By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
The Church celebrates today the memory of Martyrs Galaktion and his wife Epistimi and Apostles Patrobus, Hermas, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, of the Seventy.
Saints of Galaktion and Epistimi lived in the 3rd century AD under the reign of Emperor Decius. The Greek parents of Galaktion were originally pagans, but later they were converted to Christ.
They raised their son Galaktion in the Christian Faith and provided him a fine education.
When Galaktion grew up, he married Epistimi, whom he converted to Christ through his life and he secretly baptised himself. They both decided to devote themselves to Christ. When the persecutions began during the reign of Decius, Saints Galaktion and Epistimi were arrested, tortured and beheaded for the glory of Christ.
The Apostle Linus, whose memory we also celebrate today, came from a noble Roman family, met the Apostles Paul and Peter and became the first Bishop of Rome in 60 AD who succeeded Saint Peter the Apostle.
He worked diligently to consolidate the Church and shepherd the people of God with love.
Bishop Linus was martyred in 79 AD and ultimately was beheaded for his strong faith in God, his preaching the Holy Gospel and his pastoral contribution.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus