Martyr
Martyr Diodorus of Laodicea (Syria)
III–IV век
Martyr Diodorus of Laodicea (Syria) — together with his companion Martyr Didymus, he zealously preached the Gospel to pagans in Laodicea of Syria, converting many to Christ; seized by the ruler of the city, he firmly confessed his faith at trial, denouncing idolatry and the ruler's lawlessness, for which he suffered martyrdom.
Martyrs Diodorus and Didymus were zealous Christians of the city of Laodicea in Syria who openly preached the Gospel to pagans, converting many to Christ and baptizing them. The ruler of Laodicea, learning of their activity, ordered both to be seized. At trial, the martyrs firmly confessed their faith in Christ and resolutely refused to renounce it, while themselves denouncing the worship of idols as lawlessness and error, and reproaching the ruler for impiety. For this confession both suffered a martyr's death. The exact time of their lives is not indicated in the sources, but based on the style of the account they are dated to the 3rd-4th centuries, the era of persecution of Christians. Their memory is kept on September 11/24 together with Martyr Didymus.