A Roman soldier at Melitene in Armenia, he embraced the Christian faith through a friend. When the persecution edict came, he openly confessed Christ, refused pagan sacrifice and was beheaded.
Life
Saint Polyeuctus is said to have been a Roman soldier martyred in the mid-third century at Melitene in the region of Armenia. Accounts of his life rely on later acts of the martyrs, so little is known for certain.
According to tradition he came to faith through his Christian friend Nearchus. When the emperor ordered soldiers to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, he publicly confessed himself a Christian and refused. He did not yield even to the tearful pleading of his family and in the end lost his life. His story was later turned into a tragedy by the French playwright Corneille.
Spirituality
The Polyeuctus of tradition is a man who courageously confessed the faith he received through a friend. He placed faithfulness to God before his duties as a soldier and chose Christ even against the pleas of his beloved family. His story also shows how powerful a friendship in faith can be.
Reflection
Polyeuctus is said to have come to faith through his friend Nearchus. Do you have a friend who walks the way of faith with you? Why not pray for that friend today, or become such a friend to someone?