Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Pancras (304)
Young Martyr
Pancras was orphaned as a young child; his mother Cyriada died during childbirth, and his father Cleonius passed away when Pancras was just eight years old. Pancras was entrusted to the care of his uncle Dionysius, and they moved to Rome. Both converted to Christianity, and Pancras became a zealous follower of Christ.
They were arrested during Emperor Diocletian’s persecution in 304. According to tradition, Pancras was brought before the authorities and asked to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods, but he refused. Diocletian was impressed with the boy’s steadfastness and promised him wealth and power if he would make the sacrifice, but Pancras could not be swayed. He was beheaded aged just 14 years old.
Thanks be to God.
O Christ, Son of God,
deliver your servants
by the power of your name.
O God most high,
do not consider the actions of
my persecutors as sin.
God, have pity on them.
Lord, for the sake of your name,
grant me strength to endure what I must.
Release your servants from the captivity of this world.
My God, I thank you,
though I cannot thank you as I should.
Thelica of Abitine (martyred c. 304)