October 20 Orthodox commemorate the martyrs Sergius and Bacchus

Sergius and Bacchus held high positions in the Roman army under the emperor Maximian. When it became clear that they were secret Christians and flatly refused to offer sacrifices to pagan idols, they were subjected to cruel humiliations: deprived of military ranks, put on women’s clothes and led around the city in heavy chains.

They were then sent to the governor of Antiochus, whom they themselves had once helped secure the office. Antiochus begged his friends to renounce, but the warriors remained adamant. Bacchus was beaten to death with whiplashes, and Sergius was put in iron boots filled with nails, and after long ordeals they were beheaded with a sword around 300.

Interesting fact: in ancient times, these saints were revered so much that the famous temple of St. Sophia in Constantinople was originally built as an improved copy of the Church of Sergius and Bacchus (it later became known as the “Little Hagia Sophia”). In Russia, St. Sergius of Radonezh was also named in honor of the warrior Sergius at tonsure. Unfortunately, the last church in their honor in Moscow was destroyed in the Soviet years, and now in Russia there are no functioning churches with such dedication.

Also on October 20, the church celebrates the day of memory of St. Sergius Obnorsky, Nuromsky and St. Sergius the Obedient, Pechersky, in the Near Caves.

On the same day, the martyr Pelagia of Tarsia, who lived in the third century, is remembered. The daughter of noble pagans, she secretly believed in Christ and took a vow of chastity. When the heir to the emperor Diocletian became passionate about her and demanded marriage, Pelagia firmly replied that her fiancé was the Son of God himself.

The young man, not wanting to force her, in despair took his own life. A fierce mother betrayed her daughter to the emperor, accusing him of his death. Diocletian, captivated by the beauty of the girl, offered her wealth and the status of the first wife, but received a proud refusal: “I abhor your vain crown, for I have three incorruptible: for faith, purity and martyrdom.”.

Sentenced to be burned in a copper will, Pelagia herself entered the red-hot oven with prayer. Her body evaporated like myrrh, filling the air with fragrance, and the bones remained intact. The four lions miraculously guarded her remains from birds and beasts until Bishop Clinon gave them to the ground with great honors.