St. Euplius, Martyr (12 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

“I am a Christian.” Those words could cost a man his life in A.D. 304—and St. Euplius refused to take them back. In this account from The Lives of the Saints attributed in the transcript to Father Butler, we hear the extraordinary martyrdom of St. Euplius (Euplus), a Christian deacon of Catania, Sicily, who suffered during the persecution under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Euplius appeared carrying the book of the Gospels and openly proclaimed himself a Christian. When ordered to read from the sacred writings, he proclaimed Christ's words concerning those who suffer persecution for righteousness and the command to take up one's cross and follow Him. The authorities demanded to know who had given him this law. His answer was simple: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Euplius was handed over to executioners and tortured. Yet suffering did not silence his confession. He declared again: “I am a Christian.” He refused to surrender the sacred Scriptures because he believed doing so would offend God. For Euplius, death was preferable to betraying Christ because death opened the way to eternal life. His persecutors offered him freedom if he would worship their gods. Euplius refused. Instead, he confessed Jesus Christ and proclaimed his faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—the Holy Trinity. More torture followed. Still he prayed. Still he thanked Jesus Christ. Still he refused to deny his Lord. Even as his physical strength disappeared and he could no longer pray aloud, his lips continued moving in prayer. Finally, Euplius was condemned to death by the sword. The book of the Gospels that had been found with him was hung around his neck as he was led to execution. Yet rather than despair, the martyr remained cheerful and continued giving thanks to Jesus Christ. At the place of execution, Euplius knelt and prayed. Then, after once more giving thanks to God, he presented his neck to the executioner and received the crown of martyrdom. The Christians recovered his body, prepared it for burial, and buried him. His name would be remembered in the martyrologies of the Western Church. But the story of St. Euplius leaves Christians with a serious question: If following Christ actually cost us something, would we still follow Him? It is easy to profess Christianity when nothing is demanded of us. The martyrs show us another kind of Christianity. A Christianity willing to suffer. A Christianity unwilling to compromise. A Christianity that chooses Jesus Christ above comfort, approval, freedom—even life itself. St. Euplius could have escaped suffering by offering worship to false gods. Instead, he chose Christ. May his example give us courage to remain faithful when our own faith is tested. St. Euplius, pray for us. 00:00 – St. Euplius, Martyr of Sicily 00:17 – “I Am a Christian” 00:40 – Euplius Appears Carrying the Gospels 01:04 – Ordered to Read the Holy Scriptures 01:11 – Blessed Are Those Who Suffer Persecution 01:18 – Take Up Your Cross and Follow Christ 01:27 – Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God 01:33 – Euplius Is Sent to the Rack 01:48 – He Refuses to Deny His Christian Faith 02:04 – Death Rather Than Surrender the Scriptures 02:13 – The Torture Intensifies 02:21 – Euplius Prays to Jesus During His Torment 02:29 – “I Adore Jesus Christ” 02:46 – Ordered to Worship the Roman Gods 02:55 – Euplius Proclaims the Holy Trinity 03:05 – “I Sacrifice Myself to Jesus Christ” 03:13 – His Prayer Continues Through the Torture 03:31 – Euplius Is Sentenced to Death 03:54 – The Gospels Are Hung Around His Neck 04:02 – He Goes Joyfully to His Execution 04:11 – The Final Prayer of St. Euplius 04:20 – St. Euplius Receives the Crown of Martyrdom 04:29 – Remembered by the Western Church https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/st-euplius/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StEuplius #CatholicMartyrs #CatholicSaints #JesusChrist #CatholicFaith #StEupl

Topics

• Suffering & Trials