Sergius and Bacchus were two high ranking soldiers serving under the idol worshipping Emperor Maximian. When appointed their positions in the army, others became jealous and revealed their faith to the Emperor exposing that they were devout Christians. To test these accusations, Maximian called the two soldiers and ordered them to worship the pagan idols. When they refused and stood by Christianity, the emperor took away their title as soldiers and replaced their golden pendants, rings and belts with women’s clothing.
In this humiliating attire, Maximian had Sergius and Bacchas parade in the streets with chains tied around their necks. This humiliation did not break their faith. The emperor again gave them a second, cordial, chance to return to the Roman Gods and cease their worship of Christ. When they refused he sent them to the governor of East Syria, Antiochus, who was known for harsh treatment of Christians. Antiochus had good report with the soldiers, as they helped him into power. He did not wish to bring harm to them, but after failed persuasion to turn them away from the One True God, he sentenced Bacchus to a fatal beating, where the saint faithfully surrendered his soul to the Lord. Sergius was also torture, forced to wear a pair of iron shoes with nails penetrating the sole of his foot. Then in another city, he was beheaded.. Neither saint every strayed from their Christian stance claiming, “To die (for Christ) is to gain!”