Martyr Zoticus of Constantinople, feeder of orphans (4th c.)
Commemorated on December 30 and 31
He was born in Rome, and as a young man was chosen by the
Emperor Constantine to assist in the foundation of his new capital at Byzantium.
An outbreak of leprosy in the new City became so severe that the Emperor ordered
that all lepers, whatever their rank, be driven from the city or drowned in the
sea. Zoticus, moved by compassion for these people, went to the Emperor and
asked him for a large amount of gold to buy gems and pearls to enhance the glory
of the city, 'For, as Your Majesty knows, I am well-qualified in this field.'
The Saint then used the gold to ransom all those being led into exile or to
drowning, and to establish for them a camp on the hill of Olivet on the opposite
shore of the Bosphorus. There he brought the sick and provided for their care.
In 337 Constantius, an Arian heretic, took the throne upon the death of his
father. Some of Zoticus' enemies at court, seeing an opportunity, denounced
Zoticus to the new Emperor, saying that he not only held subversive views, but
had misappropriated public money. When he learned of these charges, Zoticus
presented himself to the Emperor, finely dressed, and offered to take
Constantius to see the gems and pearls that he had bought on his behalf. When
they reached the hill of Olivet, Constantius was astonished to see a company of
lepers coming to greet him with lighted candles, honoring and praising him and
their patron Zoticus. Then the holy Zoticus said to the Emperor, 'These are the
precious stones and brilliant pearls that give luster to the crown of the
heavenly Kingdom that you will inherit by their prayers. I bought them for the
salvation of your soul.'
Instead of being grateful, the heartless Emperor ordered that Zoticus be tied
behind wild mules and dragged until dead. The mules ran down the hill, breaking
the Saint's body upon the rocks an brush. Then, of their own accord, they
returned to the top of the hill, still dragging the body, and, like Balaam's ass
(Numbers ch. 22), spoke and proclaimed that the Martyr must be buried on that
hill. The astonished and repentant Emperor ordered the Martyr buried with honor,
and commanded that a hospital for lepers be built there, staffed by the best
physicians and caretakers.
Saint Zoticus is also called Orphanotrophos,
'Cherisher of Orphans,' because in later years a large orphanage was added to
the leprosarium. The orphanage included a general hospital and a home for the
aged. The Saint was honored throughout Byzantine history as the patron of the
orphanage.
