Saint Eleutherios and Saint Anthia

The story of the Hieromartyr Eleutherios is a touching tale of service, loyalty and love. He was born in Rome in the latter years of the 1st century. His father was in the imperial service of the Emperor, while his mother Anthia chose to serve another Master: Jesus Christ. After becoming a widow at an early age, Anthia entrusted her only son to the care of the Bishop of Rome, who immediately recognized the special spiritual gifts that Eleutherios possessed. He ordained him a deacon at the age of 15, a priest at 18 and a bishop at 20!

Eleutherios was soon largely responsible for winning many converts to Christianity, which caused him to be branded as an "enemy of the state". The commander Felix was sent to arrest the youthful bishop and bring him back to Rome for trial. Instead, the heart of Felix was touched by the words of Eleutherios and he, too, became a Christian.

The gentle Eleutherios nonetheless returned to Rome, where he was tortured and beheaded, along with his new convert Felix. His blessed mother Anthia fearlessly came to grieve over the body of her martyred son, and she too suffered the same fate. These terrible executions took place in 120 A.D. during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.