Eupolus, Saint, Martyr

EUPLO, saint, martyr. - He was killed on 12 Aug. 304 at Catania, during the persecution of Diocletian. His cult spread between the 5th and 7th centuries in Sicily and Italy. Acts of his martyrdom exist in Greek and Latin, but the former are certainly more genuine, although interpolated between the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th, and derive from the official records of the trial. Found with a copy of Holy Scripture, E. underwent a first interrogation on 29 Apr. by the corrector Calvisianus, after which he was imprisoned. Brought again before the tribunal on 12 Aug., he was subjected to cruel tortures, as a result of which he died. Later hagiographers believed, because of the circumstances of his martyrdom, that E. was a deacon, but this ecclesiastical rank is by no means proven.