Martyr
Martyrs Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus
† 70–79 (по другой традиции — нач. IV в.)
Also known as: Леонтий Финикийский, Леонтий Триполийский, Мученики Триполийские, Мч. Леонтий Финикийский
Leontius, a soldier who taught the faith in Tripoli of Phoenicia, and the tribune Hypatius and soldier Theodulus whom he converted, all martyred by the governor Hadrian.
The holy martyrs Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus suffered at Tripoli in Phoenicia (modern Lebanon). According to the Greek Passions, followed by the Russian Church, this happened under Emperor Vespasian (70–79).
Leontius, a Greek by origin, was a soldier in Tripoli respected for his courage and wisdom, who taught the townspeople the Christian faith. The senator Hadrian, appointed governor of Phoenicia to force Christians to sacrifice to idols, sent the tribune Hypatius to arrest him. On the way Hypatius fell gravely ill; an angel told him in a dream to call on the God of Leontius, and he was healed. Hypatius and his friend Theodulus then found Leontius and were baptised. Hadrian had Hypatius and Theodulus beheaded after torture; Leontius was beaten to death, and Christians buried him near the harbour of Tripoli, where a church was later built.
The Orthodox Encyclopedia notes a separate Eastern (Syriac, Coptic, Georgian) tradition linking Leontius with the monk Publius and dating his martyrdom to the early 4th century. His veneration was widespread by the 5th century. The martyrs are commemorated on 18 June (1 July new style).