From the Prologue of Ochrid
They suffered for Christ and were crowned with the crown of glory in the time of Emperor Decius. By the emperor's command the governor of Africa proclaimed to all the people that all must offer sacrifice to the idols; otherwise the governor threatened terrible torture for every obstinate one. Having heard of these threats, many fell away from the faith and worshiped the idols. But these forty martyrs remained steadfast, on account of which they were subjected to torture. Saint Terence encouraged his companions with these words: "Let us take care, brethren, that we do not deny Christ our God, lest He also deny us before His heavenly Father and the holy angels!" The governor divided them into two groups: the thirty-six, after flogging and scraping and pouring salt on their open wounds, he beheaded by the sword. And the first four he cast into prison with heavy chains about their necks, on their hands, and also on their feet. But an angel of God appeared in the prison, touched the chains of the fettered ones, and the chains fell off. Then the angel set an abundant table before them and fed them. Again they were brought out and tortured, and again locked up in prison. The governor further ordered the sorcerers to gather as many venomous creatures as possible — serpents and scorpions — and to shut them in the same cell with the martyrs. But the creatures would not touch God's servants; instead they huddled into one corner and there lay for three days. When on the third day the prison was opened, the creatures rushed at the sorcerers and bit them. Finally the governor pronounced the death sentence upon the four martyrs. When they were led out to execution, they joyfully sang psalms and praised God, Who had deemed them worthy of a martyr's death. They suffered honorably and were deemed worthy of the Kingdom in the year 250.
