From his genuine Acts in Ruinart, p. 244. Tillemont, t. 4, p. 16.
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, this their friendship was succeeded by the most implacable
hatred, and they declined meeting each other in the streets. Thus it
continued 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
to forgive him. Nicephorus sent other friends to him on the same errand,
but though they pressed and entreated him to be reconciled, Sapricius
was 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 all in vain.
The persecution suddenly began to rage under Valerian and Gallien in the
year 260. Sapricius was apprehended and brought before the governor, who
asked him his name. "It is Sapricius," answered he. Governor. "Of what
profession are you?" Sapricius. "I am a Christian." Governor. "Are you
of the clergy?" Sapricius. "I have the honor to be a priest." He added:
"We Christians acknowledge one Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who is God;
the only and true God, who created heaven and earth. The gods of nations
are devils." The president, exasperated at his answer, gave orders for
him to be put into an engine, like a screw-press, which the tyrants had
invented to torment the faithful. 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 this." The president 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 contemned the edict of the emperors."
Sapricius seemed to receive the sentence with great cheerfulness, and
was to haste to arrive at the place of execution in hopes of his crown.
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 which he was to
pass through, 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 thou was never seen, in being so solicitous
for a man's {389} pardon who is upon the point of being executed." Being
arrived 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." Sapricius said.
"Upon what account?" They answered: "Because you will not sacrifice to
the gods, nor 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, sensibly afflicted at his apostacy, 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 Sapricius would give no manner of attention to what
he said. Whereupon, Nicephorus, with tears of bitter anguish for the
fall of Sapricius, said to the executioner: "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 being under an
uncertainty how to proceed, dispatched a lictor or beadle to the
governor, with this message: "Sapricius promiseth to sacrifice, but here
is another desirous to die for the same Christ, saying: I am a
Christian, and refuse to sacrifice to your gods, and comply with the
edicts of the emperors." The governor, on hearing this, 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 three immortal crowns, namely, of
faith, humility, and charity, triumphs which Sapricius had made himself
unworthy of. The Greek and the Roman Martyrologies mention him on this
day.