the saint was not to be overcome, commanded his head to be struck off. The book
of the Gospels was tied round his neck, and, while he was proceeding to the
place of execution, the public crier proclaimed before him: “This is Euplius
the Christian, an enemy to the gods and to the emperors.”
But the saint ceased not to return thanks to Jesus
Christ, until he arrived at the place of execution, when, casting himself upon
his knees, he said: “Oh Lord Jesus Christ! I give Thee thanks for having
granted me strength to confess Thy holy name. Complete, Oh Lord, what Thou hast
begun, that Thy enemies may be confused.”
Then, turning to the people who had followed him,
he said: “Brethren, love the Lord with all your hearts; for he never forgets
those who love him. He remembers them during life and at the hour of their
death, when he sends his angels to lead them to their heavenly country.”
Having said these words, he presented his neck to
the executioner, who struck off his head, on the 12th of August, in the year
304. The Christians carried off his body, embalmed and buried it. The Acts of
his martyrdom are found in Ruinart.
Victories of the Martyrs, St. Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Euplus of Catania
Also known as
- Euplio
- Euplius
- 12 August
- 11 August (Synaxary of Constantinople; Byzantine-rite
calendars)
- 27 August on some calendars
Profile
Deacon. Tortured and martyred by order of governor Calvisianus in the persecutions
of Diocletian for the crime of possessing a copy of the Gospels. His
copy of the Scripture was taken when he was arrested; in court he was asked if he had any other copies, and he
began to recite them from memory.
- flogged to death on 12 August 304 in Catania, Sicily, Italy
- relics
in Trevico, Italy that were long thought to be from Euplus were examined
scientifically in 2005 and determined to be from three different people
Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania
Once, while he read and
explained the Gospel to the gathered crowd, they arrested him and took him to
the governor of the city, Calvisianus. St Euplus confessed himself a Christian
and denounced the impiety of idol-worship. For this they sentenced him to
torture.
They threw the injured
saint into prison, where he remained in prayer for seven days. The Lord made a
spring of water flow into the prison for the martyr to quench his thirst.
Brought to trial a second time, strengthened and rejoicing, he again confessed
his faith in Christ and denounced the torturer for spilling the blood of
innocent Christians.
The judge commanded that
the saint’s ears be torn off, and that he be beheaded. When they led the saint
to execution, they hung the Gospel around his neck. Having asked time for
prayer, the archdeacon began to read and explain the Gospel to the people, and
many of the pagans believed in Christ. The soldiers beheaded the saint with a
sword.
His holy relics are in
the village of Vico della Batonia, near Naples
SOURCE : http://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/08/11/102264-martyr-and-archdeacon-euplus-of-catania
Calviniano ordinò che Euplo fosse torturato, e durante il supplizio avvenne il secondo interrogatorio e l'invito a ritrattare la precedente confessione: "Euplo si segnò la fronte con la mano rimasta libera e rispose: "Quello che ho confessato, lo confesso ancora: sono cristiano e leggo le divine Scritture"". I carnefici continuavano a infierire sul suo corpo ed egli pregava: "io ti rendo grazie, o Cristo; salvami, perché soffro per te". Il governatore ordinò una pausa e compì l'ultimo tentativo per convincere Euplo a sacrificare agli dei: " Disgraziato, adora gli dei. Onora Marte, Apollo ed Esculapio". Ed Euplo rispose: "io adoro il Padre, il Figlio e lo Spirito Santo. Io adoro la Santa Trinità. Tranne questo, non c'è altro Dio... Io sacrifico, ma offro me stesso in sacrificio a Cristo Dio, non ho niente di più da sacrificare; i tuoi sforzi sono vani, io sono cristiano".
Euplo venne condannato alla decapitazione: "Gli fu posto al collo il Vangelo che portava al momento dell'arresto; davanti a lui un araldo gridava: "Euplo, cristiano, nemico degli dèi e degli imperatori!". Euplo, tutto contento, ripeteva senza posa: "Grazie a Cristo Dio". Affrettava il passo come se andasse alla incoronazione. Arrivato sul luogo del supplizio si mise in ginocchio e pregò lungamente. Poi presentò la testa al boia e fu decapitato. Più tardi, alcuni cristiani vennero a portare via il corpo. Prima di seppellirlo lo imbalsamarono".
Sant'Euplio è il protettore e compatrono di Francavilla di Sicilia (ME), il protettore di Trevico (AV), il compatrono di Catania.
Sant'
Euplo (Euplio) di Catania Diacono e martire
Catania,
sec. IV
La
popolarità di sant' Agata a Catania ha oscurato un altro martire, il
concittadino sant' Euplo (o Euplio), diacono, che subì il martirio «sotto il
nono consolato di Diocleziano e l'ottavo di Massimiano, la vigilia delle idi di
agosto, a Catania», cioè il 12 agosto 304. Questi dati provengono da un antico
documento, «la Passione di sant' Euplo», che racconta le ultime ore del
diacono. Davanti al tribunale che lo processava Euplo gridò ad alta voce: «Io
sono cristiano; desidero morire per il nome di Cristo». Non volendo per nessuna
ragione abiurare la sua fede, il governatore della città, Calviniano, ordinò
che fosse decapitato. Gli fu posto al collo il Vangelo che portava al momento
dell'arresto; davanti a lui un araldo gridava: «Euplo, cristiano, nemico degli
dèi e degli imperatori!». Euplo, tutto contento,
ripeteva senza posa: «Grazie a Cristo Dio». Affrettava il passo come se andasse
alla incoronazione. Arrivato sul luogo del supplizio si mise in ginocchio e
pregò a lungo. Poi
presentò la testa e fu decapitato. (Avvenire)
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio
Romano: A Catania, sant’Euplo, martire: secondo la tradizione, durante la
persecuzione dell’imperatore Diocleziano, fu gettato in carcere dal governatore
Calvisiano perché trovato con il libro dei Vangeli tra le mani; interrogato più
volte, fu battuto a morte per aver risposto di serbare con vanto il Vangelo nel
suo cuore.
La
popolarità di S. Agata a Catania ha posto in ombra un altro glorioso martire,
il concittadino S. Euplo (o Euplio), diacono, che subì il martirio "sotto
il nono consolato di Diocleziano e l'ottavo di Massimiano, la vigilia delle idi
di agosto, a Catania", cioè il 12 agosto 304. Questi dati ci provengono da
un antico documento, storicamente attendibile, la Passione di S. Euplo,
esemplare per concisione e drammaticità. "Il diacono Euplo, trovandosi
nello spazio dietro il ùvelario del tribunale, gridò ad alta voce: "Io
sono cristiano; desidero morire per il nome di Cristo"". Il
governatore della città, Calviniano, lo convocò dinanzi a sé, e dopo un breve
preliminare gli ordinò di leggere un brano dei libri che recava con sé. Euplo
lesse: "Felici quelli che soffrono persecuzione per la giustizia, poichè
di essi è il regno dei cieli". Poi spiegò: "E’ la legge del mio
Signore, tale e quale mi è stata trasmessa".
Calviniano ordinò che Euplo fosse torturato, e durante il supplizio avvenne il secondo interrogatorio e l'invito a ritrattare la precedente confessione: "Euplo si segnò la fronte con la mano rimasta libera e rispose: "Quello che ho confessato, lo confesso ancora: sono cristiano e leggo le divine Scritture"". I carnefici continuavano a infierire sul suo corpo ed egli pregava: "io ti rendo grazie, o Cristo; salvami, perché soffro per te". Il governatore ordinò una pausa e compì l'ultimo tentativo per convincere Euplo a sacrificare agli dei: " Disgraziato, adora gli dei. Onora Marte, Apollo ed Esculapio". Ed Euplo rispose: "io adoro il Padre, il Figlio e lo Spirito Santo. Io adoro la Santa Trinità. Tranne questo, non c'è altro Dio... Io sacrifico, ma offro me stesso in sacrificio a Cristo Dio, non ho niente di più da sacrificare; i tuoi sforzi sono vani, io sono cristiano".
Euplo venne condannato alla decapitazione: "Gli fu posto al collo il Vangelo che portava al momento dell'arresto; davanti a lui un araldo gridava: "Euplo, cristiano, nemico degli dèi e degli imperatori!". Euplo, tutto contento, ripeteva senza posa: "Grazie a Cristo Dio". Affrettava il passo come se andasse alla incoronazione. Arrivato sul luogo del supplizio si mise in ginocchio e pregò lungamente. Poi presentò la testa al boia e fu decapitato. Più tardi, alcuni cristiani vennero a portare via il corpo. Prima di seppellirlo lo imbalsamarono".
Sant'Euplio è il protettore e compatrono di Francavilla di Sicilia (ME), il protettore di Trevico (AV), il compatrono di Catania.
Autore: Piero
Bargellini
