Saint Euplus the Deacon, Great Martyr

Euplus was born in Catania, Sicily, and served as a deacon of the local Church in the late third century, under Diocletian. He preached the Gospel with zeal and urged persecuted Christians to accept martyrdom rather than deny Christ.

Denounced to the governor Calvisianus, whom he bested in a public debate about the faith, he was ordered to have his flesh torn with iron claws, his legs broken with hammers, and finally to be beheaded, never once denying Christ through it all.