In the year 264 AD in the city of Cæsarea, Palestine, a soldier named Marinus, serving in the army of the Emperor Gallien, was at the point of receiving a much coveted promotion when his enemies denounced him as a Christian. Asked by the emperor if this were true, he replied that it was, and then he was given three hours to decide which he would choose, apostasy and promotion, or fidelity to Christ and death. His bishop, Theotecue, led him to the church, administered to him the Sacrament of Confirmation, and offering him a sword and the book of the Gospels, said “Choose.” Marinus without hesitation took the sacred book in his hands and went bravely to death and to eternal reward.
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