THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS PERSECUTION BEGAN A. D. 303.
The persecution did not yet cease, though it had already risen to a very high degree. But it may have pleased God to bring his people through much tribulation into his kingdom. Acts 14:22,23.
EUPLIUS, A PIOUS CHRISTIAN, BEHEADED IN THE CITY OF CATANA IN SICILY, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 303.
On the 12th of August, A. D. 303, a certain pious Christian, called Euplius, was surprised by the inquisitors of the Romans, in the city of Catana in Sicily, as he was engaged in reading the Gospel, and instructing other Christians. They apprehended him and brought him near the tribunal, in which sat the clerk of the criminal court and the Judge.
Meanwhile Euplius cried aloud: “I am a Christian, and wish to die for the name of Christ.”
Calvisianus, the Proconsul, hearing this, said: “Bring him in here, who cried thus.”
When Euplius had entered the tribunal, carrying with him the Gospel books, one of the Proconsul’s friends said: “It is not right for him to carry such papers with him contrary to the prohibition of the Emperors.”
The Proconsul asked Euplius, whence he had these writings? Whether he brought them from his house?
Euplius answered: “I have no house. My Lord Jesus Christ knows that I have no house.”
Then the Proconsul commanded him with a loud voice, to read something out of the writings.