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In the days of Emperor Diocletian, Claudius, Castor, Sempronian, and Nicostratus were sculptors tasked with crafting an idol of Asclepius. Secretly Christian, they feigned diligence but intentionally made the idol imperfect. When questioned, they confessed their faith and devotion to Christ, declaring their refusal to worship idols. Their hands, once skilled in artistry, were cut off, and they were cast alive into lead cauldrons. Emerging unscathed, they were eventually drowned at the command of the enraged Emperor.
Let us pray to these holy martyrs, asking that they intercede for us, that we may have the courage to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity and persecution. #Martyrs #Faith #OrthodoxChristian #Prayer #Courage