Twelve holy martyrs, equal in number to the Apostles, suffered for Christ in Caesarea of Palestine during the reign of Diocletian. Among them was Saint Pamphilus, a presbyter of Caesarea, originally from Berytus, known for his virtuous life and courageous confession of the name of Christ. The second martyr was Valentin, a deacon of the church of Eli, distinguished by his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. The third was Paul, from Jamnia, who had previously suffered for Christ. These three martyrs were imprisoned for two years, after which they were subjected to tortures by the prefect Firmilian. During this time, five young men, who were Christians, joined them, having been captured and also sentenced to death. They, renouncing their pagan names, called themselves by the names of the prophets. The governor Firmilian, not understanding their words about the Heavenly Jerusalem, cruelly tortured them, but they steadfastly confessed their faith. Saint Porphyrius, the servant of Pamphilus, also suffered for his desire to bury the bodies of the martyrs. After him, Seleucus and Theodulus joined in martyrdom, who were also executed for confessing Christ. Finally, Saint Julian, seeing the bodies of the martyrs, was captured and burned. All of them, having suffered for Christ, were worthy of crowns and were buried by Christians, glorifying God.
