By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Today the Church celebrates the memory of St. Leontius, Bishop of Neapolis of Cyprus, and Saint Leontius, who martyred with the Saints Hypatius and Theodoulus.
Holy Martyr Leontius was Greek by origin and lived in the 1st century, during the reign of Vespasian. He served as an officer of the imperial army and, thanks to his bravery, his good sense and his administrative virtues, he had a brilliant military career, succeeding in becoming senior general.
Leontius has never concealed his faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, he continued to stand by his fellowmen who needed his support.
While Leontius was in Africa, the governor sent the tribune Hypatius with a detachment of soldiers to Tripoli so as to find and arrest him. Thanks to the miracle the Holy Spirit, Hypatius was immediately healed from a terrible disease.
Then, the tribune Hypatius and the soldier Theodoulus asked Saint Leontius to enlighten them with faith in the True God and immediately believed in Jesus Christ. They endured with courage horrible tortures. Seeing the steadfastness of these saints, they beheaded them.
Next, seeing that nothing could make him renounce Christ, Leontius was beaten with rods until he reposed into the Lord.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus
