In Rome lived the esteemed senator Mark and his wife Julia, who for a long time had no children. In the twenty-second year of their marriage, Julia became pregnant, and during a visit to the temple of Jupiter, a priest prophesied that her child would destroy the idols. Julia, frightened, tried to kill the infant, but Mark opposed her. The boy, named Pontius, grew into a wise and educated young man who, upon hearing Christian psalms, came to faith in Christ. He became a disciple of Saint Pontian and was baptized along with his friend Valerius.
After his father's death, Pontius became a senator and was respected at court. Emperors Philip and Gordian, having learned of his wisdom, invited him to a sacrifice to the idols, but he refused, revealing to them the truth about the one God. The emperors believed and were baptized, which led to the destruction of pagan temples in Rome.
However, persecution of Christians began under Emperor Decius, and Pontius, hiding, fled to the city of Kimela. There he was captured and brought to trial before the governors Claudia and Anavius. Saint Pontius steadfastly confessed his faith, for which he was subjected to cruel tortures but remained unharmed. In the end, he was sentenced to death and beheaded, completing his sufferings for Christ.
After his death, the prophecies about the punishment of the persecutors were fulfilled. The honorable body of the saint was buried by Valerius, his friend and scribe. Saint Pontius entered into the joy of the Lord, and his memory is honored in the Church.
