Righteous Terentius and Neonilla of Syria

Martyrs Terentius and Neonilla of Syria lived in the third century. Neonilla, a devout Christian woman, married the righteous Terentius, and together they raised seven children — Sarbelus, Photus, Theodulus, Hierax, Nitus, Bellus, and Eunice — in the Christian faith and strict piety. During the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Decius Trajan (249–251), the entire family was seized by pagans for openly confessing Christ and denouncing idol worship. The martyrs endured severe torments: they were hung up and scraped with iron hooks, their wounds treated with vinegar and fire, thrown to wild beasts who left them unharmed, and doused with boiling tar without injury. When it became clear that no torture could shake their faith, the persecutors beheaded them — first Terentius, then Neonilla, and finally all seven children. The Orthodox Church commemorates the holy martyrs Terentius, Neonilla, and their children on October 28 / November 10.