He came from a pagan family and received a good education. Having become interested in Christianity, he found the books of the New Testament and received Holy Baptism from the presbyter Carpophorus. After that, he began to openly preach the Gospel. His father tried to turn him away from Christianity and married him to a priestess of Athena Pallas, but he converted his wife Daria to Christ, and they decided to lead a chaste life.
The townspeople complained to the eparch Kelerip about the preaching of celibacy, and the saint was handed over to the tribune Claudius for torture. However, the tortures could not shake his courage, and the tribune, struck by the power of God, believed in Christ and received Baptism together with his family. Emperor Numerian ordered the execution of all, and the martyr Claudius was drowned, while his sons and soldiers were beheaded.
Saint Hilaria, the wife of Claudius, was captured and, praying, passed away. Saint Daria was sent to a brothel, but she was guarded by a lion, who did not touch her and knocked down those who tried to defile her. Saint Chrysanthus was thrown into a pit of filth, but it was filled with fragrance.
The emperor ordered that the saints be handed over to executioners, and after tortures, the martyrs were buried alive. Christians gathered in a cave, celebrating the day of the martyr's death of the saints, performing services. The pagan authorities ordered to bury the entrance to the cave where Christians prayed.
Thus, many Christians perished in torment, among whom were the martyrs presbyter Diodorus and deacon Marian.
