Martyr Claudius, Asterius, Neon, and Theonilla of Aegæ in Cilicia

The Martyrs Claudius, Asterius, Neones, and Theonilla of Aegae in Cilicia suffered for Christ in the year 285 during the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-311). After their father’s death, the stepmother, who did not want to give the children their inheritance, betrayed them to the persecutors of Christians. The governor of Cilicia, who was named Licius, urged the martyrs to renounce Christ and instead to worship idols, and he employed various means of torture. They crucified the unyielding brothers. Saint Theonilla was hung up by her hair and flogged, and had burning coals placed on her chest. When she departed to the Lord, her body was thrown into the sea.