Martyr Quadratus (Kondrat)
March 10/23
Holy Martyr Quadratus and those with him. During the persecution of Christians in the 3rd century, a devout woman named Rufina fled from Corinth to the mountains to escape persecution. There she gave birth to a son, Quadratus, and soon after the birth, she passed away. By divine providence, the infant was left to live and was miraculously nurtured: a cloud descended upon him, feeding him sweet dew. The childhood and youth of Saint Quadratus were spent in the desert. Already grown up, he once met Christians who enlightened him with the light of true faith. Quadratus learned to read and write, and later studied medicine, achieving great success in it. But above all, Quadratus loved the solitude of the desert and spent most of his time in the mountains, engaging in prayer and contemplation of God. Many years passed. Friends and followers often came to the saint in the desert to listen to his teachings. Among them were Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens, and many others.
By the order of the ungodly persecutor of Christians, Decius (249 - 251), the military commander Jason arrived in Corinth. Saint Quadratus was captured along with his friends and thrown into prison. During the interrogations, Jason often addressed Quadratus as the eldest. The saint bravely defended his faith in Christ the Savior. Then they began to torture him. Despite inhuman sufferings, Saint Quadratus found the strength to support others, convincing them not to fear and to stand firm for the faith. Failing to make anyone renounce their faith, Jason ordered the martyrs to be thrown to the beasts. However, the beasts did not touch them. The saints were tied by their feet to chariots and dragged through the city, with many in the crowd throwing stones at them. Finally, the martyrs were sentenced to beheading. At the place of execution, the saints asked for a little time for prayer, and then one by one approached the executioner, bowing their heads before the raised sword.
The other disciples of Saint Quadratus also suffered for Christ: Dionysius (another) was stabbed with a knife; Victorinus, Victor, and Nicephorus were crushed alive in a huge stone mortar; Claudius had his hands and feet cut off; Diodorus threw himself into the fire prepared for him; Serapion was beheaded; Papias and Leonidas were drowned in the sea. Following the example of the men, many holy women voluntarily went to torture for Christ.