At the time of the great persecution of Christians, when the Roman Empire was ruled by Diocletian and the Tetrarchs, in Macedonia, in the city of Amphipolis, Mokius was the presbyter. He preached Christ loudly and openly, urging people to renounce idol worship. There were people who heeded the Word, but most did not want change. They were especially avoided by the rulers. And here,
Around 295, during a festival dedicated to Bacchus, Mokii came to a place of worship and spoke about the true faith. In indignation, he brought down the altar and smashed the statue of Bacchus. For this he was arrested, brought before the ruler, who ordered to hang Mokia from a tree and to be torn with iron hooks.
But no matter how much they tormented the martyr, only prayers came from his mouth, no wounds could cause him hooks. Then the governor ordered him to be thrown into the oven. But like biblical heroes, Mokii simply walked inside without suffering the fire. On the contrary, the fire broke out of the furnace and scorched the ruler and 9 guards.
Mokia was thrown into prison to await the arrival of the new ruler and his decision. The new viceroy was also an opponent of Christians. He continued to torture Mocius, and when he could not get him to renounce the faith of Christ, he sent him to Byzantium. He had his head cut off. With his last breath he asked the Lord to receive his soul in peace. Under the emperor Constantine, a temple dedicated to St. Mocius was built. His relics were found in the 6th century and moved to that temple.
Memorial Day
24 May
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
