Byzantine Saints: Martyrs Agathopodes the Deacon and Theodulus the Reader at Thessalonica (5 April)

About this sermon

On April 5, the Church commemorates the holy martyrs Agathopodes the Deacon and Theodulus the Reader, who lived in Thessalonica during the brutal persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Despite the threat of death, these faithful servants of Christ boldly proclaimed the Gospel. The young Theodulus received a miraculous vision—a radiant figure placing a ring marked with the Cross into his hand—foretelling his martyrdom. Through this sign, he healed the sick and brought many pagans to Christ. When persecution intensified, they refused to hide. Arrested and brought before the governor, they rejected offers of wealth and life in exchange for denying Christ. Even under threat of torture and death, they remained steadfast. Their courage led to imprisonment, where they continued converting souls. Finally, they were condemned and cast into the sea. In their final moments, they embraced martyrdom as a “second baptism,” entering eternal life with Christ. Their bodies were later found miraculously freed from their bonds, clothed in radiant garments—testifying to their victory in Christ. 🙏 May their witness strengthen us to remain faithful in times of trial. 00:00 Introduction – Saints of April 5 00:23 Who Were Agathopodes & Theodulus? 00:30 Life in Thessalonica Under Diocletian 00:43 The Vision of Theodulus (Miraculous Ring) 01:03 Healing & Conversions Through the Cross 01:08 Persecution Begins (303 AD) 01:23 Arrest and Trial Before the Governor 01:39 Refusal to Renounce Christ 02:01 Attempted Deception of Agathopodes 02:19 Imprisonment and Conversions in Prison 02:30 Second Trial and Witness of Faith 02:48 “You Will Never Conquer the Strong” 03:02 Refusal to Surrender Sacred Scriptures 03:10 Theodulus Faces Execution 03:28 Vision of the Ship and Heavenly Glory 03:54 Final Declaration of Faith 04:01 Martyrs Cast Into the Sea 04:08 “A Second Baptism” 04:23 Miraculous Recovery of Their Bodies 04:30 Burial by the Faithful https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SensusFidelium.TV - https://sensusfidelium.tv/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 Please "Like" our videos so that Youtube shares it to others by clicking the "Like" thumbs-up under the video = 👍🏻 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #Catholic #SaintOfTheDay #ChristianMartyrs #April5 #ChurchHistory #CatholicFaith #OrthodoxSaints #Martyrdom #JesusChrist #Faith #EarlyChurch #LivesOfTheSaints #Christianity #HolySaints #Persecution

Topics

• Suffering & Trials
• Leadership
• Service & Ministry