(ABOUT A.D. 258.)
[The Roman and Greek Churches commemorate this Saint on the same
day. Authorities:--The ancient Acts by an anonymous author, and
another life, by John, B. of Sardis.]
There dwelt in Antioch, a priest called Sapricius, and a layman, named
Nicephorus, who had been linked together for many years by the
strictest friendship. But the enemy of mankind, sowing between them
the seeds of discord, their friendship was succeeded by the most
implacable hatred, and they no longer accosted each other when they
met in the streets. Thus it continued for a considerable time. At
length, Nicephorus, entering into himself, and reflecting on the
grievousness of the sin of hatred, resolved on seeking a
reconciliation. He accordingly deputed some friends to go to Sapricius
to beg his pardon, promising him all reasonable satisfaction for the
injury done him. But the priest refused his forgiveness. Nicephorus
sent other friends to him on the same errand, but though they pressed
and entreated him to be reconciled, Sapricius remained inflexible.
Nicephorus sent a third time, but to no purpose; Sapricius having shut
his ears not to men only, but to Christ Himself, who commands us to
forgive, as we ourselves hope to be forgiven. Nicephorus, finding him
deaf to the remonstrances of their common friends, went in person to
his house, and casting himself at his feet, owned his fault, and
begged pardon for Christ's sake; but this also was in vain.
Persecution suddenly began to rage under Valerian and Gallienus, about
A.D. 258. Sapricius was apprehended and brought before the governor,
who asked him his name. "It is Sapricius," answered he. The governor:
"Of what profession are you?" Sapricius: "I am a Christian." The
Governor: "Are you of the clergy?" Sapricius: "I have the honour to be
a priest. We Christians acknowledge one Lord and Master Jesus Christ,
who is God; the only and true God, who created heaven and earth. As
for the gods of the heathen they are but devils." The president,
exasperated at his answers, gave orders for him to be put into an
engine, like a screw press. The excessive pain of this torture did not
shake Sapricius's constancy, and he said to the judges, "My body is in
your power, but my soul you cannot touch; only my Saviour Jesus Christ
is master of that." The governor seeing him so resolute, pronounced
this sentence: "Sapricius, priest of the Christians, who is
ridiculously persuaded that he shall rise again, shall be delivered
over to the executioner of public justice to have his head severed
from his body, because he has disregarded the edict of the emperors."
Sapricius seemed to receive the sentence with great cheerfulness, and
was in haste to arrive at the place of execution, in hopes of his
crown. On his way to martyrdom, Nicephorus ran out to meet him, and,
casting himself at his feet, said, "Martyr of Jesus Christ, forgive me
my offence." But Sapricius made him no answer. Nicephorus waited for
him in another street, through which he was to pass, and, as soon as
he saw him coming up, broke through the crowd, and falling again at
his feet, conjured him to pardon the fault he had committed against
him, through frailty, rather than design. This he begged by the
glorious confession he had made of the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Sapricius's heart was more and more hardened, and now he would not so
much as look on him. The soldiers laughed at Nicephorus, saying, "A
greater fool than thee was never seen, in being so solicitous for a
man's pardon who is upon the point of execution." On their arrival at
the place of execution, Nicephorus redoubled his humble entreaties and
supplications, but all in vain; for Sapricius continued as obstinate
as ever, in refusing to forgive. The executioners said to Sapricius,
"Kneel down that we may cut off your head." And now, for the first
time, there was a sign of wavering in the Confessor. He grew pale and
trembled, and asked, "Upon what account?" They answered, "Because you
will not sacrifice to the gods, or obey the Emperor's orders, for the
love of that man that is called Christ." The unfortunate Sapricius
cried out, "Stop, my friends; do not put me to death: I will do what
you desire: I am ready to sacrifice." Nicephorus, dismayed at his
apostasy, cried aloud to him, "Brother, what are you doing? renounce
not Jesus Christ, our good Master. Forfeit not a crown you have
already gained by tortures and sufferings." But the holy Spirit of
Fortitude had been withdrawn from him, who would not show forgiveness
to his brother, and he tremblingly renounced his Lord and Master. Then
Nicephorus, with tears of bitter anguish for the fall of Sapricius
said to the executioners, "I am a Christian, and believe in Jesus
Christ, whom this wretch has renounced; behold me here ready to die in
his stead." All present were astonished at such an unexpected
declaration. The officers of justice, uncertain how to proceed,
despatched a messenger to the governor for further orders. The
governor, on hearing the account of the confession of Nicephorus,
dictated the following sentence: "If this man persist in refusing to
sacrifice to the immortal gods, let him die by the sword:" which was
accordingly put in execution. Thus Nicephorus received the three
immortal crowns of faith, humility, and charity, triumphs of which
Sapricius had made himself unworthy.