Great Martyr Great Martyr Procopius of Caesarea (Scythopolis)

Procopius (before baptism, per the fuller Life, named Neanias) was born in Jerusalem to a Christian father, Christopher, and a pagan mother, Theodosia, and later served in Scythopolis (Beth Shean), where he held three church offices: reader, interpreter of Syriac, and exorcist, healing those possessed by unclean spirits. Per the fuller tradition, sent by the authorities to persecute local Christians, he was granted a vision of Christ, who baptized him together with angels and gave him the name Procopius ("one who advances" in the faith).

Refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods and images of the emperors, he was arrested at the very outset of Diocletian's persecution (303) — Eusebius of Caesarea, in "On the Martyrs of Palestine," names him explicitly as the first victim of that persecution in the region. Brought before the governor Flavianus at Caesarea Maritima, Procopius was tortured for his refusal to recant and ultimately beheaded. By tradition, as he was led to execution, he raised his hands toward the east and prayed for the poor, orphans, widows, and the Holy Church, receiving heavenly assurance his prayer was heard before joyfully laying his head under the sword. His own mother, who had denounced him to the authorities, later repented, turned to Christ, and was herself martyred.