Gordius was born at the end of the 3rd century CE in the city of Caesarea of Cappadocia into a Christian family (Basil of Caesarea, In Gordium martyrem; PG 31.493B: “He was raised in this city”). When he came of age, he enlisted as a soldier in the army, occupying a prominent position such that he was entrusted with the leadership – because of his valor and military skill – of a centuria (In Gordium martyrem; PG 31.493B–493C).

During the persecution of Christians at the beginning of the 4th century CE, as Diocletian issued his edict aga…