Holy Martyr Pavsilip

In the second century, a trial against a Christian named Pavsilip was completed in the Roman possessions. The case ended during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138).

The prosecutor was one of the pagan townspeople who filed a lawsuit against the authorities. He was brought to the Emperor personally. During the interrogation, the defendant did not hesitate to confirm his belonging to the new faith. This was followed by a cruel punishment — the man was beaten with metal rods. Then the defendant was transferred to an official named Precius. For a long time, he tried to persuade the defendant to compromise, offering to perform the ritual in front of the statues of deities. The attempts proved futile.

Having exhausted the arguments, Precius approved the death sentence. The convict was put on shackles and led to the place of execution. However, on the way, according to reports, the wounded prisoner began to fervently pray for his immediate death. Suddenly the forces returned to the exhausted body: he managed to break the iron links of chains and rushed away. The guards rushed after, but when the distance shortened, the fugitive was no longer breathing. Death overtook him in motion.

The remaining believers took the remains and organized a decent burial. This precedent is preserved in martyrologists as a story of perseverance unbroken by torture.