The Martyrdom of St . Claudius .

On this day, the honorable St . Claudius, was martyred . He was the son of Ptolemy(Abtelmawos), who was Emperor Numerianus'3 brother . He was loved by the people of Antiochfor his courage and good appearance . Because they loved him so greatly, they painted a picture ofhim on the doors of the city of Antioch .When Diocletian reneged the faith and incited the persecution against the Christians, this Saintagreed with St . Boctor (Victor) Ebn Romanus4 to be martyred for the sake of the Name of Christ .Satan appeared to them in the form of an old man and told them, "O my sons, you are young men,the sons of nobility, and I am afraid for you from this infidel Emperor; so if he asked you toworship the idols, accept his command, and in your houses you can worship Christ in secret ."They realized that he was satan disguised as an old man and told him, "O you who are filled withall evil, go away from us ." Straightway the old man changed his appearance and became like a3The son of Numerianus is St . Justus, who was martyred . His biography mentioned under the tenth day of Amshir(Vol . II, P260) .4His martyrdom is mentioned under the twenty-seventh of Baramoudah (Vol . III, P .392) .382black slave and told them, "Behold, I will go before you to the Emperor and instigate him to shedyour blood ."The Emperor brought St . Claudius and proposed to him the worship of the idols, and promised togive him his father's position . Claudius neither accepted his promise, nor submitted to his order .He spoke to him boldly and fearlessly reviling him for worshipping the idols . The Emperor did notdare to harm him for the people of Antioch loved him . Romanus, St . Victor's father, advised theEmperor to send him to Egypt to be killed there . He sent him with a letter to the Governor ofAnsena (Antinoe) stating in it: "Claudius neither obeyed our orders, nor hearkened our words .Persuade him with all your power first, and if he does not return on his counsel, cut off his head ."When the Saint heard that, he called Sidrakhos, his sister's husband, asked him to care for hissister, his possessions and bid him farewell . The Saint went with the soldiers to Egypt . When hearrived to Arianus, the governor of Ansena, he received him standing, kissed his hand, and said,"O my master Claudius, do not transgress the command of the Emperor ." The Saint replied, "Iwas not sent to you for you to lead me astray by your words, but that you might fulfil what theemperor commanded ." They argued with each other till Arianus became enraged with the answersof the Saint, and he drove the spear into the Saint . He delivered up his pure spirit and received thecrown of martyrdom . Some of the believers, took his body and shrouded it . They placed it withthe body of St . Victor who was martyred shortly before that . After the end of the time ofpersecution, Victor's mother came, and took their bodies to Antioch .May their prayers be with us . Amen .