April 5^th (March 23^rd Old Calendar)

St. Philitus, his wife Lydia and their children, Macedonius and Theoprepid, suffered for Christianity during the time of Hadrian (118-138). Philitus was the tsar’s advisor. Information regarding them is scant. It is known that the sufferings of Philitus’s family began in Rome and ended in Illyricum. Having been thrown into boiling oil, they remained whole and unscathed. Wishing to be quickly united with Christ, the martyrs themselves begged for their end, and with prayers departed to the Lord.

Upon seeing the staunch faith of Philitus and his family, the commander Amphilochus and the jailer Kronid professed their belief in Christ and also suffered as martyrs.