Lives and Martyrdoms of the Saints, Volume 1

"and see the afflictions of the people, and the ruin of your churches, the destruction of the altar, and the distress of the holy order, the despondency of the believers, the terrors of those who have turned from the truth. But in that to which I have been called, in that will I stand firm, and that to which I have been invited, the same I shall complete with deeds. And I shall be an example to all your people who are in the East, and I shall give my blood before them, and with them I shall receive my life, where there is no fatigue or distress, no sorrow and no agitation of thoughts, no threats and no eyes of kings. There is no one who calls and frightens, and no one who troubles and terrifies. May the loosening of my feet be strengthened by you, the path of all. May the labor of my limbs rest in you, O Anointed One. May the pains of my heart be forgotten in you, cup of our salvation. May the streams of the tears of my eyes be stemmed by you, consolation of our rejoicing."

And when he said this, and while he still wanted to prolong the prayer, suddenly a command came from the king to release him if he would worship the sun and the fire; otherwise, not to stop the torments and to torture him with them for a long time. And having asked if he would offer sacrifice, and he not agreeing nor counting the torments, the king ordered a long spear with a double-pointed arrow to be planted and struck through his belly. And thus, the invincible soldier of Christ surrendered his spirit into the hands of the angels, on the twenty-fourth of the month of Marti likely March, glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.