A Roman soldier to whom the Life-giving Cross appeared in a vision, who gave away his goods to the poor and openly confessed Christ, and was martyred for the faith.
Feast Day
July 14
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Justus was a Roman soldier of the third century who, according to the synaxarion, came to faith in Christ after the Life-giving Cross of the Lord appeared to him in a vision. He renounced his former life, gave away his possessions to the poor, and openly confessed himself a Christian.
Brought to trial for his faith, he endured various tortures and was finally put to death by fire. His brief account is preserved in the Orthodox calendar for July 14, where he is honored as a martyr.
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Conversion and Confession
The surviving account of Justus is compact. He served as a Roman soldier when, by the tradition recorded in the synaxarion, the Life-giving Cross appeared to him in a vision. This vision moved him to believe in Christ.
Having embraced the faith, Justus gave away his goods to the poor, an act of charity and renunciation that marked his break with his former life. He did not conceal his Christianity but confessed it openly, which brought him to the attention of the authorities.
Trial and Martyrdom
By the decree of the official of Magnesia, Justus was brought to trial as a Christian. He was subjected to various tortures in the course of his examination.
He was at last cast into a fire and gave up his soul to God. The account relates that the flames did not harm his body, a detail the sources present as a sign of his sanctity. He is commemorated on July 14.
