Martyr
Martyr Agathopus of Thessalonica
† 303–305
Also known as: Агафопод Фессалоникийский
A deacon of the Thessalonica church, drowned in the sea together with the reader Theodulus for openly preaching the Gospel under Diocletian.
Martyr Agathopus, a deacon, was already advanced in years and served in the clergy of Thessalonica together with the young reader Theodulus. During the persecution of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian (284–305), they continued openly preaching the Christian faith, for which they were seized. For their firm confession of Christ and refusal to sacrifice to pagan gods, Saints Agathopus and Theodulus were drowned in the sea. According to tradition, the sea cast their bodies back to shore the same hour, and Christians buried them with honor.
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