Martyr
Martyr Juventinus (Evventius) and Maximus, Soldiers of Antioch
IV век — †361-363
Also known as: Еввентий Антиохийский
Martyrs Juventinus and Maximus — bodyguard-soldiers of Emperor Julian the Apostate at Antioch, who openly denounced his apostasy from Christianity and his secret defilement of market food with pagan sacrificial blood; for this they were executed at night in prison, so as to deny Christians the chance to honor their courage.
Martyrs Juventinus and Maximus were officer-bodyguards in the service of Emperor Julian the Apostate (r. 361-363). While in Antioch, Julian ordered that sacrificial pagan blood be secretly sprinkled over food and water sold in the marketplaces, so as to unknowingly defile Christians.
At a military banquet, Juventinus and Maximus openly denounced this act and Julian's own apostasy from the Christian faith, invoking Holy Scripture (echoing the imagery of the Book of Daniel concerning the king of Babylon). Reported to Julian, they confirmed their words under interrogation, for which they were stripped of all their property, subjected to brutal beatings, and imprisoned; they were executed — beheaded — deliberately at midnight, so as to deny Christians the opportunity to publicly honor their courage.
St. John Chrysostom delivered a eulogy in their honor roughly 20 years after their martyrdom, praising their steadfastness.
Their feast is September 5/18 (primary date), also observed on October 9/22.