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
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/7858/Saint-Euplus-le-Diacre.html
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.
SOURCE : http://orthodoxievco.net/ecrits/vies/martyrs/aout/euplius.htm
Also
known as
Euplio
Euplius
Euplo
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
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Victories
of the Martyrs, by Saint Alphonsus
de Liguori
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
images
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
MLA
Citation
“Saint Euplus of
Catania“. CatholicSaints.Info. 17 December 2022. Web. 7 February 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-euplus-of-catania/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-euplus-of-catania/
Article
(Saint) Martyr (August 12)
(4th
century) A Martyr at
Catania in Sicily (A.D. 304). He was in deacon’s orders and openly proclaimed
himself a Christian, carrying about with him a Book of the Gospels, a
proceeding directly contrary to the Edicts of the Emperor Diocletian. Put on
the rack and bidden to worship Apollo, Mars and AEsculapius, he replied that he
adored only the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. After his execution the
Christians carried off his body and embalmed it.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Euplius”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
12 August 2016. Web. 7 February 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-euplius/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-euplius/
St. Euplius
Feastday: August 12
Patron: of Catania; Trevico; Francavilla di Sicilia
Death: 304
St. Euplius was a deacon
at Catania, Sicily, during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of
the Christians. He was found guilty of possessing a copy of the gospels by the
governor, Calvisian. When Euplius persisted in refusing to sacrifice to
the gods, he was beheaded on April 29th. His feast day is August
12th.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=631
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.
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-euplius/
Victories
of the Martyrs – Saint Euplius, Deacon
Article
Saint Euplius obtained
the crown of martyrdom in Sicily during the persecution of Diocletian and
Maximian. 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 now 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 pleasest, 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: “O Lord Jesus Christ! I give Thee thanks for having granted me strength
to confess Thy holy name. Complete, O 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.
MLA
Citation
Saint
Alphonsus de Liguori. “Saint Euplius, Deacon”. Victories
of the Martyrs. CatholicSaints.Info. 17 December 2022.
Web. 7 February 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/victories-of-the-martyrs-saint-euplius-deacon/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/victories-of-the-martyrs-saint-euplius-deacon/
et http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-euplius.html
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.
Note
2. Matt. xvi.
24. Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume VIII:
August. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/8/122.html
Saint of the Day – 12 August
– Saint Euplus of Catania (Died 304) Deacon Martyr.
Posted on August
12, 2021
Saint of the Day – 12
August – Saint Euplus of Catania (Died 304) Deacon Martyr. Died by being
flogged to death on 12 August 304 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. Patronages –
co-patron of Catania, Sicily, Italy, Francavilla di Sicilia, Italy, Trevico,
Italy. Also known as – Euplio, Euplius, Euplous.
The Roman Martyrology
states: “In Catania, Saint Euplous, Martyr – according to tradition,
during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, he was thrown into prison by
the governor Calvisiano because he was found with the book of the Gospels in
his hands; – questioned several times, he was beaten to death for replying that
he would keep the Gospel in his heart with pride.”
Euplus Deacon, who
suffered Martyrdom “under the ninth consulate of Diocletian and the eighth
of Maximian, on the eve of ides of August, in Catania” that is, 12 August
304. This data comes to us from an ancient document, historically
reliable, the Passion of St. Euplus, exemplary for conciseness and drama.
“The Deacon Euplous, finding himself in the court, shouted aloud – “I am a
Christian; I wish to die for the name of Christ “ The governor of the
City, Calviniano, summoned him to stand before him and after a brief
preliminary, ordered him to read a passage from the books he brought with him.
Euplus read: “Happy
are those who suffer persecution for justice”
Calviniano ordered that Euplus be tortured, and during the torture, the second
interrogation took place and the invitation to retract the previous confession:
“Euplus crossed his forehead with his free hand and replied:” “What I have
confessed, I confess again – I am Christian and I read the Divine Scriptures.”
The executioners continued to rage and tortue him and he prayed: “I thank you, O Christ, save me, because I suffer for you.” The governor ordered a break and made the last attempt to persuade Euplus to sacrifice to the gods: “Wretch, worship the gods. honour Mars, Apollo and Aesculapius.” Euplus replied: “I adore the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I adore the Holy Trinity. Except this, there is no other God … I sacrifice but I offer myself as a sacrifice to Christ God, I have nothing more to sacrifice; your efforts are in vain, I am a Christian.”
Euplus was sentenced to be beheaded: “The Gospel he wore at the moment of
his arrest was placed around his neck, in front of him a herald shouted:” Euplus,
Christian, enemy of the gods and emperors!”. Euplus replied: “Thanks be to
Christ God.” He hurried up as if he were going to the coronation. Arriving
at the place of execution he knelt down and prayed for a long time. Then he
presented his head to the executioner and was beheaded. Later, some Christians
came to take away the body. Before burying it, they embalmed it.”
Author: AnaStpaul
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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.
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
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
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/65950
Atti del Martirio di
Sant'Euplio Diacono
sotto Diocleziano,
nell'anno 304
1 ) Durante il nono
consolato di Diocleziano e l’ottavo di Massimiano, la vigilia delle idi di
agosto, nella città di Catania, stando fuori della tenda dell’ufficio del
governatore, il diacono Euplio gridò: "Sono cristiano e desidero morire
per il nome di Cristo".
Udendo ciò, Calvisiano,
procuratore, disse: "Entri la persona che ha gridato".
Appena Euplio entrò
nell’ufficio del giudice, recando i vangeli, uno degli amici di Calvisiano, che
aveva nome Massimo, disse: "Non è lecito tenere tali libri contro l’ordine
imperiale".
Calvisiano domandò a
Euplio: "Da dove vengono questi libri? Sono usciti dalla tua casa?"
Euplio rispose: "Non
ho casa. Lo sa anche il Signore mio, Gesù Cristo".
Il procuratore Calvisiano
riprese: "Li hai portati qui tu?"
Euplio rispose: "Li
ho portati io, come vedi tu stesso. Mi hanno trovato con quelli".
Calvisiano ordinò:
"Leggili".
Aprendo il vangelo Euplio
lesse: "Beati coloro che soffrono persecuzioni per la giustizia, poiché di
questi è il regno dei cieli" e, in un altro passo: "Chi vuol venire
dietro di me, prenda la sua croce e mi segua".
Mentre leggeva questi e
altri brani, Calvisiano domandò: "Che cosa è tutto questo?"
Euplio rispose: "È
la legge del mio Signore, che mi è stata affidata".
Calvisiano insistette:
"Da chi?"
Euplio rispose: "Da
Gesù Cristo, Figlio del Dio vivente".
Calvisiano intervenne
nuovamente dicendo: "Poiché la sua confessione è evidente, sia consegnato
ai ministri della tortura e sia interrogato tra i tormenti".
Quando fu consegnato
loro, cominciò il secondo interrogatorio in mezzo alle torture.
2 ) Durante il nono
consolato di Diocleziano e l’ottavo di Massimiano, la vigilia delle idi di
agosto, il procuratore Calvisiano disse a Euplio, posto tra i tormenti:
"Che cosa ripeti ora di quello che dichiarasti nella tua
confessione?"
Tracciandosi sulla fronte
il segno della croce con la mano libera, il martire rispose: "Quello che
ho detto prima confermo ora: io sono cristiano e leggo le divine
Scritture".
Calvisiano ribatté:
"Perché non hai consegnato questi libri, che gli imperatori hanno vietato
di leggere, ma li hai tenuti con te?"
Euplio disse:
"Perché sono cristiano e non mi è lecito consegnarli. Per un cristiano è
meglio morire che consegnarli; in essi è la vita eterna. Chi li consegna perde
la vita eterna e, per non perderla, offro la mia".
Calvisiano interloquì
dicendo: "Euplio che, contravvenendo all’editto dei principi, non ha
consegnato le Scritture, ma le legge al popolo, sia torturato".
Fra i tormenti Euplio
disse: "Ti ringrazio, Cristo. Proteggimi, perché soffro tutto questo per
te!"
Calvisiano lo esortò con
queste parole: "Desisti da questa follia, Euplio. Adora gli dèi e sarai
liberato!"
Euplio rispose:
"Adoro Cristo detesto i demoni. Fa’ di me quel che vuoi, sono cristiano.
Per lungo tempo ho desiderato questo. Fa’ quel che vuoi. Accresci i miei
tormenti. Sono cristiano".
La tortura durava da
molto tempo, quando Calvisiano ordinò ai carnefici di smettere e disse al
martire: "Infelice, adora gli dèi! Venera Marte, Apollo ed
Esculapio!".
Rispose Euplio:
"Adoro il Padre, il Figlio e lo Spirito santo. Adoro la santissima
Trinità, oltre la quale non esiste alcun Dio. Periscano gli dèi che non hanno
creato il cielo, la terra e tutto ciò che in essi è compreso. Io sono
cristiano".
Il prefetto Calvisiano
insistette: "Sacrifica, se vuoi essere liberato!"
Euplio rispose:
"Proprio ora sacrifico me stesso a Cristo Dio. Non esiste alcun altro
sacrificio che io debba compiere. Invano tenti di farmi rinnegare la fede. Io
sono cristiano".
Calvisiano ordinò che
fosse torturato ancora, più violentemente e, durante i tormenti, Euplio disse:
"Ti rendo grazie, o Cristo, soccorrimi; Cristo, soffro per te questo,
Cristo!"
Ripeté più volte queste
invocazioni e, quando le forze gli venivano meno, privo ormai della voce,
diceva solo con le labbra queste e altre preghiere.
3 ) Entrato nell’interno
dell’ufficio, Calvisiano dettò la sentenza e, uscito, lesse il verbale che
aveva portato con sé: "Ordino che Euplio, cristiano, che disprezza gli
editti dei principi, bestemmia gli dèi e non si pente di tutto questo sia
passato a fil di spada. Conducetelo al supplizio".
Fu appeso al collo del
martire il vangelo con il quale era stato trovato al momento dell’arresto e il
banditore andava dicendo: "Euplio, cristiano, nemico degli dèi e dei
sovrani".
Lieto, Euplio ripeteva
sempre: "Grazie a Cristo Dio!"
Giunto al luogo
dell’esecuzione, s’inginocchiò e pregò a lungo. Rendendo poi ancora grazie al
Signore, porse il collo e fu decapitato dal carnefice.
Il suo corpo fu poi
raccolto dai cristiani, imbalsamato con aromi e sepolto.
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20060509143958/http://www.orthodoxia.it/biblio_euplio.php
Santa Maria dell’Aiuto e Sant’Euplo di Catania: fra storia e simboli, lunedì 17 maggio 2010 : https://letterecatinensi.blogspot.com/2010/05/santa-maria-dellaiuto-e-santeuplo-di.html, giovedì 12 agosto 2010
Sant’Euplio ricordato per la prima volta nel luogo del suo martirio: S.Messa nella piazza-cortile San Pantaleone a Catania, giovedì 12 agosto 2010 : https://letterecatinensi.blogspot.com/2010/08/santeuplio-ricordato-per-la-prima-volta.html
