In 249 the troops proclaimed their commander, Decius (Decius in church tradition) emperor. Since the general could not boast of an ancient family or huge wealth, he announced that his elevation was the work of the gods and began to strengthen pagan cults in every possible way. Special commissions were established throughout the empire. Their task was to identify Christians and make sure that they sacrificed to the pagan gods. At the end of the ceremony, citizens were issued a certificate of its passage. Christians refused to worship idols. Then
They were declared state criminals and sentenced to death.
It was in this situation, in the city of Lampsak, that young Peter was captured and brought to the governor. He was offered to offer sacrifices to Venus, but the young man refused, loudly announcing that he was a Christian. They tried to force him to torture him. But Peter was strong in spirit and kept saying that he had only one Lord, Jesus Christ. The tormented, wound-covered young man was slaughtered with the sword, but not forced to renounce Christ.
During these persecutions, six Christians were also captured: 2 soldiers, whose names have not been preserved, Andrew, Paul, Dionysius and Nicomachus. They were tortured, beaten, humiliated. Five strong men were in the faith and did not succumb to pain and horror, and Nicomachus could not stand and sacrificed to idols. It didn’t do anything good. He took action as soon as he finished the rite in terrible torment. Among the crowd that watched who was sympathetic, who was condemned, was the maiden Christina. She cried out to Nicomach that for a couple of hours of torment he had condemned himself to eternal torment. Hearing her talk, the maiden was captured. They decided to give it to the soldiers, but when they brought Christine into the house, an angel appeared. His formidable appearance frightened the soldiers so much that they begged Christina not to be angry, but to pray to her Lord for them.
At this time, the crowd demanded the execution of Andrew, Paul and Dionysius. They were stoned. Christine, whom her torturers had released, ran to the place of execution and wanted to share the fate of the martyrs. But the crowd has already exhausted the fuse. She was stabbed by a warrior.
Memorial Day
May 31
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
