Martyr Eleutherius at Constantinople

Saint Eleutherius was from Byzantium and, having reached an honorable position at the royal court, was not enticed by earthly goods. He daily exercised in singing sacred songs and adorned his life with virtues. One of the slaves slandered him before the king, reporting that Eleutherius had accepted baptism and neglected the royal decrees. The king, enraged, summoned the saint and tried to turn him away from the faith, but he could not. As a result, by the king's order, Eleutherius was beheaded, and his body was thrown to be eaten by dogs and birds. However, the body of the saint was secretly buried by a Christian priest with honors.