Martyr
Martyr Aglaius of Sebaste
† 320
Also known as: Аглаий, страж Севастийских мучеников
A Roman guard who watched over the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste in the frozen lake; upon seeing a miraculous light above them, he confessed himself a Christian and became the fortieth martyr.
Martyr Aglaius was a Roman guard who in 320, during the persecution of Emperor Licinius, watched over forty Christian soldiers condemned to stand in the freezing water of Lake Sebaste. During the night, one of the forty could not endure the torment, went ashore, and renounced Christ in a warm bathhouse, but died instantly. Aglaius then saw a miraculous light shining over the remaining martyrs; he woke his fellow guards, cast off his clothing, and crying "I too am a Christian!" entered the lake to make up the number of confessors. Thus the number of martyrs again became forty, and Aglaius suffered martyrdom together with them, sharing their crown.
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