Martyr Созонт Помпеольский, Киликийский

Martyr Sozon of Pompeiopolis (Cilicia) suffered for Christ around 304 AD under Emperor Maximian Galerius. Born in Lycaonia (Asia Minor) into a Christian family, he worked from childhood as a shepherd; his baptismal name was Tarasius, later changed to Sozon. Diligently studying the Holy Scriptures, he readily shared his faith with fellow shepherds, converting many of them to Christ. One night, resting beneath an oak tree, the saint received a vision calling him to martyrdom for Christ. He went to the city of Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, where a festival was being prepared in honor of a golden idol; entering the pagan temple, Sozon broke the hand off the golden statue and distributed the precious metal to the poor. When the theft was discovered, the saint came forward himself and openly confessed himself a Christian. For this he was subjected to brutal torture — hung up, torn with iron claws, and beaten — from which he gave up his spirit to the Lord. His body was to be burned, but a sudden storm of rain and lightning prevented it. He is commemorated on 7/20 September.