Catholic Saints

Saint Leonides

  • Short, concise biography of Saint Leonides
  • History, Life, Biography, Facts and Information about Saint Leonides
  • Fast, concise facts and information
  • Date of Birth and Death
  • Important Dates surrounding the life of Saint Leonides
  • Life History, Story, Biography, Myths and Legends
  • Description / Title of the Saint : Martyr

Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Leonides

The following provides fast and concise facts and information:

  • Memorial Day / Feast Day of Saint Leonides: April 22
  • Description / Title of the Saint : Martyr
  • Date of Death: Saint Leonides died 202

The Story and History of Saint Leonides

The story and history of Saint Leonides. The Emperor Severus, in the year 202, which was the tenth of his reign, raised a bloody persecution, which filled the whole empire with martyrs, but especially Egypt.

The most illustrious of those who by their triumphs ennobled and edified the city of Alexandria was Leonides, father of the great Origen. He was a Christian philosopher, and excellently versed both in the profane and sacred sciences. He had seven sons, the eldest of whom was Origen, whom he brought up with abundance of care, returning God thanks for having blessed him with a son of such an excellent disposition for learning, and a very great zeal for piety. These qualifications endeared him greatly to his father, who, after his son was baptized, would come to his bedside while he was asleep, and, opening his bosom, kiss it respectfully, as being the temple of the Holy Ghost. When the persecution raged at Alexandria, under Laetus, governor of Egypt, in the tenth year of Severus, Leonides was cast into prison. Origen, who was then only seventeen years of age, burned with an incredible desire of martyrdom, and sought every opportunity of meeting with it. But his mother conjured him not to forsake her, and his ardor being redoubled at the sight of his father's chains, she was forced to lock up all his clothes to oblige him to stay at home. So, not being able to do any more, he wrote a letter to his father in very moving terms, strongly exhorting him to look on the crown that was offered him with courage and joy, adding this clause, "Take heed, sir. that for our sakes you do not change your mind." Leonides was accordingly beheaded for the faith in 202. His estates and goods being all confiscated, and seized for the emperor's use, his widow was left with seven children to maintain in the poorest condition imaginable.

Feast Day of Saint Leonides
The Feast Day of Saint Leonides is April 22. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.

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