Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martyrology. By the Greeks on Aug. n. The Acts exist in their original form, and are thoroughly trustworthy. "| In Sicily, in the year 304, under the ninth consulate of Diocletian and the eighth of Maximian, on the 12th of August, in the city of Catana, Euplius, a deacon, was brought to the governor’s audience-chamber, and attending on the outside of the curtain, cried out, “ I am a Christian, and shall rejoice to die for the name of Jesus Christ.’' The governor, Calvisianus, who was of consular dignity, heard him, and ordered that he who had made that outcry should be brought in and presented before him. Euplius went in with the book of the Gospel in his hand. One of Calvisianus’s friends, named Maximus, said, “You ought not to keep such writings, contrary to the edicts of the emperors.” Calvisianus said to Euplius, “ Where had you those writings? did you bring them from your own honse ?” Euplius replied, “ That he had no house, but that he was seized with the book about him.” The judge bid him read something in it. The martyr opened it, and read the following verses, “ Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”1 6". Euplius.

And again, “ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”1 The judge asked what that meant. The martyr answered, “ It is the law of my Lord, which hath been delivered to me.” Calvisianus said, “By whom?” Euplius answered, “ By Jesus Christ, the Son of the iiving God.” Calvisianus then pronounced, “ Since his confession makes his disobedience manifest, let him be delivered up to the executioners, and examined on the rack.” This was immediately done. Whilst they were tormenting him, Calvisianus asked him whether he persisted in his former declaration. Euplius, making the sign of the cross on his forehead with the hand that he had at liberty, said, “ What I formerly said I now declare again, that I am a Christian, and read the holy Scriptures.” Calvisianus ordered him to be hoisted on the rack, and more cruelly tormented. The martyr said, whilst undergoing torture, “ I thank thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that I suffer for thy sake: save me, I beseech thee.” Calvisianus said, “ Lay aside thy folly; adore our gods, and thou shalt be set at liberty.” Euplius answered, “ I adore Jesus Christ; I detest the devils. Do what you please; add new torments; for I am a Christian. I have long desired to be in the condition in which I now am.”

After the executioners had tormented him a long time, Calvisianus bade them desist, and said: “ Wretch, adore the gods; worship Mars, Apollo, and HSsculapius.” Euplius replied, “ I adore the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I worship the Holy Trinity, beside whom there is no God.” Calvisianus said, “Sacrifice, if you would be delivered.” Euplius answered, “I sacrifice myself now to Jesus Christ my God. All your efforts to move me are to no purpose. I am a Christian.” Then Calvisianus gave orders for increasing his torments.

Whilst the executioners were exerting their utmost in torturing him, Euplius prayed thus: “ I thank thee, my God; Jesus Christ, succour me. It is for thy name’s sake that I endure these agonies.’' This he repeated several times. When his strength failed him, his lips were seen still to move, the martyr continuing to pray inaudibly when he could not speak.

Then Calvisianus went behind the curtain and dictated the sentence of death. Coming out with the tablet in his hand, he read, “ Euplius, a Christian, despising the edicts of the emperors, blaspheming the gods, and not repenting, is condemned to death by the sword. Lead him away.” Then the Gospel was hung about his neck, and the herald went before him, as he was conducted to execution, crying, “ Euplius, a Christian, the foe of the gods and of the emperors.”

But Euplius, full of joy, cried incessantly, “ Thanks be to Christ, my God.” And when he was come to the place he again gave thanks, and submitted his throat to the executioner, and was decapitated. Then the Christians took up his body, and embalmed it with spices, and buried it.