(ABOUT 259.)
[Commemorated by Greeks, Armenians, and Latins. The ancient Roman
Martyrology, called that of S. Jerome, on Jan. 7th, as also the
Armenians; another on Feb. 13th; another on Feb. 14th; by the Greeks
on Jan. 9th. Usuardus, Ado, and the modern Roman Martyrology on
Feb. 13th; some ancient ones on Jan. 10th. There are two editions of
the Acts of S. Polyeuctus, one in Latin, the other in Greek, based
on the original by Nearchus, who took his body to burial after his
death. The following account is a literal translation of the later
Acts.]
Whilst the Christians, especially those in the East, were suffering
persecution under the Emperors Decius and Valerian, there were two men
very friendly, Polyeuctus and Nearchus by name. Now Nearchus was a
Christian, but Polyeuctus was a heathen. But when Decius and Valerian
could not be satiated with the blood of the saints, they issued an
edict that those Christians who would sacrifice to the gods, should be
favoured by the majesty of the empire, but that those who refused
should be cruelly punished. Which things being heard, Nearchus, who
desired to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, lamented because his
comrade, whom he loved as a second self, would be left in peril of
eternal damnation. Going therefore to his friend, Polyeuctus, he
announced to him that on the morrow their friendship must come to an
end. And when he answered that death alone could terminate this,
Nearchus said, "You speak the truth, we are about to be separated by
death." And he showed him the imperial edict. Then Polyeuctus narrated
to Nearchus how Christ had appeared to him in vision, and had taken
off his dirty vestment, together with his military harness, and had
thrown over him a gorgeous silk robe, linking it at his shoulder with
a golden brooch, and had mounted him on a winged horse. Hearing this,
Nearchus was glad, and having expounded the vision, and instructed
Polyeuctus more fully in the faith, his friend believed perfectly, and
began to thirst for martyrdom.
Now when Polyeuctus declared himself openly to be a Christian, and
rebuked idolatry, being tried by the persecutors, he was for a long
time tortured. And when he had been a long while scourged with rods,
the tormentors were weary, and endeavoured to persuade him with bland
speeches and promises, to return to the worship of the gods. But he,
remaining immoveable in the confession of the Lord, and deriding them,
was more furiously beaten.
Then came his wife and only son, and she filled the place with her
cries, and held out to him his son, alleging his marriage ties, with
many tears and sighs, and laboured to call the saint from martyrdom,
by the thoughts of his son, of his wealth, and of his friends. But he,
divinely inspired, could not be separated from Christ by any
temptations, but all the more exhorted his wife to desert her idols
and believe in Christ.
Now when the governors saw that the constancy of the martyr was not to
be shaken, they pronounced capital sentence against him. And when the
martyr heard this, he gave thanks, and praising God, was led to the
place of execution, confirming the faithful with his holy
exhortations, so that not a few of the unbelievers were converted.
Then, turning to the Blessed Nearchus, he announced to him that he
should follow him according to mutual agreement; and bidding him
farewell, died a glorious death.