When ordered to make sacrifice to pagan idols Theagenes refused, he was staked to the ground and beaten which did not change his position or faithfulness to Christ. He was then drawn to four columns in the city of Parium's market for exposure and public display and ridicule, this also had no effect upon his loyalty to the Triune God.
After the previous attempts had failed to break or kill him, the tribune Zelicinthius had him taken to the jail and stretched upon a rack, again Theagenes remained faithful. He was then placed in a cell and the door sealed to be tortured by starvation. Having resisted all tortures the Emperor ordered that Theagenes be cast into the sea.
When the ship arrived at the place of execution Theagenes was granted permission to pray and did so at length. When finished he turned to them and said, "Brothers, carry out your command without fear and returning to the city in peace, believe in the Lord with your whole heart, and receive eternal life." When he had said these things, and signed himself thrice, they threw him into the sea. Three days later his body was recovered by local Christians and buried on the estate of Adamantius.
Theagenes - 4 January - Confessor and Martyr
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY GOD, by whom the confessions of thy blessed martyr Theagenes might make others more steadfast in the faith and impel unbelievers and those in two minds about the Word to believe; grant that we may show the same constancy in faith even unto mortality, this we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Hope, who together with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Epistle - Philippians 4:4-9.
REJOICE in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
The Gospel - St. John 18:33-37.
THEN Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end ; was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.
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