Martyr
Martyr Eppolonius of Antioch
†ок. 251
Martyr Eppolonius of Antioch — one of three brother-youths (together with Urban and Prilidian), disciples of Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch; during the persecution of Emperor Decius (249-251), while in prison together with his mentor and mother Christodula, he refused to renounce Christ and, according to the number of years of each, was inflicted with wounds (Eppolonius receiving seven), after which he was beheaded together with Babylas and his brothers.
Martyr Eppolonius was one of three brother-youths — disciples of Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch, together with the elder brothers Urban and Prilidian and their common mother Christodula. When, during Emperor Decius's stay in Antioch (r. 249-251), a great pagan festival was held there, Bishop Babylas was at the same time celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the church, and the three youths with their mother were beside him. Learning of this, the emperor ordered them all imprisoned and tried every means to induce the youths and their mother to renounce Christ, but did not succeed. In a rage, he ordered each of the youths to be given wounds equal to the number of years they had lived: one received twelve wounds, another ten, and the third — Eppolonius — seven. After this, Hieromartyr Babylas and the three youths were beheaded; their mother Christodula also suffered a martyr's death. Their memory is kept on September 4/17 together with Hieromartyr Babylas and his disciples.