Martyr Laodicius the Prison-Keeper
The keeper of the prison who, beholding the divine help given to St Glyceria, himself believed in Christ and was beheaded.
The Holy Martyr Laodicius the Keeper of the Prison
Life
Laodicius is venerated as a martyr of the second century, commemorated on May 13 together with the Virgin Martyr Glyceria of Heraclea. By the synaxarion's account he was the keeper of the prison in which Glyceria was confined after she was tortured for confessing Christ during the persecution under the emperor Antoninus (138-161). Beholding the divine help given to the imprisoned maiden, he himself came to believe in Christ and was beheaded for his confession.
Almost nothing is recorded of Laodicius apart from his role in Glyceria's passion. He belongs to a recurring figure in the early martyr accounts: the official charged with guarding a confessor who, witnessing the saint's steadfastness and the help she received, is himself converted and shares her death. His commemoration is kept on the same day as Glyceria's, and the sources treat the two saints as a single act of remembrance.
Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide
(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Laodicius;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
Your holy martyr Laodicius, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
Companions1 figureShowHide
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