Holy Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus and Their Grandmother Leonilla

Life

They suffered for Christ in the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) in France. Three brothers, triplets. At first only Leonilla was a Christian, while her grandsons were pagans. After long counsels from the pious Leonilla and the local priest, these three brothers were baptized. Having been baptized, they began with all youthful fervor to be zealous for their faith, and in that zeal they went and smashed all the idols throughout the entire region. Accused and brought to trial, they confessed their deed and publicly professed their faith in Christ. The judge threw them into prison, then summoned grandmother Leonilla and directed her to go to the prison and advise her grandsons to renounce Christ and worship the idols. Leonilla silently went to the prison, but instead of advising her grandsons to renounce the true faith, she began to encourage them not to waver, but to endure to the end in all torments and die for Christ. When the judge examined them again and saw their even strengthened steadfastness in the faith, he condemned them to death. All three were first hanged from one tree where they hung "like strings on a gusle," then flogged, and finally burned with fire. A certain woman, Jovilla, inspired by the courage of these martyrs, cried out: "I too am a Christian!" Immediately they seized her, and together with the aged Leonilla they beheaded them with a sword.