By Grigorios of Mesaoria
The Orthodox Church commemorates today the Holy Prophet Malachi and Martyr Gordius.
Saint Gordius was from Caesarea of Cappadocia and lived under Emperor Licinius. He was made a centurion, a commander of one hundred soldiers. He could not bear disrespect and blasphemy against Christ, so he left the world and settled in the mountains, living in harmony with nature.
He remained steadfast in his faith and fought against idolatry. He came back from the desert ready to confess the Name of Christ the Savior. Saint Gordius openly appeared in the amphitheatre before the prefect of the city and confessed his faith with no fear. The prefect was furious and, therefore, he ordered the soldiers to kill him by dealing him a fatal blow with their sword.
Saint Theophanes, the hagiographer of the life of Saint Gordius, interpreted the meaning of Saint Gordiu’s decision to leave the world, deny the vanity of life, and to remain devoted to the Lord: Saint Gordius decided to live in Heaven rather than on Earth, because people, by turning away from God, have become inhumane.
Source: Church of Cyprus