Martyr Eleutherius of Constantinople

Commemorated on August 4.

The Holy Martyr Eleutherius served as the cubicularius (chamberlain) at the court of the emperor Maximian Hercules (284-305). When he accepted Christianity, he then settled on a country estate, and built a church at his home. One of the servants reported to the emperor that Eleutherius had become a Christian. The emperor ordered the saint to offer pagan sacrifice. The saint refused and for this he was beheaded. The relics of Saint Eleutherius were at Constantinople, and afterwards transferred to Italy, to the city of Theato.

Troparion

Your holy martyr, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Eleutherius;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.