On this day, St. Justus the son of Emperor Numerian, was martyred. This happened when he returned from the war. He found that Emperor Diocletian had married his sister and become the new Emperor. Emperor Diocletian had apostatized the faith in the Lord Christ, and St. Justus was greatly sorrowful for what happened.

When the nobles of the empire met together to enthrone him in place of his father, he did not accept, for he preferred the heavenly kingdom over the earthly. He went before Diocletian and declared his faith in the Lord Christ. The Emperor sent him with his son Abali and his wife Theoclea to the governor of Alexandria, and commanded him to persuade them first and to cut their heads off if they did not obey.

When they arrived in Alexandria, the governor received them and treated them well to persuade them. As he could not change their minds about their faith in Christ, he sent St. Justus to Antinoe (Ansena), Abali, his son to Basta (near Zagazig in Sharkia), and Theoclea to Sa (Salhagar in Gharbia). Each of them took a servant with him so when they completed their strife, the servant would take care of the body. They tortured them, beheaded them, and they received the crown of martyrdom.

May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.