Eulogio

Biography

He was born in Córdoba and died in the same city in the year 859. Córdoba, capital of the caliphate (754-103 l), had half a million inhabitants and the most splendid court in Europe under the emir Abd al-Rahman II (822-852). This allowed Christians to practice their religion on condition that they paid heavy taxes and abstained from all proselytizing. In 858 Eulogius was appointed archbishop of Toledo. But the emir Muhanimad, successor of Abd al-Rahman II, was a little worried when he met Eulogius, firm in his convictions, in such an important seat. He had him arrested for having taken in Lucrecia (March 15), a Muslim girl who had suffered mistreatment by her family as a result of her conversion. Eulogio admitted the facts before the judge. “I would be proud to do the same for you if you were in the same case,” he said, raising his voice. He then offered to prove that Jesus was the Son of God and that Muhammad was nothing more than a forger. This kind of behavior can only be explained because Eulogius aspired to martyrdom. The judge granted him his wish, ordering him to be flogged before being beheaded. It was a Saturday. Young Lucrecia showed no less fearlessness and suffered the same fate the following week.