The life of Hypatius and Andrew
When the emperor Leo the Isaurian began tearing icons from the churches to be trampled and burned, the two would not be silent, and urged the people in their care to hold fast to the veneration of the holy images.
Summoned before the emperor, they held their ground in the debate he arranged, unmoved by his arguments. He had them imprisoned for a long time in hope of wearing down their resolve, but they did not yield, so he turned to torture: they were beaten, the skin and hair torn from their heads, their beards smeared with tar and set alight, and icons themselves were burned against their scalps. Still alive after all this, they were dragged through the city to be mocked before they were finally put to death. Their bodies were thrown out to the dogs rather than given burial, but the faithful recovered them in secret and laid them to rest with honor, keeping the memory of two men who would not let the holy images be taken from their people.
