Euplius

Saint Euplius was born in Sicily, in the city of Catania, though the year of his birth is unknown. He served the Church as a deacon during the fierce Diocletianic Persecution, and his love for the Word of God became the very cause of his witness. Arrested for possessing and reading from the Scriptures, Euplius was brought before the governor, Calvinianus, who demanded that he read aloud from the sacred book. Even under interrogation, Euplius did not hide his faith; instead, he testified openly through the words of the Bible. For this courage he was tortured and, around AD 304, was beheaded at Catania, near the place later marked by a church dedicated in his honor. Venerated by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, Euplius is honored as a martyr whose “good sailing” was a steadfast passage to Christ. He is patron of Trevico and is also revered in Sicily as co-patron of Catania. His feast day is August 12.