Story
Lives of the Saints and Martyrs in the Coptic Orthodox Church
St. Asterius the Martyr
The three brothers Claudius, Asterius, and Neon were martyred at the hands of the governor of Cilicia, named Lysias, who was known for his great cruelty and his hatred of Christians. At his hands there were also martyred, together with these brothers, two women, Domnina and Theonilla, the latter of whom had a son who was but a child. At his hands also the saints Cosmas and Damian were martyred.
Martyrs Claudius, Asterius, Neon, and Theonilla of Aegae in Cilicia - Menologion of Basil II, 10th century manuscript, Vatican Library.
These three brothers were from Aegae. Their stepmother handed them over to the authorities by denouncing them as Christians, so that she might inherit their property.
Lysias summoned the brother Claudius and entered into the following dialogue with him:
- Well then, what is your name?
- Claudius.
- Do not be a fool and lose your life in your youth. Sacrifice to the gods and escape the torments prepared for you if you refuse.
- My God does not require such sacrifices. He delights rather in almsgiving and in holiness of life. Your gods are evil spirits, who delight in such offerings, while eternal punishments are prepared for whoever practices them.
(You will find more about these saints here on the St. Takla website in the sections of biographies, the Synaxarium, history, and the sayings of the Fathers.)
- Let him be bound and beaten, for there is no other means than this of bringing him back to his senses.
- Even if you pour out upon me the harshest and most violent torments, you will not move me or harm me.
- By order of the emperors, Christians are to offer sacrifices to the gods; whoever refuses is punished, and whoever obeys is rewarded.
- Their reward is fleeting and passing, but the confession of Jesus Christ bestows eternal glory.
Then the governor commanded that he be tortured, and the martyr said to him: "Neither your fires nor anything else can wound those who fear God; rather, they bestow upon them eternal life." Then the governor commanded that the punishment be intensified, but Claudius said: "I count it a profitable thing to suffer for the sake of God, and a great joy to die for the sake of Jesus Christ."
Lysias ordered him cast into prison and another brought forward; so they brought to him Asterius, and the following dialogue took place:
- Accept my counsel and sacrifice to the gods; behold, you see before your eyes what has been prepared for the disobedient.
- There is one God, who dwells in heaven, and by His great power He looks upon the smallest of things. My parents taught me to love Him and to worship Him, but I do not know these whom you call gods and to whom you render worship.
- Tear his sides with iron hooks; compel him to sacrifice to the gods.
- I am the brother of him whom you were just now interrogating, and we have agreed to make one confession. My body is in your power, but my soul you shall not reach.
- Bring the pincers and the wheels; bind his feet and torment him, that he may know that I am able to torment him... Place burning coals beneath his feet, and scourge him upon his back and his belly...
Finally he cast him into prison and brought forward the youngest brother, Neon, whom he called "son" and spoke with gently; and when he showed steadfastness, he tortured him on the iron wheel to tear his body, and placed burning coals upon him, and scourged him upon his back.
When the ruler had failed, he commanded that the three brothers be crucified outside the city, and left their bodies as food for the birds of the air.
He is commemorated on the 23rd of August