Science of the Saints, 12 July, The Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilary

The Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilary were natives of the village of Kalipta, near Ancyra, and they suffered during the time

of a persecution under the emperor Trajan (98-117). Saint Proclus was put under arrest first. Brought before the governor Maximus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in Christ. The governor decided to compel the saint by force to submit himself to the emperor to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. During the time of tortures, the martyr predicted to Maximus that soon he himself would be compelled to confess Christ as the True God. They forced the martyr to run after the chariot of the governor, heading towards the village Kalipta. Exhausted along the way, Saint Proclus prayed that the Lord would halt the chariot. By the power of God the chariot halted, and no sort of force could move it from the spot. The dignitary sitting in it was as it were petrified and remained unmoving until such time, at the demand of the martyr, that he would sign a statement with a confession of Christ; only after this was the chariot with the governor able to continue on its way.

The humiliated pagan took fierce revenge on Saint Proclus: after many tortures he commanded that he be led out beyond the city, tied to a pillar and executed with arrows. The soldiers, leading saint Proclus to execution, told him to give in and save his life, but the saint said that they should do what they had been ordered.

Along the way to the place of killing, there met them the nephew of Saint Proclus, Hilary, who with tears hugged his martyr-uncle and also confessed himself a Christian. The soldiers seized him, and he was thrown into prison. The holy Martyr Proclus beneath the hail of arrows prayed for his tormentors and with prayer gave up his soul to God.

Saint Hilary, having been brought to trial, with the same fearlessness as Saint Proclus confessed himself a Christian, and after tortures he was sentenced to death. They tied the martyr's hands and dragged him by his feet through the city, wounded and bloody, and then they beheaded him three days after the death of his uncle, the holy Martyr Proclus. Christians buried them together in a single grave.