Sts. Eudoxius, Zeno, and Companions

Eudoxius had served as a Roman magistrate in Armenia until he was stripped of his office for being a Christian. Not content to leave Eudoxius in peace, a Roman prefect sent his officers to arrest him. As they neared Eudoxius' home, the officers encountered Eudoxius himself, but did not recognize him because of his humble attire. They asked the stranger where to find the house of Eudoxius. Immediately, without disclosing his identity, he led them into his home, invited them to his table, and assured them that he would deliver to them the man they were looking for. After feasting at his table, the officers thanked their host for his hospitality. Eudoxius then declared, "I am the man you seek." Stunned at this revelation, the officers protested that they could not bring themselves to betray a man who had treated them so amiably. Eudoxius, however, insisted that they arrest him, for he knew they had been ordered to take him. Subsequently Eudoxius, his Christian friends Zeno and Macarius, and a large number of Christian soldiers inspired by Eudoxius' example were executed for their faith.