E06694: The 'epic' Greek Martyrdom of *Klaudios, Asterios, Neon and Theonilla (martyrs of Cilicia, S02533), is preserved in a single fragment, but its contents can be viewed in a later epitome. Written, presumably in Mopsuestia (Cilicia), or elsewhere in south-east Asia Minor, probably in the 5th-6th century.

Martyrdom of Klaudios, Asterios, Neon and Theonilla (BHG 2070)

Summary:

§ 1: The holy martyrs Klaudios, Asterios and Neon lived in the time of the emperor Diokletianos, when Lysias was governor of the province of Cilicia. They were brothers, Isaurians by birth, from the city of Laranda. In order to claim their rightful inheritance from their stepmother, they came to Mopsuestia to have their case tried before the governor. But their stepmother, wishing to cut them off from their inheritance, denounced them to the governor as Christians. Under interrogation they confessed their faith and their preference for Christ over any earthly fortune and inheritance.

§ 2: First Klaudios was brought to the stadium, strung up and flogged, and his heels were burned with fire, while his sides were rubbed with seashells, and singed with burning papyrus, and his joints were dislocated. Second to be brought in was Asterios, who was strung up and his sides lacerated, while his shins were constricted with 'labraria' [λαβραρίοις, of unknown meaning] and fire put under his heels. His hands and feet were bound and pulled in separate directions, and his back and his belly were rent open by being beaten with ox tendons. And third, Neon was brought in and they put burning coals under his feet and whipped his back with tendons. And they took the three brothers together outside the walls of Mopsuestia and nailed them to columns, where they died; and afterwards the governor had their bodies thrown to beasts and birds (τὰ δὲ τούτων σώματα ὁ ἡγεμὼν θηρίοις τε καὶ πετεινοῖς βορὰ ῥιφῆναι προσέταξεν), but faithful people took them and buried them with honour in prominent places (ἐν ἐπισήμοις τόποις ἐντίμως κατέθεντο).

§ 3: Afterwards, saint Theonilla was brought forth, and her feet were bound together and the soles cut with strips. After enquiring whether she was willing to comply with the orders given to her, and finding out that she was unwavering, they hung her by her hair and struck her cheeks with blows. Afterwards they shaved her hair, dressed her in rags and beat her bare back with stripes, until she surrendered her spirit to the Lord. And they placed her body in a sack and put it in the sea. There follows a short prayer by the hagiographer.

Text: Lackner 1969, 130-132.
Summary: N. Kälviäinen.