Martyr
Martyr Lupus of Thessalonica
† ок. 306
Martyr Lupus of Thessalonica — servant of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, present at his death by spear in prison (306), who dipped the martyr's ring and garment in his blood and afterward worked many healings and miracles with them; he was himself beheaded by order of Emperor Maximian, having been miraculously baptized shortly before his execution.
Martyr Lupus was the servant (according to some accounts, the slave) of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. He was present at his master's death by spear in prison in 306, during the persecution of Emperor Maximian Galerius. He took the martyr's blood-soaked garment and dipped his own ring in the blood.
With the help of these relics — the blood-stained garment and ring — he performed numerous healings and miracles in Thessalonica, invoking the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius; this strengthened the local Christian community and drew new believers to the faith. He distributed his inheritance to the poor.
The saint's open wonderworking and preaching drew the attention of the pagan authorities, and by order of Emperor Maximian he was seized. According to tradition, at the time his death sentence was pronounced, Lupus had not yet been baptized; he prayed not to die without baptism — and in answer a small cloud miraculously formed over him, from which rain poured, effecting his baptism. Shortly after this he was beheaded by the sword — following his own master, the Great Martyr Demetrius.
His feast is kept on August 23/September 5 (primary date), and also on October 26/November 8 — the feast day of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.