The Holy Martyr Patroclus.

Commemorated August 17 in the Orthodox Christian Menaion

From the Prologue

A citizen of the city of Trychasia, the present-day Troyes in Gaul, he inherited great wealth from his parents and, as a true Christian, used it for daily alms to the poor. He himself lived as an ascetic, taking food only once a day after sunset. For his holiness of life, the Lord gave him healing power, and he became known everywhere as a wonderworking healer. The Emperor Aurelian, coming to Gaul, commanded that Patroclus be brought before him. Holy Patroclus confessed his faith in Christ, concealing nothing. 'If, O King, you desire some of my goods, I will give them to you, for I can see your wretchedness', St Patroclus said to the Emperor. To this, the Emperor replied: 'How do you call me, the Emperor, wretched, having immeasurable wealth?' St Patroclus said: 'You have earthly, transitory riches, but you are wretched, for you are not only not in possession of yourself; you have no faith in Christ in your heart.' He was condemned to death and handed over to the soldiers, with orders that he be taken to a swampy spot and beheaded, his body being left in the mud. But the saint prayed to God that his body should not be left thus in the mud, and, by God's power, he suddenly became invisible to the soldiers and taken across to the other side of the river. After seeking him at some length, the soldiers found him and beheaded him in that dry place. Two beggars, to whom Patroclus had often given alms, came along this way and, recognising the body of their benefactor, buried it. He died at the end of the third century.

From The Prologue From Ochrid by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich
©1985 Lazarica Press, Birmingham UK