Martyr
Martyr Elpidius
† 361–363
Martyr Elpidius held a prominent position at the court of Emperor Julian the Apostate; together with Marcellus and Eustochius he was burned for confessing Christ, miraculously raised from the dead, and, after converting thousands of onlookers, was burned a second time.
Saint Elpidius held a prominent position at the court of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363), who had renounced Christianity and revived pagan worship. Together with his companions Marcellus and Eustochius, he was brought to trial for confessing Christ and subjected to severe torture.
All three were cast into a fire and died, but according to tradition Christ appeared with a host of angels at their burial site and raised Elpidius from the dead. When this was reported to the emperor, the saint was seized again and tortured further; as he prayed, nearby pagan idols crumbled to dust, converting some six thousand witnesses to Christianity.
Elpidius was then burned a second time and died a martyr's death.
His feast is kept on November 15/28.