The life of St Patroclus
When the emperor summoned him and pressed him to worship the pagan gods, offering wealth and honor in return, Patroclus answered that it was the emperor, not he, who was truly poor, since he lacked the one thing worth having, faith in Christ. For this he was condemned to be put to death by the water's edge, so that his body might not rest on dry land, and the soldiers led him to the river to carry out the sentence. As they made ready, their sight grew dim, and Patroclus crossed to the far bank, where he knelt to pray. He was found there and killed. Two beggars whom he had often helped recognized his body among the poor of the city he had served and buried him with honor.
