In Rome there lived a venerable senator named Marcus and his wife Julia. For many years they were unable to have children. In the twenty-second year of their marriage, Julia was finally pregnant. She went to the temple of Jupiter and consulted a priest, who prophesied that her child would one day fight against the pagans. Filled with fear, she attempted to kill the infant, but her husband prevented her.
The boy who was born was named Pontius. He received an excellent education and grew into a wise young man. One day, upon hearing Christian hymns, his soul was filled with light. He came to believe in Christ and got baptized together with his friend Valerius.
After his father’s death, Pontius became a senator, highly respected at the royal court. The emperors Philip the Arab and Gordian III, recognizing his wisdom, invited him to offer sacrifice to the idols. He refused and he openly confessed his faith in the one true God. According to tradition, the emperors themselves believed and, following his example, were baptized, an event that led to the destruction of the pagan temples in Rome.
Soon after, however, persecutions against Christians were renewed under the Emperor Decius. Pontius attempted to hide and flee to the surrounding regions, but he was eventually arrested and brought to trial before the governors Claudius and Ananias.
Saint Pontius courageously confessed his faith and endured severe tortures for Christ. In the end, he was condemned to death and beheaded, thus completing his life in martyrdom.
After his death, the prophecies concerning the punishment of his persecutors were fulfilled. His sacred body was buried by his friend and companion Valerius.
The Church commemorates Saint Pontius on May 14.
