During the reign of the wicked Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, there lived in Thessalonica two God-pleasing servants of the Church of God, Agapetus and Theodulus. Agapetus was a deacon, and Theodulus was a reader, the son of pious parents. Both led a chaste life and were known for their faith.
Theodulus, having received from God a sign of the martyr's crown, healed the sick with a ring bearing the image of the Holy Cross. When the persecutions against Christians began, the saints did not hide but prayed for the Church and awaited their sufferings. They were captured and brought before the judge Faustinus, who tried to tempt them to renounce Christ.
Saint Theodulus courageously responded to the threats and temptations, asserting that he preferred torture and death to renouncing his faith. Agapetus, supporting him, also did not yield to the enticements. Both saints were imprisoned, where they prayed and strengthened each other.
After their interrogation, they were sentenced to death in the sea. On the ship, before being thrown into the water, the saints continued to confess their faith and call upon Christ. Both were thrown into the sea, where, according to God's providence, their bodies were soon washed ashore.
The holy martyrs departed this life on April 5, glorifying in heaven the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Later, Saint Theodulus appeared to his acquaintances with a radiant face and commanded them to distribute his possessions to the poor.
