Acts of Julius the Veteran (complete)

In the time of persecution, when glorious contests were set before the faithful and they looked to receive eternal rewards, then Julius was arrested by the officials and brought before Maximus the governor. Maximus said, “What do you say, Julius? Are the things said about you true?” Julius answered, “They are; I am a Christian. I do not say that I am anything other than I am.” Maximus said, “What then? Did you not know the commands of the emperors, which order sacrifice to the gods?” Julius answered, “I knew them. But I am a Christian, and I cannot do what you wish. For I must not deny my living and true God.” Maximus said, “What is so grave about offering incense and going away?” Julius answered, “I cannot transgress the divine commands and obey unbelievers. Indeed, in empty military service, when I seemed to be going astray for twenty-six years, I was never brought before a judge as a criminal or as a quarrelsome man. Seven times I went out to war; I resisted no one in authority, nor did I fight worse than anyone. The emperor never saw me go astray; and now do you think that I, who was found faithful in the worse things, can be found unfaithful in the better?” Maximus: “What service did you perform?” Julius answered, “I served under arms, and was discharged in my turn, and have been a veteran ever since. Yet I worshiped the living God, who made heaven and earth; and even now I show him faithful service.” Maximus said, “Julius, I see that you are a wise and serious man. So sacrifice to the gods, persuaded by me.” Julius answered, “I will not do what you desire, nor will I fall into sin and eternal punishment.” Maximus said, “If you think it a sin, let it be charged to me. I am using force on you, so that you may not seem to consent willingly. Afterwards you will go safely home. You will receive a bounty of ten denarii, and no one will trouble you again.” Julius answered, “Neither this money of Satan nor your crafty persuasion can separate me from the eternal Lord. For I cannot deny God. So pass sentence against me as against a Christian.” Maximus said, “Unless you are obedient to the emperors' commands and sacrifice, I will cut off your head.” Julius answered, “You have thought well. So I beg you, dutiful governor, by the welfare of the emperors, carry out your thought and pass sentence on me, so that my prayers may be fulfilled.” Maximus said, “If you will not repent and sacrifice, you will be handed over to your desire.” Julius answered, “I give thanks, if you do so.” Maximus said, “You are in a hurry to die, and you think you are suffering for some glory.” Julius said, “If I am counted worthy to suffer this, eternal glory will remain for me.” Maximus said, “I advise you: if you suffered for your country and its laws, you would have eternal praise.” Julius answered, “It is certainly for laws that I suffer this, but for the divine laws.” Maximus said, “Laws handed down to you by one who died and was crucified! See how foolish you are, who make more of a dead man than of the emperors who live.” Julius answered, “He died for our sins, to give us eternal life. But he is God, abiding for ever; whoever confesses him will have eternal life, but whoever denies him will have eternal punishment.” Maximus said, “I pity you, and I advise you rather to sacrifice and live with us.” Julius answered, “If I live with you, it is death to me; but if I die, I live.” Maximus said, “Listen to me and sacrifice, so that I do not kill you as I promised.” Julius answered, “That is what I have often asked, if I may be counted worthy that you do it.” Maximus said, “So you have chosen to die rather than live.” Julius answered, “I have chosen to die for a time, but to live for ever.” So Maximus the governor gave sentence: “Julius, who refuses to consent to the commands of the emperors, is to receive the capital sentence.”

When holy Julius had been led to the usual place, all kissed him. But blessed Julius said, “Let each one look to how he kisses.” A certain Hesychius, a Christian, who was a soldier and was himself held in custody, said to the holy martyr Julius, “I beg you, Julius, fulfill your promise with joy, and receive the crown which the Lord has promised to give to those who confess him; and remember me. For I too am following you. And give my warmest greetings to Pasicrates and Valentio, servants of God, who have already gone before us to the Lord by a good confession.” Julius, kissing Hesychius, said, “Brother, hurry to come. For those whom you greeted have already heard your message.” And saying this, holy Julius took a cloth and bound his eyes, and stretched out his neck, and said, “Lord Jesus Christ, for whose name I suffer this, deign to place my spirit with your saints.” So the minister of the devil drew his sword and put an end to the most blessed martyr. The venerable servant of God Julius was martyred in the province of Moesia, in the city of Durostorum, on the sixth day before the Kalends of June, under Maximus the governor, in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.