Rome, 200, 3rd Century, Folder, Roman Empire, Pagans, Goths and Diocletian.kmz

Rome, 200, 3rd Century, Folder, Roman Empire, Pagans, Goths and Diocletian

Rome, 202, Haralambos of Magnesia near Ephesus, 113 years old, monstrous tortures, miraculous conversions, great story
Ephesus, 202, Haralambos, Bishop of Magnesia (Meander River 5), near Ephesus, successful preacher, 113 years old, monstrous tortures, iron hooks, removed skin, I thank you for restoring my spirit, to pass over, Lucius forearms cut off, spat in face, head twisted around, L asked for mercy, healed, baptized, Emperor Severus ordered more tortures, saint protected, E daughter believed, S blasphemed & boasted, earthquake, imps suspended in air, H let them down, E sentenced H to beheadidng, savior and angels, H asked no famine disease, but peace, prosperity, fruit, grain, wine, and souls saved in that place, Lord promised to fulfill and ascended w H; Magnesia (Meander River); Hieromartyr Haralambos, Bishop of Magnesia in Thessaly, the Martyrs Porphyrius and Baptus, and three women Martyrs, Commemorated on February 10; Hieromartyr Haralampus, Bishop of Magnesia, the martyrs Porphyrius and Baptus and three women martyrs suffered in the year 202. Haralampus, Bishop of Magnesia (Asia Minor), successfully spread faith in Christ the Savior, guiding people on the way to salvation. News of his preaching reached Lucian, the governor of the district, and the military commander Lucius. The saint was arrested and brought to trial, where he confessed his faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifice to idols. the bishop’s advanced age (he was 113 years old), he was subjected to monstrous tortures. They lacerated his body with iron hooks, and scraped all the skin from his body. During this the saint turned to his tormentors, “I thank you, brethren, that you have restored my spirit, which longs to pass over to a new and everlasting life!” the Elder’s endurance and his complete lack of malice, two soldiers (Porphyrius and Baptus) openly confessed Christ, for which they were immediately beheaded with a sword. Three women who were watching the sufferings of Saint Haralampus also began to glorify Christ, and were quickly martyred. enraged Lucius seized the instruments of torture and began to torture the holy martyr, but suddenly his forearms were cut off as if by a sword. The governor then spat in the face of the saint, and immediately his head was turned around so that he faced backwards. Lucius entreated the saint to show mercy on him, and both torturers were healed through the prayers of Saint Haralampus. During this a multitude of witnesses came to believe in Christ. Among them also was Lucius, who fell at the feet of the holy bishop, asking to be baptized. reported these events to the emperor Septimus Severus (193-211), who was then at Pisidian Antioch (western Asia Minor). The emperor ordered Saint Haralampus to be brought to him in Antioch. Soldiers twisted the saint’s beard into a rope, wound it around his neck, and used it to drag him along. They also drove an iron nail into his body. The emperor then ordered them to torture the bishop more intensely, and they began to burn him with fire, a little at a time. But God protected the saint, and he remained unharmed. miracles were worked through his prayer: he raised a dead youth, and healed a man tormented by devils for thirty-five years, so that many people began to believe in Christ the Savior. Even Galina, the daughter of the emperor, began to believe in Christ, and twice smashed the idols in a pagan temple. On the orders of the emperor they beat the saint about the mouth with stones. They also wanted to set his beard on fire, but the flames burned the torturer. of wickedness, Septimus Severus and an official named Crispus hurled blasphemy at the Lord, mockingly summoning Him to come down to the earth, and boasting of their own power and might. The Lord sent an earthquake, and great fear fell upon all, the impious ones were both suspended in mid-air held by invisible bonds, and only by the prayer of the saint were they put down. The dazed emperor was shaken in his former impiety, but again quickly fell into error and gave orders to torture the saint. finally, the emperor sentenced Saint Haralampus to beheading with a sword. During Saint Haralampus' final prayer, the heavens opened and the saint saw the Savior and a multitude of angels. The holy martyr asked Him to grant that the place where his relics would repose would never suffer famine or disease. He also begged that there would be peace, prosperity, and an abundance of fruit, grain, and wine in that place, and that the souls of these people would be saved. The Lord promised to fulfill his request and ascended to heaven, and the soul of the hieromartyr Haralampus followed after Him. By the mercy of God, the saint died before he could be executed. Galina buried the martyr’s body with great honor. Greek hagiography and iconography Saint Haralampus is regarded as a priest, while Russian sources seem to regard him as a bishop.

Rome, 203, Perpetua, Carthage, catechumens, baptized after arrest, visions strengthened them, amphitheatre, wild animals
Africa, North Africa, 203, Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis), catechumens, baptized after arrest, visions from God strengthened them, amphitheatre, lion and bear, wild heifer, leopard, she guided his hand to her throat; Carthage (modern Tunis) ; Martyr Perpetua, a woman of Carthage, Commemorated February 1 ; Holy Martyrs Perpetua, Felicitas and those with them. Vibia Perpetua was from a patrician family, and lived in Carthage. She came to believe in Christ, and was baptized after her arrest as a Christian. A few days later, the twenty-two-year-old woman was taken to prison with her infant son. Arrested with her were her brother Saturus, the servants Felicitas, Revocatus, Saturninus and Secundulus, who were also catechumens. the exhortations of her father, who persistently appealed to her maternal feelings, the widowed Saint Perpetua refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. their execution, Saints Perpetua and Saturus had visions from God, which strengthened their souls. Saint Felicitas, who was eight months pregnant, gave birth to a baby girl while in prison. She rejoiced because now she would be permitted to die with her companions. There was a law forbidding the execution of pregnant women. martyrs were led from the prison into the amphitheatre. Saturninus and Revocatus had to face a leopard and a bear. Saints Perpetua and Felicitas were brought to the arena in nets, and they were pitted against a wild heifer. After being tossed to the ground by the heifer, the two women were led out of the arena. Saturus was bitten by a leopard, but did not die. The martyrs were then led to a certain spot to be killed by the sword. The young gladiator who was to execute Saint Perpetua was inexperienced and did not kill her with the first blow. She herself took his hand and guided it to her throat, and so she received the crown of martyrdom. This occurred in about the year 203. amphitheatre where these saints perished is located a few miles from the city of Tunis. In 1881, a room was discovered opposite the modern entrance into the arena. Some say this was a cell where the victims waited to be brought into the arena.

Rome, 204-254, Church Father Origen, but not saint
Egypt, 204-254, Church Father Origen, but not saint; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17;

Rome, 212-251, Alexander of Jerusalem, Bishop, first C Library at J, beasts refused to eat him, died in prison
Jerusalem Patriarch, 212-251, Alexander of Jerusalem; of Jerusalem (died 251 AD) was a third century bishop who is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Roman Catholic Church. He died during the persecution of Emperor Decius.[1] Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on December 12 ; Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem, was a disciple of the great teacher and writer of the Church, Clement of Alexandria. At the beginning of the third century he was chosen bishop of Flavia, Cappadocia. He was arrested during the reign of the emperor Septimus Severus (193-211) and spent three years in prison. his release from prison he went to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places, and was told to remain there through a divine revelation. In 212 he was chosen as coadministrator with the elderly Patriarch Narcissus, an unusually rare occurrence in the ancient Church. Following the death of Saint Narcissus (August 7), Saint Alexander succeeded him and governed the Church of Jerusalem for thirty-eight years, working for the enlightenment of Christians. He also established the first library of Christian theological works at Jerusalem. Alexander was arrested during the persecution of the Church under the emperor Decius (249-251). The holy martyr was sent to Cappadocia, where he suffered many tortures. He was condemned to be eaten by wild beasts, but they did not harm him. Saint Alexander was cast into prison, where he surrendered his soul to God. hieromartyr Alexander is also commemorated on May 16. St Alexander the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on May 16; story as above--------The Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem, was a disciple of the great teacher and writer of the Church, Clement of Alexandria. the beginning of the third century he was chosen bishop of Flavia, Cappadocia. He was arrested during the reign of the emperor Septimus Severus (193-211) and spent three years in prison. his release from prison he went to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places, and was told to remain there through a divine revelation. 212 he was chosen as coadministrator with the elderly Patriarch Narcissus, an unusually rare occurrence in the ancient Church. the death of Saint Narcissus (August 7), Saint Alexander succeeded him and governed the Church of Jerusalem for thirty-eight years, working for the enlightenment of Christians. He also established the first library of Christian theological works at Jerusalem. Alexander was arrested during the persecution of the Church under the emperor Decius (249-251). The holy martyr was sent to Cappadocia, where he suffered many tortures. He was condemned to be eaten by wild beasts, but they did not harm him. Saint Alexander was cast into prison, where he surrendered his soul to God in the year 251. The hieromartyr Alexander is also commemorated on December 12.

Rome, 217-218, Emperor, Macrinus, equestrian class not senatorial, empty coffers, 3 wars, unrest, overthrown, executed
Rome, 217-218, Emperor, Macrinus; Opellius Macrinus (c. 165 - June 218) was Roman Emperor from April 217 to June 218, reigning jointly with his young son Diadumenianus. a member of the equestrian class, he became the first emperor who did not hail from the senatorial class and also the first emperor who never visited Rome during his reign. becoming emperor, Macrinus served under Emperor Caracalla as a praetorian prefect and dealt with Rome's civil affairs. He later conspired against Caracalla and had him murdered in a bid to protect his own life, succeeding him as emperor. was proclaimed emperor of Rome by 11 April 217 while in the eastern provinces of the empire and was subsequently confirmed as such by the Senate; however, for the duration of his reign, he never had the opportunity to return to Rome. predecessor's policies had left Rome's coffers empty and the empire at war with several kingdoms, including Parthia, Armenia and Dacia. As emperor, Macrinus first attempted to enact reform to bring economic and diplomatic stability to Rome. While Macrinus' diplomatic actions brought about peace with each of the individual kingdoms, the additional monetary costs and subsequent fiscal reforms generated unrest in the Roman military. aunt Julia Maesa took advantage of the unrest and instigated a rebellion to have her fourteen-year-old grandson, Elagabalus, recognized as emperor. Macrinus was overthrown at the Battle of Antioch on 8 June 218 and Elagabalus proclaimed himself emperor with support from the rebelling Roman legions. Macrinus fled the battlefield and tried to reach Rome, but was captured in Chalcedon and later executed in Cappadocia. He sent his son to the care of Artabanus IV of Parthia, but Diadumenianus was also captured before he could reach his destination and executed. After Macrinus' death, the Senate declared him and his son enemies of Rome and had their names struck from the records and their images destroyed.

Rome, 217-269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, an antipope 217-235, and martyr in 269, prolific writer
Rome, 217-269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, an antipope 217-235, and martyr in 269, prolific writer; hieromartyr Hippolytus of Rome was a priest and an ecclesiastical writer of the third century. He is considered to have been antipope of the Church of Rome from about 217 to 235. He was among the most important Christian theologians of the third century, and a saint. His feast day is January 30. early life of Hippolytus is unknown. He was born about the year 170 and lived in Rome when young. Greek was his native tongue. He is believed to have been a disciple of Irenaeus of Lyons and to have met Origen. From the details of his work, Philosophoumena Hippolytus apparently was in Rome during the time Victor was the bishop of Rome. At the beginning of the third century he was a priest noted for his learning, eloquence, zeal, and moral earnestness. He was also noted to be a bishop of an unspecified city by Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome and by the poet Prudentius as bishop of Portus, a port for Rome. Philosophoumena, that is a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", shows that he dissented from the compassionate views of Bps. Zephyrinus, whom he considered to be a weak man "unskilled the church's rule", and ‎Callistus I of Rome concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented. In the "Refutation of All Heresies" Hippolytus set out to refute the doctrines of the Gnostics and condemn heretics by showing that their views were taken from pagan philosophy and oriental theosophy. also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day to such an extant that came to allow himself to be elected a rival bishop of Rome, the first antipope. the persecutions of emperor Maximinus Thrax Hippolytus was exiled to Sardinia in 235 where he died, reportedly a martyr. His body was returned to Rome and interred in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina. By about 255, he was considered a martyred priest by the Church, indicating that he had been reconciled with the Church and not considered a schismatic. Rome, 217-269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, an antipope 217-235, and martyr in 269, prolific writer; of Rome ( c. 170 - c. 235 AD) was one of the most important second-third century Christian theologians, whose provenance, identity and corpus remain elusive to scholars and historians. communities include Palestine, Egypt, Anatolia, Rome and regions of the mideast. best historians of literature in the ancient church, including Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome, openly confess they cannot name where Hippolytus the biblical commentator and theologian served in leadership. They had read his works but did not possess evidence of his community. I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca (cod. 121) as a disciple of Irenaeus, who was said to be a disciple of Polycarp, and from the context of this passage it is supposed that he suggested that Hippolytus so styled himself.[1] This assertion is doubtful.[2] older theory asserts he came into conflict with the popes of his time and seems to have headed a schismatic group as a rival to the bishop of Rome, thus becoming an antipope. In this view, he opposed the Roman Popes who softened the penitential system to accommodate the large number of new pagan converts. However, he was reconciled to the Church before he died as a martyr.[2] in the fourth century, various legends arose about him, identifying him as a priest of the Novatianist schism or as a soldier converted by Saint Lawrence. has also been confused with another martyr of the same name.[2] Pope Pius IV identifies him as "Saint Hippolytus, Bishop of Pontus" who was martyred in the reign of Severus Alexander through his inscription on a statue found at the Church of Saint Lawrence in Rome and kept at the Vatican as photographed and published in Bunsen.[3] is known for certain about his community of origin. One Victorian theory suggested that as a presbyter of the church at Rome under Pope Zephyrinus (199–217 AD), Hippolytus was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. It was at this time that Origen, then a young man, heard him preach.[4][1] this view, Hippolytus accused Pope Zephyrinus of modalism, the heresy which held that the names Father and Son are simply different names for the same subject. Hippolytus championed the Logos doctrine of the Greek apologists, most notably Justin Martyr, which distinguished the Father from the Logos ("Word"). An ethical conservative, he was scandalized when Pope Callixtus I (217–222 AD) extended absolution to Christians who had committed grave sins, such as adultery.[5] suggest Hippolytus himself advocated a pronounced rigorism.[6] At this time, he seems to have allowed himself to be elected as a rival Bishop of Rome, and continued to attack Pope Urban I (222–230 AD) and Pope Pontian (230–235 AD).[2] G. Salmon suggests that Hippolytus was the leader of the Greek-speaking Christians of Rome.[7] Allen Brent sees the development of Roman house-churches into something akin to Greek philosophical schools gathered around a compelling teacher.[8] under this view: during the persecution at the time of Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Hippolytus and Pontian were exiled together in 235 to Sardinia,[9] likely dying in the mines.[7] It is quite probable that, before his death there, he was reconciled to the other party at Rome, for, under Pope Fabian (236–250 AD), his body and that of Pontian were brought to Rome. The so-called Chronography of 354 (more precisely, the Liberian Catalogue) reports that on August 13, probably in 236, the two bodies were interred in Rome, that of Hippolytus in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina,[9] his funeral being conducted by Justin the Confessor. This document indicates that, by about 255, Hippolytus was considered a martyr and gives him the rank of a priest, not of a bishop, an indication that before his death the schismatic was received again into the Church.[2][1] name Hippolytus appears in various hagiographical and martyrological sources of the early Church. The facts about the life of the writer Hippolytus, as opposed to other celebrated Christians who bore the name Hippolytus, were eventually lost in the West, perhaps partly because he wrote in Hellenic Greek. Pope Damasus I dedicated to a Hippolytus one of his famous epigrams,[1] referring to a priest of the Novatianist schism, a view later forwarded by Prudentius in the 5th century in his "Passion of St Hippolytus". In the Passionals of the 7th and 8th centuries he is represented as a soldier converted by Saint Lawrence, a legend that long survived in the Roman Breviary. He was also confused with a martyr of the same name who was buried in Portus, of which city he was believed to have been a bishop,[2] who was put to death by drowning in a deep well.[9] to Prudentius' account, a martyr Hippolytus was dragged to death by wild horses,[10] a striking parallel to the story of the mythological Hippolytus, who was dragged to death by wild horses at Athens. He described the subterranean tomb of the saint and states that he saw there a picture representing Hippolytus' execution. He also confirms August 13 as the date on which a Hippolytus was celebrated but this again refers to the convert of Lawrence, as preserved in the Menaion of the Eastern Orthodox Church. latter account led to a Hippolytus being considered the patron saint of horses. During the Middle Ages, sick horses were brought to St Ippolyts, Hertfordshire, England, where a church is dedicated to him.[11] -Roman sculpture, maybe of Hippolytus, found in 1551 and used for the attribution of the Apostolic Tradition surrounds the corpus of the writer Hippolytus. In the Victorian Era, scholars claimed his principal work to be the Refutation of all Heresies.[2] Of its ten books, Book I was the most important.[5] It was long known and was printed (with the title Philosophumena) among the works of Origen. Books II and III are lost, and Books IV–X were found, without the name of the author,[1] in a monastery of Mount Athos in 1842. E. Miller published them in 1851 under the title Philosophumena, attributing them to Origen of Alexandria. Recent scholarship prefers to treat the text as the work of an unknown author, perhaps of Roman origin. 1551 a marble statue of a seated figure (originally female, perhaps personifying one of the sciences) was purportedly found in the cemetery of the Via Tiburtina and was heavily restored. On the sides of the seat was carved a paschal cycle, and on the back the titles of numerous writings by Hippolytus.[6][1] Many other works are listed by Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome. The research of Guarducci showed the original statue was a representation of a female figure, reopening the question of its original purpose. Allen Brent analyzed the title list of the statue, questioning Hippolytan authorship of some works. voluminous writings, which for variety of subject can be compared with those of Origen, embrace the spheres of exegesis, homiletics, apologetics and polemic, chronography, and ecclesiastical law. The Apostolic Tradition, if it is the work of Hippolytus, recorded the first liturgical reference to the Virgin Mary, as part of the ordination rite of a bishop.[12] exegetical works attributed to Hippolytus, the best preserved are the Commentary on the Prophet Daniel and the Commentary on the Song of Songs.[2] This is the earliest attested Christian interpretation of the Song, covering only the first three chapters to Song 3:7. commentary on the Song of Songs survives in two Georgian manuscripts, a Greek epitome, a Paleo-Slavonic florilegium, and fragments in Armenian and Syriac as well as in many patristic quotations, especially in Ambrose of Milan's Exposition on Psalm 118 (119). It is generally regarded as an instruction relating to a post-Baptismal rite of anointing with oil as a symbol of receiving the Holy Spirit. The commentary was originally written as part of a mystagogy, an instruction for new Christians. Scholars have usually assumed the Commentary On the Song of Songs was originally composed for use during Passover, a season favored in the West for Baptism.[13] Hippolytus supplied his commentary with a fully developed introduction known as the schema isagogicum, indicating his knowledge of the rhetorical conventions for teachers discussing classical works.[14] He employs a common rhetorical trope, ekphrasis, using images on the walls or floors of Greco-Roman homes, and in the catacombs as paintings or mosaics.[15] Origen felt that the Song should be reserved for the spiritually mature and that studying it might be harmful for the novice. generally ascribe to Hippolytus[16] a work now entitled the Apostolic Tradition, which contains the earliest known ritual of ordination.[9] The influence of Hippolytus was felt chiefly through his works on chronography and ecclesiastical law.[1] His chronicle of the world, a compilation embracing the whole period from the creation of the world up to the year 234, formed a basis for many chronographical works both in the East and West.[17][1] It is from the Apostolic Tradition that the current words of episcopal ordination in the Catholic Church come from, as updated by Pope Paul VI. the great compilations of ecclesiastical law that arose in the East since the 3rd century, the Church Orders many canons were attributed to Hippolytus, for example in the Canons of Hippolytus or the Constitutions through Hippolytus. How much of this material is genuinely his, how much of it worked over, and how much of it wrongly attributed to him, can no longer be determined beyond dispute,[1] however a great deal was incorporated into the Fetha Negest, which once served as the constitutional basis of law in Ethiopia — where he is still remembered as Abulides. During the early 20th century the work known as The Egyptian Church Order was identified as the Apostolic Tradition and attributed to Hippolytus; at present this attribution is hotly contested. in style and theology lead some scholars to conclude that some of the works attributed to Hippolytus actually derive from a second author.[2] small but potentially important works, On the Twelve Apostles of Christ and On the Seventy Apostles of Christ, are often neglected because the manuscripts were lost during most of the church age and then found in Greece in the 19th century. . The two are included in an appendix to the works of Hippolytus in the voluminous collection of Early Church Fathers.[18] The work on the 70 apostles is noteworthy as a (potentially) early source. consensus of scholarship agrees on a core of authentic texts composed by the second-third century writer Hippolytus, regardless of disputes concerning his community, or the exact dates of his biography: these are the biblical commentaries, including On Daniel, On David and Goliath, On the Song of Songs (partially extant), On the Blessings of Isaac and Jacob, and On the Antichrist. These form a sound basis for exploring and understanding his theology and biblical doctrines. is an important figure in the development of Christian eschatology. In his biblical compendium and topical study On Christ and the Antichrist and in his Commentary on the Prophet Daniel Hippolytus gave his interpretation of the second advent of Christ.[19] the onset of persecutions during the reign of Septimius Severus, many early Christian writers treated topics of apocalyptic eschatology. On Christ and the Antichrist is one of the earliest works. It is thought Hippolytus was generally influenced by Irenaeus.[20] However, unlike Irenaeus, Hippolytus focuses on the meaning of prophecy for the Church in his own time. Of the dogmatic works, On Christ and the Antichrist survives in a complete state and was probably written about 202. follows the long-established usage in interpreting Daniel's seventy prophetic weeks to be weeks of literal years. Hippolytus gave an explanation of Daniel's paralleling prophecies of chapters 2 and 7, which he, as with the other fathers, specifically relates to the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. His interpretation of events and their significance is Christological.[21] did not subscribe to the belief that the Second Coming was imminent.[22] In his commentary on Daniel he criticizes those who predict the Second Coming in the near future, and then says that six thousand years must pass from Creation before the Second Coming. He also says that Christ was born 5500 years after Adam, so 500 years have to pass from the birth of Christ "to the consummation of the six thousand years, and in this way the end will be".[23] days[edit] the Eastern Orthodox Church, the feast day of St Hippolytus falls on August 13, which is also the Apodosis of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Because on the Apodosis the hymns of the Transfiguration are to be repeated, the feast of St. Hippolytus may be transferred to the day before or to some other convenient day. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast of "St Hippolytus Pope of Rome" on January 30, who may or may not be the same individual. Roman Catholic Church celebrates St Hippolytus jointly with St Pontian on August 13. The feast of Saint Hippolytus formerly celebrated on 22 August as one of the companions of Saint Timotheus was a duplicate of his 13 August feast and for that reason was deleted when the General Roman Calendar was revised in 1969.[24] Earlier editions of the Roman Martyrology referred to the 22 August Hippolytus as Bishop of Porto. The Catholic Encyclopedia sees this as "connected with the confusion regarding the Roman presbyter resulting from the Acts of the Martyrs of Porto. It has not been ascertained whether the memory of the latter was localized at Porto merely in connection with the legend in Prudentius, without further foundation, or whether a person named Hippolytus was really martyred at Porto, and afterwards confounded in legend with Hippolytus of Rome."[6] This opinion is shared by a Benedictine source.[25] editions of the Roman Martyrology also mentioned on 30 January a Hippolytus venerated at Antioch, but the details were borrowed from the story of Hippolytus of Rome.[26] Modern editions of the Martyrology omit mention of this supposed Saint Hippolytus of Antioch. Rome; Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated January 30 ; Hieromartyr Hippolytus, and the Martyrs Censorinus, Sabinus, Chryse the Virgin and 20 others suffered during the third century. Saint Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome, learned of the suffering of the martyrs, he appeared before the governor despite his advanced years and rebuked the torturers for their inhumanity. The enraged governor sentenced the holy bishop to be tortured. After long torments, they tied him hand and foot and threw him into the sea. Censorinus was a high-ranking magistrate during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius II (268-270). He was arrested and thrown into prison for his faith in Christ. By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ he raised up a dead man. As a result, twenty soldiers and prison guards were converted to Christ. They were beheaded with Saint Censorinus. Then the virgin Chryse was brought for interrogation. She bravely confessed herself a Christian and was subjected to torture. They lashed her sides and burned the wounds with candles. Then she was stretched out on the ground and beaten with heavy clubs. Not content with this, they broke her jaw with a rock and her back with leaden balls. Although she was covered with wounds, she confessed her faith as she was dying. So cruel was the brutality of her murderers that they tied a large stone around her neck and threw her into the sea. Chryse was thrown into the deep, but the newly-slain bride emerged from the ocean and entered the heavenly Bridal Chamber. Although her body disappeared into the water, her memory remains eternal and immortal, even more golden than her illustrious name. [FootNote: Chryse means “golden.”] Sabinus was the servant of Saint Chryse. The depraved idolaters beat him mercilessly with heavy leaden balls on his neck, then they hung him up on a tree and burned his entrails. After giving thanks to God, he surrendered his soul to Christ. Saint Chryse suffered the martyrs Ares, Felix, Maximus, Herculianus, Venerius, Stiracius, Mennas, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprus, Theodore the Tribune, Maximus the Presbyter, Archelaus the Deacon, and Cyriacus the Bishop. these Roman martyrs suffered in the year 269. The relics of the Hieromartyr Hippolytus were put in the church of the holy Martyrs Laurence and Pope Damasus at Rome. Saint Hippolytus was a disciple of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyons in France), and he is also renowned as a Christian theologian who wrote many treatises against the heretics. Hyppolitus compiled a Paschal Canon, the famous Apostolic Tradition, “On Christ”, and a “Treatise on the Antichrist.” Saint Hippolytus also wrote many commentaries on Holy Scripture, on the Biblical Books: Genesis, Exodus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and on the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John, and on the Prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, on the Psalms of David and on the Apocalyse. Part of his works are preserved only in fragments. His discourses, devoted to the Theophany and the Prophet Daniel, are preserved in full. His discourses demonstrate his masterful style of preaching. He was one of the last Western Fathers to write in Greek.

Rome, 218-222, Emperor, Elagabalus, extreme eccentricity, decadence, zealotry, and sexual promiscuity, assanated at 18
Rome, 218-222, Emperor, Elagabalus; or Heliogabalus[b] (c. 204 - 11 March 222), officially known as Antoninus, was Roman emperor from 218 to 222, while he was still a teenager. His short reign was conspicuous for sex scandals and religious controversy. A close relative to the Severan dynasty, he came from a prominent Arab family in Emesa (Homs), Syria, where since his early youth he served as head priest of the sun god Elagabal. After the death of his cousin the emperor Caracalla, Elagabalus was raised to the principate at 14 years of age in an army revolt instigated by his grandmother, Julia Maesa, against Caracalla's short-lived successor, Macrinus. As a private citizen, he was probably named Varius Avitus Bassianus. Upon becoming emperor he took the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and only posthumously became known by the Latinised name of his god.[c] historians suggest Elagabalus showed a disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. He replaced the traditional head of the Roman pantheon, Jupiter, with the deity Elagabal, of whom he had been high priest. He forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating this deity, presiding over them in person. He married four women, including a Vestal Virgin, and lavished favours on male courtiers thought to have been his lovers.[4][5] He was also reported to have prostituted himself.[6] His behavior estranged the Praetorian Guard, the Senate, and the common people alike. Amidst growing opposition, at just 18 years of age he was assassinated and replaced by his cousin Severus Alexander in March 222. The assassination plot against Elagabalus was devised by his grandmother, Julia Maesa, and carried out by disaffected members of the Praetorian Guard. developed a reputation among his contemporaries for extreme eccentricity, decadence, zealotry, and sexual promiscuity. This tradition has persisted, and among writers of the early modern age he suffered one of the worst reputations among Roman emperors. Edward Gibbon, for example, wrote that Elagabalus "abandoned himself to the grossest pleasures with ungoverned fury".[7] According to Barthold Georg Niebuhr, "the name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others" because of his "unspeakably disgusting life".[8] An example of a modern historian's assessment is Adrian Goldsworthy's: "Elagabalus was not a tyrant, but he was an incompetent, probably the least able emperor Rome had ever had."[9] Despite universal condemnation of his reign, some scholars do write warmly about him, including 6th century Roman chronicler John Malalas, and Warwick Ball, a modern historian who described him as innovative and "a tragic enigma lost behind centuries of prejudice".[10]

Rome, 218-269, Censorinus, Roman Grammarian and Writer
Rome, 218-269, Roman Grammarian and Writer Censorinus; Roman Anti Pope and Saint, 217-235, Hippolytus; Martyr Concordia of Rome, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Hippolytus of Rome, Commemorated on August 13; Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on January 30;

Rome, 220-230, Celia of Rome, Angel to guard h chasity, fine clothes, hair shirt, husband's b to see t angel, crowns of roses,
Rome, 220-230, Celia of Rome, Angel to guard her chasity, fine clothes, hair shirt, husband's baptism to see the angel, crowns of roses, hearts pure, hearts desire, brother saved, arrested, outside city, maximus the guard baptized, properth already given away, Celia hot house torture, 3 times to behead her, died 3rd day ; Rome; CECILIA OF ROME, MARTYR AT ROME, c. 280, Commemorated November 22; Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and Church music because as she was dying she sang to God. It was long supposed that she was a noble lady of Rome who, with her husband Valerian, his brother Tiburtius, and a Roman soldier Maximus, suffered martyrdom, c. 230, under the Emperor Alexander research of Giovanni Battista de Rossi, however, appears to confirm the statement of Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers (d. 600), that she perished in Sicily under Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 176 and 180. martyrdom of Cecilia is said to have followed that of her husband and his brother by the prefect Turcius Almachius. officers of the prefect then sought to have Cecilia killed as well. At that time, the officials attempted to kill her by boiling her alive. However, the attempt failed, and she was to be beheaded. The executioner attempted to decapitate her three times unsuccessfully, at which time he fled. survived another three days before succumbing. In the last three days of her life, she opened her eyes, gazed at her family and friends who crowded around her cell, closed them, and never opened them again. The people by her cell knew immediately that she was to become a saint in heaven. more at Wikipedia Martyr Cecilia at Rome, Commemorated on November 22 ; Cecilia was born in Rome during the III century to wealthy and illustrious parents, who were idolaters. the Gospel preached, she came to believe in Christ, and vowed to preserve her virginity. her will, however, they betrothed her to a noble pagan named Valerian, and forced her to wear fine clothes and jewelry at all times. these rich garments, she wore a rough hair shirt. with love for her Bridegroom Christ, she entreated Him to prevent the wedding. the day of the marriage arrived, Saint Cecilia wept bitterly and prayed that the Lord would send an Angel to guard her chastity. That night, as they were led to the bridal chamber, she told her husband that an invisible Angel had been sent to defend her virginity. "If you touch me," she said, "he will slay you at once." asked to see this Angel, but she told him, "you cannot see the Angel because you do not know the true God. You will not be able to see the Angel until you are cleansed of the impurity of unbelief." “How may I be cleansed?” he asked. said that if he asked Bishop Urban to baptize him, he would be able to see the Angel. The Saint persuaded her husband to see Bishop Urban, who was hiding from the persecution in a cave along the Appian Way. The wise bishop's instructions filled Valerian's soul with joy, and after his Baptism Bishop Urban sent him home. found Cecilia praying, and saw an Angel of indescribable beauty standing beside her, holding two crowns of red roses and white lilies. Placing the wreaths on their heads he said, "Guard these wreaths by keeping your hearts pure and your bodies undefiled. I have brought them from Paradise, and no one can see them unless they, like you, are lovers of chastity. God sent me to you, Valerian, because you have agreed to preserve your purity. He wants you to have what you desire." said, "No one is dearer to me than my brother Tiburtius. I ask the Lord to deliver him from the worship of idols, and convert him, as he converted me." Angel said that this request was pleasing to God, and would be granted. He also revealed that Valerian and Tiburtius would suffer martyrdom together. Soon after this, Tiburtius came to visit his brother. When he entered the house, he noticed the fragrance of roses and lilies. Valerian told him that he was able to smell the flowers because he had prayed that Tiburtius would come to love God and become worthy of an unfading crown. I dreaming," Tiburtius exclaimed, "or are you really telling me this?" answered, "Until now, we have been living as if in a dream, worshiping false 'gods' and unclean demons. Now we walk in God's truth and grace." receiving instruction, Tiburtius was baptized by Bishop Urban. Then the brothers distributed part of their inheritance to the poor, took care of the sick, and buried the Christians who had been tortured to death by their persecutors. was reported to Almachius, the Eparch of the city, who ordered that the brothers be arrested and brought to trial. He ordered the Saints to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the pagan "gods," but the brothers refused. Then they scourged the brothers without mercy. Saint Valerian urged the Christians not to fear torments, but to stand firm for Christ. order to prevent the brothers from influencing the people, Almachius ordered that the martyrs be taken outside the city and executed there. soldiers accompanying the martyrs to execution were commanded by Maximus. He was amazed at the courage of the Saints, and asked them why they did not fear death. The holy brothers said that they were exchanging this temporal life for everlasting life. Maximus wanted to learn Christian teaching in detail. He took Saints Valerian and Tiburtius to his own house and conversed with them all night. she heard of this, Saint Cecilia went with a priest to Maximus. Then he and his entire family were baptized. next day, when the Martyrs Valerian and Tiburtius were beheaded, Saint Maximus confessed before everyone that he saw their holy souls being taken up to Heaven. Because of this, the holy Martyr Maximus was beaten to death. Eparch wanted to confiscate the property of those who had been executed, but when he was told that Saint Cecilia had already given her remaining wealth to the poor and had converted 400 men, he ordered her execution. three days they tormented her in an overheated bath-house, with the heat and steam, but she was helped by the grace of God. that Saint Cecilia was still alive, they decided to behead her. The executioner struck her three times with a sword, but only wounded her. The holy Martyr lived three more days in full consciousness, encouraging those around her. Finally, she surrendered her soul to God, and her body was buried with reverence. Cecilia is regarded as the patron Saint of Church music. St. John Chrysostom extols the benefits of sacred music, and shows how strongly the fire of divine love is kindled in the soul by devout psalmody. (On Psalm 41). Holy Relics of Saints Valerian and Tiburtius are in the Roman Catholic Basilica of Saints Valerian and Cecilia in Rome.

Rome, 220-258, Cyprian, Saint, writer, true life, apostles faith, virtue foundation of Love
Africa, North Africa, 220-258, Saint, Cyprian; Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31; Saint Cyprian was finally baptized, he wrote in the Treatise To Donatus: “When the water of regeneration cleansed the impurity of my former life, a light from on high shone into my heart... and the Spirit transformed me into a new man by a second birth. Then at once, in a miraculous manner, certainty replaced doubt, mysteries were revealed, and darkness became light.... Then it was possible to acknowledge that what was born of the flesh and lived for sin was earthly, but what the Holy Spirit had vivified began to be of God.... In God and from God is all our strength.... Through Him we, while living upon the earth, have a hint of future bliss.” Hieromartyr Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, was born in about the year 200 in the city of Carthage (Northern Africa), where all his life and work took place. Thascius Cyprianus was the son of a rich pagan senator, and received a fine secular education becoming a splendid orator, and a teacher of rhetoric and philosophy in the school of Carthage. He often appeared in the courts to defend his fellow citizens. afterwards recalled that for a long time “he remained in a deep dark mist.., far from the light of Truth.” His fortune, received from his parents and from his work, was spent on sumptuous banquets, but they were not able to quench in him the thirst for truth. He became acquainted with the writings of the Apologist Tertullian, and became convinced of the truth of Christianity. The holy bishop later wrote that he thought it was impossible for him to attain to the regeneration promised by the Savior, because of his habits. was helped by his friend and guide, the presbyter Cecilius, who assured him of the power of God’s grace. At 46 years of age the studious pagan was received into the Christian community as a catechumen. Before accepting Baptism, he distributed his property to the poor and moved into the house of the presbyter Cecilius. Saint Cyprian was finally baptized, he wrote in the Treatise To Donatus: “When the water of regeneration cleansed the impurity of my former life, a light from on high shone into my heart... and the Spirit transformed me into a new man by a second birth. Then at once, in a miraculous manner, certainty replaced doubt, mysteries were revealed, and darkness became light.... Then it was possible to acknowledge that what was born of the flesh and lived for sin was earthly, but what the Holy Spirit had vivified began to be of God.... In God and from God is all our strength.... Through Him we, while living upon the earth, have a hint of future bliss.” years after his Baptism, the saint was ordained to the priesthood. When Bishop Donatus of Carthage died, Saint Cyprian was unanimously chosen as bishop. He gave his consent, having complied with his guide’s request, and was consecrated Bishop of Carthage in the year 248. saint first of all concerned himself about the welfare of the Church and the eradication of vices among the clergy and flock. The saintly life of the archpastor evoked in everyone a desire to imitate his piety, humility and wisdom. The fruitful activity of Saint Cyprian became known beyond the bounds of his diocese. Bishops from other sees often turned to him for advice on how to deal with various matters. persecution by the emperor Decius (249-251), revealed to the saint in a vision, forced him to go into hiding. His life was necessary to his flock for the strengthening of faith and courage among the persecuted. Before his departure from his diocese, the saint distributed the church funds among all the clergy for the aid of the needy, and in addition he sent further funds. kept in constant touch with the Carthaginian Christians through his epistles, and he wrote letters to presbyters, confessors and martyrs. Some Christians, broken by torture, offered sacrifice to the pagan gods. These lapsed Christians appealed to the confessors, asking to give them what is called a letter of reconciliation, i.e. a certificate for accepting them back into the Church. Saint Cyprian wrote a general letter to all the Carthaginian Christians, stating that those who lapsed during a time of persecution might be admitted into the Church, but this must be preceded by an investigation of the circumstances under which the falling away came about. It was necessary to determine the sincerity of contrition of the lapsed. To admit them was possible only after penance, and with the permission of the bishop. Some of the lapsed insistently demanded their immediate re-admittance into the Church and caused unrest in the whole community. Saint Cyprian wrote the bishops of other dioceses asking their opinion, and from all he received full approval of his directives. his absence the saint authorized four priests to examine the lives of persons preparing for ordination to the priesthood and the deaconate. This met with resistance from the layman Felicissimus and the presbyter Novatus, roused to indignation against their bishop. Saint Cyprian excommunicated Felicissimus and six of his followers. In his letter to the flock, the saint touchingly admonished all not to separate themselves from the unity of the Church, to be subject to the lawful commands of the bishop and to await his return. This letter kept the majority of Carthaginian Christians faithful to the Church. a short while, Saint Cyprian returned to his flock. The insubordination of Felicissimus was put to an end at a local Council in the year 251. This Council decreed that it was possible to receive the lapsed back into the Church after a penance, and it affirmed the excommunication of Felicissimus. this time there occurred a new schism, led by the Roman presbyter Novatian, and joined by the Carthaginian presbyter Novatus, a former adherent of Felicissimus. Novatian asserted that those who lapsed during a time of persecution could not be readmitted, even if they repented of their sin. Besides this, Novatian with the help of Novatus convinced three Italian bishops during the lifetime of the lawful Roman bishop Celerinus to place another bishop on the Roman cathedra. Against such iniquity, Saint Cyprian wrote a series of encyclicals to the African bishops, and later a whole book, On the Unity of the Church. the discord in the Carthage church began to quiet down, a new calamity began: a pestilential plague flared up. Hundreds of people fled from the city, leaving the sick without help, and the dead without burial. Saint Cyprian, providing an example by his firmness and his courage, tended the sick and buried the dead himself, not only Christians but also pagans. The plague was accompanied by drought and famine. A horde of barbarian Numidians, taking advantage of the misfortune, fell upon the inhabitants, taking many into captivity. Saint Cyprian moved many rich Carthaginians to offer up means for feeding the starving and ransoming captives. a new persecution against Christians spread under the emperor Valerian (253-259), the Carthaginian proconsul Paternus ordered the saint to offer sacrifice to idols. He steadfastly refused to do this. He also refused to give the names and addresses of the presbyters of the church of Carthage. They sent the saint to the city of Curubis, and Deacon Pontus voluntarily followed his bishop into exile. the day the saint arrived at the place of exile he had a vision, predicting for him a quick martyr’s end. While in exile, Saint Cyprian wrote many letters and books. Desiring to suffer at Carthage, he returned there. Taken before the court, he was set at liberty until the following year. Nearly all the Christians of Carthage came to take leave of their bishop and receive his blessing. the trial, Saint Cyprian calmly and firmly refused to offer sacrifice to idols and was sentenced to beheading with a sword. Hearing the sentence, Saint Cyprian said, “Thanks be to God!” All the people cried out with one voice, “Let us also be beheaded with him!” to the place of execution, the saint again gave his blessing to all and arranged to give twenty-five gold coins to the executioner. He then tied a handkerchief over his eyes, and gave his hands to be bound to the presbyter and archdeacon standing near him and lowered his head. Christians put their cloths and napkins in front of him so as to collect the martyr’s blood. Saint Cyprian was executed in the year 258. The body of the saint was taken by night and given burial in a private crypt of the procurator Macrobius Candidianus. say that his holy relics were transferred to France in the time of King Charles the Great (i.e. Charlemagne, 771-814). Cyprian of Carthage left the Church a precious legacy: his writings and 80 letters. The works of Saint Cyprian were accepted by the Church as a model of Orthodox confession and read at two Ecumenical Councils (Ephesus and Chalcedon). the writings of Saint Cyprian the Orthodox teaching about the Church is stated: It has its foundation upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and was proclaimed and built up by the Apostles. The inner unity is expressed in an unity of faith and love, and the outer unity is actualized by the hierarchy and sacraments of the Church. the Church Christ comprises all the fulness of life and salvation. Those having separated themselves from the unity of the Church do not have true life in themselves. Christian love is shown as the bond that holds the Church together. “Love is the foundation of all the virtues, and it continues with us eternally in the Heavenly Kingdom.”

Rome, 220-258, Novatian, Theologian, Navatianism, refused readmission to communion
Roman Theologian, 220-258, Novatian ; (c. 200–258) was a scholar, priest, and theologian. He is considered by the Catholic Church to have been an antipope between 251 and 258.[1] Some Greek authors give his name as Novatus,[2] who was an African presbyter. was a noted theologian and writer, the first Roman theologian who used the Latin language, at a time when there was much debate about how to deal with Christians who had lapsed and wished to return, and the issue of penance. Consecrated as pope by three bishops in 251, he adopted a more rigorous position than the established Pope Cornelius. Novatian was shortly afterwards excommunicated: the schismatic church which he established persisted for several centuries (see Novatianism). Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 220-258, Denis or Dionysius, patron saint of France
Paris, 220-258, Denis or Dionysius, patron saint of France Hieromartyr Dionysius of Paris, Bishop. Commemorated on October 9; Dionysius (or Denis) has, for many centuries, been regarded as the patron saint of France. is believed that Saint Dionysius was sent to preach the Gospel at Lutetia Parisiorum (modern Paris) in Gaul around 250. He was beheaded in 258 with the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius at Montmartre (Hill of the Martyrs). A later legend claims that Saint Dionysius carried his severed head from Montmartre to his burial place at Vicus Catulliacus, now known as Saint Denis. The abbey of Saint-Denis, where French kings were interred, was built on the site of their martyrdom. identification of this Saint Dionysius with Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3) appears to be an error made by a ninth century writer.

Rome, 220-264, Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, Cathetical School, writer
Egypt, 220-264, Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria; Egypt, 245-339, Saint Paul the Simple; Egypt, 271-356, Saint Anthony the Great; Egyptian Patriarch, 325-395, Paphnutius the Ascetic; Venerable Ammon, Commemorated on October 4; Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt, Commemorated on October 4; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 5; Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, was the son of wealthy pagan parents. He converted to Christianity at a mature age, and became a pupil of Origen. Later, he was appointed as the head of Alexandria’s Catechetical School, and then became Bishop of Alexandria in the year 247. Dionysius devoted much effort to defend the Church from heresy, and he encouraged his flock in the firm confession of Orthodoxy during the persecution under the emperors Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259). holy bishop endured much suffering in his lifetime. When the Decian persecution broke out, Saint Dionysius was forced to flee Alexandria, but returned when the Emperor died. He was later exiled to Libya during the reign of Valerian. he was able to resume his duties in Alexandria in 261, Saint Dionysius had to contend with civil war, famine, plague, and other difficulties. The saint called upon his flock to tend sick Christians and pagans alike, and to bury the dead. Concerning the death of his spiritual children he wrote, “In such a manner the best of our brethren have departed this life. This generation of the dead, a deed of great piety and firm faith, is no less of a martyrdom.” Dionysius illumined his flock through his preaching, and with deeds of love and charity. An illness prevented him from attending the Council of Antioch (264- 265), and he fell asleep in the Lord while it was in session. influence of Saint Dionysius extended beyond the limits of his diocese, and his writings dealt with practical as well as theological subjects (“On Nature,” “On Temptations,” “On the Promises,” etc.). He was also familiar with Greek philosophy. Only fragments of his writings survive today, most of them preserved in Eusebius, who mentions him in his CHURCH HISTORY ( Book 7) and calls him “Dionysius the Great.” complete letters of Saint Dionysius are extant, one addressed to Novatian, and the other to Basilides. St John of Egypt,Commemorated on December 2;

Rome, 222-235, Emperor, Severus Alexander, pagan, prosperous r, rising Persians and Germans, diplomacy killed him
Roman Emperor, 222-235, Severus Alexander; Aurelius Severus Alexander (1 October 208 - 19 March 235) was Roman emperor from 222 to 235, and the last from the Severan dynasty. was the heir to his cousin, the 18-year-old Emperor Elagabalus. The latter had been murdered along with his mother Julia Soaemias, by his own guards, who, as a mark of contempt, had their remains cast into the Tiber river.[2] and his cousin were both grandsons of Julia Maesa, sister of empress Julia Domna, who had arranged for Elagabalus' acclamation as emperor by the Third Gallic Legion. was the rumor of Alexander's death that triggered the assassination of Elagabalus and his mother.[3] 13-year reign was the longest reign of a sole emperor since Antoninus Pius.[4] He was also the second-youngest ever sole legal Roman emperor during the existence of the united empire, the youngest being Gordian III. peacetime reign was prosperous. Rome was militarily confronted with the rising Sassanid Empire and growing incursions from the tribes of Germania. He managed to check the threat of the Sassanids. But when campaigning against Germanic tribes, Alexander attempted to bring peace by engaging in diplomacy and bribery. alienated many in the Roman Army, leading to a conspiracy that resulted in the assassination of Alexander, his mother Julia Avita Mamaea, and his advisors. ------------------------------------------------After their deaths, the accession of Maximinus Thrax followed. death marked the epoch event for the Crisis of the Third Century—nearly 50 years of civil wars, foreign invasion, and collapse of the monetary economy. 1 Early reign 2 Domestic achievements 3 Persian War 4 Military discipline 5 Germanic War 6 Death 7 Legacy 8 Personal life 9 Ancestry 10 See also 11 References 12 Bibliography 12.1 Primary 12.2 Secondary 13 External links reign[edit] future emperor Severus Alexander was born on 1 October 208 in Arca Caesarea, Phoenicia.[5] Of his birth name, only two cognomina are known, from literary sources: Bassianus (Greek: Î’Î±ÏƒÏƒÎ¹Î±Î½ÏŒÏ‚) according to the historian Cassius Dio, and Alexianus (Greek: Î‘Î»ÎµÎ¾Î¹Î±Î½ÏŒÏ‚) according to Herodian. It seems likely that Bassianus was his family name, since several of his relatives were also called as such, and Alexianus his actual given name, which was later converted to Alexander.[6] historian Cassius Dio thought Alexianus was the son of Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus, but Icks disputes this, saying the latter could not have married the emperor's mother before 212 and that Alexianus must've been fathered by his mother's first husband, who is of unknown name but of certain existence.[7] Alexander became emperor when he was around 14 years old, making him the youngest emperor in Rome's history, until the ascension of Gordian III. Alexander's grandmother Maesa believed that he had more potential to rule and gain support from the Praetorian Guard than her other grandson, the increasingly unpopular emperor Elagabalus.[8] Thus, to preserve her own position, she had Elagabalus adopt the young Alexander and then arranged for Elagabalus' assassination, securing the throne for Alexander.[9] The Roman army hailed Alexander as emperor on 13 March 222, immediately conferring on him the titles of Augustus, pater patriae and pontifex maximus.[10] his life, Alexander relied heavily on guidance from his grandmother, Maesa, before her death in 224, and mother, Julia Mamaea.[11] As a young, immature, and inexperienced adolescent, Alexander knew little about government, warcraft, or the role of ruling over an empire. In time, however, the army came to admire what Jasper Burns refers to as "his simple virtues and moderate behavior, so different from [Elagabalus]".[12] achievements[edit] of Alexander Severus, Louvre. the influence of his mother, Alexander did much to improve the morals and condition of the people, and to enhance the dignity of the state.[13] He employed noted jurists, such as Ulpian, to oversee the administration of justice.[citation needed] His advisers were men like the senator and historian Cassius Dio, and it is claimed that he created a select board of 16 senators,[14] although this claim is disputed.[15] He also created a municipal council of 14 who assisted the urban prefect in administering the affairs of the 14 districts of Rome.[16] Excessive luxury and extravagance at the imperial court were diminished,[17] and he restored the Baths of Nero in 227 or 229; consequently, they are sometimes also known as the Baths of Alexander after him. his accession he reduced the silver purity of the denarius from 46.5% to 43%—the actual silver weight dropped from 1.41 grams to 1.30 grams; however, in 229 he revalued the denarius, increasing the silver purity and weight to 45% and 1.46 grams. The following year he decreased the amount of base metal in the denarius while adding more silver, raising the silver purity and weight again to 50.5% and 1.50 grams.[18] Additionally, during his reign taxes were lightened; literature, art and science were encouraged;[19] and, for the convenience of the people, loan offices were instituted for lending money at a moderate rate of interest.[20] religious matters, Alexander preserved an open mind. According to the Historia Augusta, he wished to erect a temple to Jesus but was dissuaded by the pagan priests; however, this claim is deemed unreliable due to the book's many untrustworthy information and falsifications.[21][22] He allowed a synagogue to be built in Rome, and he gave as a gift to this synagogue a scroll of the Torah known as the Severus Scroll.[23] legal matters, Alexander did much to aid the rights of his soldiers. He confirmed that soldiers could name anyone as heirs in their will, whereas civilians had strict restrictions over who could become heirs or receive a legacy.[24] He also confirmed that soldiers could free their slaves in their wills,[25] protected the rights of soldiers to their property when they were on campaign,[26] and reasserted that a soldier's property acquired in or because of military service (his castrense peculium) could be claimed by no one else, not even the soldier's father.[27] War[edit] the whole, Alexander's reign was prosperous until the rise of the Sassanids[28] under Ardashir I.[29] In 231 AD, Ardeshir invaded the Roman provinces of the east, overrunning Mesopotamia and penetrating possibly as far as Syria and Cappadocia, forcing from the young Alexander a vigorous response.[30] Of the war that followed there are various accounts. According to the most detailed authority, Herodian, the Roman armies suffered a number of humiliating setbacks and defeats,[31] while according to the Historia Augusta[32] as well as Alexander's own dispatch to the Roman Senate, he gained great victories.[33] Making Antioch his base, he organized in 233 a three-fold invasion of the Sassanian Empire; at the head of the main body he himself advanced to recapture northern Mesopotamia, while another army invaded Media through the mountains of Armenia, and a third advanced from the south in the direction of Babylon. The northernmost army gained some success, fighting in mountainous territory favorable to the Roman infantry, but the southern army was surrounded and destroyed by Ardashir's skilful horse-archers, and Alexander himself retreated after an indecisive campaign, his army wracked by indiscipline and disease.[34][35] Further losses were incurred by the retreating northern army in the inclement cold of Armenia as it retired into winter quarters, due to an incompetent failure to establish adequate supply lines.[36][37] Still, Mesopotamia was retaken, and Ardashir was not thereafter able to extend his conquests, though his son, Shapur, would obtain some success later in the century.[38] the Sassanids were checked for the time,[33] the conduct of the Roman army showed an extraordinary lack of discipline. In 232, there was a mutiny in the Syrian legion, which proclaimed Taurinus emperor.[39] Alexander managed to suppress the uprising, and Taurinus drowned while attempting to flee across the Euphrates.[40] The emperor returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph in 233.[33] discipline[edit] ALEXANDER PIVS AVG. ALEXANDER PIVS AVG. of Severus Alexander reign was also characterized by a significant breakdown of military discipline.[41] In 228, the Praetorian Guard murdered their prefect, Ulpian,[41] in Alexander's presence. Alexander could not openly punish the ringleader of the riot, and instead removed him to nominal post of honor in Egypt and then Crete, where he was "quietly put out of the way" sometime after the excitement had abated.[42] The soldiers then fought a three-day battle against the populace of Rome, and this battle ended after several parts of the city were set on fire.[43] was among those who gave a highly critical account of military discipline during the time, saying that the soldiers would rather just surrender to the enemy.[43] Different reasons are given for this issue; Campbell points to the decline in the prestige of the Severan dynasty, the feeble nature of Alexander himself, who appeared to be no soldier and to be completely dominated by his mother's advice, and lack of real military success at a time during which the empire was coming under increasing pressure."[ 43] on the other hand, was convinced that "the emperor's miserliness (partly the result of his mother's greed) and slowness to bestow donatives" were instrumental in the fall of military discipline under Alexander.[43] War[edit] the Persian war, Alexander returned to Antioch with Origen, one of the Fathers of the Christian Church. Alexander's mother, Julia Mamaea, asked for Origen to tutor Alexander in Christianity.[44] Alexander was being educated in the Christian doctrines, the northern portion of his empire was being invaded by Germanic and Sarmatian tribes. A new and menacing enemy started to emerge directly after Alexander's success in the Persian war. In 234, the barbarians crossed the Rhine and Danube in hordes that caused alarm as far as Rome. The soldiers serving under Alexander, already demoralized after their costly war against the Persians, were further discontented with their emperor when their homes were destroyed by the barbarian invaders.[45] word of the invasion spread, the emperor took the front line and went to battle against the Germanic invaders. The Romans prepared heavily for the war, building a fleet to carry the entire army across. However, at this point in Alexander's career, he still knew little about being a general. Because of this, he hoped the mere threat of his armies would be sufficient to persuade the hostile tribes to surrender.[46] Severus enforced a strict military discipline in his men that sparked a rebellion among his legions.[47] Due to incurring heavy losses against the Persians, and on the advice of his mother, Alexander attempted to buy the Germanic tribes off, so as to gain time.[48] was this decision that resulted in the legionaries looking down upon Alexander. They considered him dishonorable and feared he was unfit to be Emperor. Under these circumstances the army swiftly looked to replace Alexander.[49] Iulius Verus Maximinus was the next best option. He was a soldier from Thrace who had a golden reputation and was working hard to increase his military status.[47] He was also a man with superior personal strength, who rose to his present position from a peasant background. With the Thracian's hailing came the end of the Severan Dynasty,[50] and, with the growing animosity of Severus' army towards him, the path for his assassination was paved. was forced to face his German enemies in the early months of 235. By the time he and his mother arrived, the situation had settled, and so his mother convinced him that to avoid violence, trying to bribe the German army to surrender was the more sensible course of action.[citation needed] According to historians, it was this tactic combined with insubordination from his own men that destroyed his reputation and popularity. Pusillanimity was responsible for the revolt of Alexander's army, resulting in Severus falling victim to the swords of his own men,[51] following the nomination of Maximinus as emperor. was assassinated on 19 March 235, together with his mother, in a mutiny of the Legio XXII Primigenia at Moguntiacum (Mainz) while at a meeting with his generals.[52] These assassinations secured the throne for Maximinus.[13] documents two theories that elaborate on Severus's assassination. The first claims that the disaffection of Mamaea was the main motive behind the homicide. However, Lampridius makes it clear that he is more supportive of an alternative theory, that Alexander was murdered in Sicilia (located in Britain).[53] theory has it that, in an open tent after his lunch, Alexander was consulting with his insubordinate troops, who compared him to his cousin Elagabalus, the divisive and unpopular Emperor whose own assassination paved the way for Alexander's reign. A German servant entered the tent and initiated the call for Alexander's assassination, at which point many of the troops joined in the attack. Alexander's attendants fought against the other troops but could not hold off the combined might of those seeking the Emperor's assassination. Within minutes, Alexander was dead. His mother Julia Mamaea was in the same tent with Alexander and soon fell victim to the same group of assassins.[51] ’s body was buried together with the body of his mother Julia Manaea in a mausoleum in Rome. The actual mausoleum, called Monte di Grano, is the third in size in Rome after the ones of Hadrian and of Augustus. It is still visible in Piazza dei Tribuni, in the Quadraro area in Rome, where it resembles a large earth mound. The large sarcophagus found inside the tomb in the 16th century, and which contained the emperor’s remains, is in the Palazzo dei Conservatori Museum in Rome. According to some sources inside the same sarcophagus in 1582 a precious glass urn was found, the Portland Vase, currently on display at the British Museum in London. Martyr Pontius, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr Theodota at Nicea, Commemorated on September 17 ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; CECILIA OF ROME, MARTYR AT ROME, c. 280, Commemorated November 22; Martyr Cecilia at Rome, Commemorated on November 22; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Tatiana of Rome, and those who suffered with Her, Commemorated on January 12; Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated on January 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on January 30; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 227-303, Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, great story, animals speaking and more
Syria, 227-303, Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, animals speaking and prophecising, very old, destroyed pagan temple gods, Patricius healed but thought by witchcraft, Artémon followed by six wild donkeys and two deer by Word of Christ, eagle angels throw P caldron burning pitch; Laodicea in Syria; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Hieromartyr Artémon was born of Christian parents in Laodίkeia, Syria in the III century. his youth, he devoted himself to the service of the Church, and was a Reader for sixteen years. For his zeal, Bishop Sisίnnius ordained him as a Deacon. Saint Artémon also carried out this service with fervor and diligence for twenty-eight years, then he was ordained to the priesthood. In that position, Saint Artémon served the Church of God for another thirty-three years, preaching Christianity among pagans. Emperor Diocletian (reigned 284-305) began his fierce persecution of the Church, issuing an edict ordering Christians to offer sacrifice to the idols, Saint Artémon was already quite old. of the impending arrival of the military commander Patricius at Laodίkeia, Saint Sisίnnius went with the priest Artémon and some other Christians into the temple of the "goddess" Artemis. There they smashed and burned the idols, reducing them all to dust. Saint Sisίnnius and Saint Artémon gathered the flock into the church and fervently exhorted the Christians to remain firm in the Faith, and not to fear the threats of torturers. he arrived in Laodίkeia, Patricius celebrated a five-day festival in honor of the pagan "gods," and then entered the temple of Artemis to offer sacrifice. When he was told who had destroyed the temple, he went with a detachment of soldiers to the church where the Christians were praying. he approached the church, Patricius suddenly felt a chill, and then developed a fever, which left him scarcely alive. He was carried him home and put to bed. “The Christians have put a curse on me, and their God torments me,” he said to those around him. Although Patricius prayed to the idols, they did not relieve his sufferings. sent a messenger to Bishop Sisίnnius, asking for his help, and promised to set up a gold statue of that Hierarch in the middle of the city. The Saint replied, “Keep your gold, but if you believe in Christ, He will heal you.” was afraid of death, so he declared that he believed in Christ, and the affliction left him. But even this miracle did not affect the obdurate pagan's soul. Although he did not raise a hand against Bishop Sisίnnius, he did enforce the imperial edict against other Christians in the city of Caesarea. the way he encountered Saint Artémon, who was followed by six wild donkeys and two deer. Patricius asked how he was able to control these wild beasts, Saint Artémon replied that he held them with the Word of Christ. learned from the idolaters that it was Artémon who had destroyed the pagan temple of Artemis, so he ordered that Artémon be arrested and taken to the city of Caesarea. The Saint went with the soldiers without fear, but he told the animals to go to Saint Sisίnnius. Seeing the animals, Bishop Sisίnnius asked, “Why have these animals come here?” doe received the gift of speech from God and said, “The servant of God Artémon is being held by the impious Patricius, and is being brought to Caesarea in chains. He commanded us to come here to give you this news.” not be astonished that the Lord, Who opened the mouth of Balaam’s ass (Numbers 22:28), also permitted the doe to speak. The Bishop sent Deacon Phileas to Caesarea to verify what he had been told. Caesarea, Patricius brought Saint Artémon to trial and tried to force him to offer sacrifice in the temple of Asclepius. In that pagan temple there were many poisonous vipers. The pagan priest never opened the doors, nor did he place the sacrifice before the idol. Saint Artémon, calling on the Name of Jesus Christ, went into the temple and drove the snakes out. The pagans fled, but the Saint stopped them and killed the snakes by his breath. Vitalius, one of the pagan priests, believed in Christ and asked Saint Artémon to baptize him. thought that Saint Artémon killed the snakes by sorcery, and again he interrogated and tortured him. the doe which had spoken arrived at Caesarea. She lay down at the Martyr's feet, licking his wounds. By God’s command the doe spoke again, denouncing the impious pagans. Addressing Patricius, the doe predicted that he would be seized by two birds of prey, and dropped into a cauldron of burning pitch. was enraged because he had been censured by a wild beast. He commanded his soldiers to shoot the doe with arrows, but she escaped. that the miracles performed by Saint Artémon would attract more people to him, Patricius ordered his execution. enormous cauldron was filled with boiling pitch, and the soldiers intended to throw Saint Artémon into it. But when Patricius rode up to the cauldron on horseback to see if the pitch was indeed boiling, two Angels in the form of eagles seized him and dropped him into the cauldron. His body was consumed so that not a single bone remained, but Saint Artémon survived. this miracle, everyone ran away except Saint Artémon, who blessed and glorified God. When the Saint finished his prayer, a spring of water gushed forth from the ground. Saint Artémon baptized the pagan priest Vitalius and many pagans, who had come to believe in Christ. On the following morning, Saint Artémon communed the newly-baptized with the Holy Mysteries. Many of the baptized were ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood, and Vitalius was made Bishop of Palestine. Bishop of Caesarea came to visit Saint Artémon, noting the place where he had suffered. Subsequently, a church was built on that site. by God's voice, Saint Artémon preached the Gospel in Asia Minor. Then an Angel appeared and transported him to the place which had been revealed to him, and there he converted many to Christ. The pagans arrested the Saint and beheaded him († 303). the Roman Martyrology, Saint Artémon is listed under October 8, while in Greek usage he is commemorated on April 12. Artémon the Presbyter of Laodίkeia should not be confused with Saint Artémon the Bishop of Seleukeia (March 24).

Rome, 233-270, Gregory Thaumaturgus, the Wonderworker of Cappadocia, not the illuminator
Cappadocia, 233-270, Gregory Thaumaturgus, the Wonderworker ; St. Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1;

Rome, 233-270, St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, from John the Thelogian, Symbol of Faith Mystery, Foundational
Armenia, 233-270, St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught, demonic woman story, back to N, wilderness, gifts, L willed otherwise, absent ordination, acceptance, heresy, John t T, Symbol of Faith Mystery, Foundational Neocaesarea; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) into a pagan family. received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian. the continuation of his studies Saint Gregory went to Alexandria, known then as a center for pagan and Christian learning. The youth, eager for knowledge, went to the Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great strength of mind and profound knowledge. Saint Gregory became a student of Origen. Afterwards, the saint wrote about his mentor: “This man received from God a sublime gift, to be an interpreter of the Word of God for people, to apprehend the Word of God, as God Himself did use it, and to explain it to people, insofar as they were able to understand it.” Saint Gregory studied for eight years with Origen, and was baptized by him. ascetic life of Saint Gregory, his continence, purity and lack of covetousness aroused envy among his conceited and sin-loving peers, pagans that they were, and they decided to slander Saint Gregory. when he was conversing with philosophers and teachers in the city square, a notorious harlot came up to him and demanded payment for the sin he had supposedly committed with her. At first Saint Gregory gently remonstrated with her, saying that she perhaps mistook him for someone else. But the profligate woman would not be quieted. He then asked a friend to give her the money. as the woman took the unjust payment, she immediately fell to the ground in a demonic fit, and the fraud became evident. Saint Gregory said a prayer over her, and the devil left her. This was the beginning of Saint Gregory’s miracles. returned to Neocaesarea, the saint fled from the worldly affairs into which influential townsmen persistently sought to push him. He went into the desert, where by fasting and prayer he attained to high spiritual accomplishment and the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. Saint Gregory loved life in the wilderness and wanted to remain in solitude until the end of his days, but the Lord willed otherwise. bishop of the Cappadocian city of Amasea, Thedimos, having learned of Saint Gregory’s ascetic life, decided to have him made Bishop of Neocaesarea. having foreseen in spirit the intent of Bishop Thedimos, the saint hid himself from the messengers of the bishop who were entrusted to find him. Then Bishop Thedimos ordained the absent saint as Bishop of Neocaesarea, beseeching the Lord that He Himself would sanctify the unusual ordination. Gregory perceived the extraordinary event as a manifestation of the will of God and he did not dare to protest. This episode in the life of Saint Gregory was recorded by Saint Gregory of Nyssa (January 10). He relates that Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea received the episcopal dignity only after Bishop Thedimos of Amasea performed all the canonical rites over him. this time, the heresy of Sabellius and Paul of Samosata began to spread. They taught falsely concerning the Holy Trinity. Saint Gregory prayed fervently and diligently imploring God and His most pure Mother to reveal to him the true faith. All-Holy Virgin Mary appeared to him, radiant like the sun, and with Her was the Apostle John the Theologian dressed in archepiscopal vestments. the command of the Mother of God, the Apostle John taught the saint how to correctly and properly confess the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Gregory wrote down everything that Saint John the Theologian revealed to him. Mystery of the Symbol of the Faith, written down by Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea, is a great divine revelation in the history of the Church. teaching about the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Theology is based on it. it was used by the holy Fathers of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of Nyssa. Symbol of Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea was later examined and affirmed in the year 325 by the First Ecumenical Council, showing his enduring significance for Orthodoxy. become a bishop, Saint Gregory set off to Neocaesarea. Along the way from Amasea he expelled devils from a pagan temple, the priest of which he converted to Christ. The convert was witness to still another miracle of the saint, at his word a large stone shifted from its place. preaching of the saint was direct, lively and fruitful. He taught and worked miracles in the name of Christ: he healed the sick, he helped the needy, he settled quarrels and complaints. Two brothers sharing an inheritance were not able to agree over the property of their dead father. There was a large lake over which they argued, for each of the brothers wanted the lake for himself. They both gathered their friends together, and were ready to come to blows. Saint Gregory persuaded them to delay their fight until the following day, and he himself prayed all night long at the shore of the lake which sparked the quarrel. When dawn broke, everyone saw that the lake had dried up or gone underground. Through the intense prayer of the saint, now there was only a stream, and its course defined the boundary line. Another time, during the construction of a church, he commanded a hill to move and make room at the place of the foundation. a persecution against Christians began under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Gregory led his flock to a faraway mountain. A certain pagan, knowing about the hiding place of the Christians, informed the persecutors. Soldiers surrounded the mountain. The saint went out into an open place, raised up his hands to heaven and ordered to his deacon to do the same. The soldiers searched the whole mountain, and they went several times right past those praying, but not seeing them, they gave up and went away. In the city they reported that there was nowhere to hide on the mountain: no one was there, and only two trees stood beside each other. The informer was struck with amazement, he repented of his ways and became a fervent Christian. Gregory returned to Neocaesarea after the end of the persecution. By his blessing church Feasts were established in honor of the martyrs who had suffered for Christ. his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased the number of converts to Christ. When Saint Gregory first ascended his cathedra, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea. At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city.

Rome, 235-238, Emperor, Maximinus Thrax, impious Maximnus, barracs emperor, year of 6 emperors
Roman Emperor, 235-238, Maximinus Thrax; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr Pontius, Commemorated on August 5; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250); Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated on January 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 235-236, Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, martyr
Roman Pope, 235-236, Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5; Antherus was elected Bishop of Rome in place of Saint Pontian, and he too soon accepted suffering and death for Christ in the year 236. FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250);

Rome, 235-305, Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna, commanded by visions, doors open, idols destroyed, beheaded at 95
Crete, 235-305, Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna, Crete, in prison heard voice commanding go to Rome, doors open, idols destroyed, vision on road, Philoxenos said two crowns, hierarch and martyr, preached in Rome until persecution, to Jerusalem, vision to crete, bishop at C at age 60, age 95 beheaded; Crete, 174-251, Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna, Crete, Chief City of Crete, 50 yr, refused idol w, flames did not touch, set free, continued preaching, sought & rejoiced martyrdom; Gortyna; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, Commemorated on July 9 ; Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna, was bishop at Gortyna on the island of Crete for 50 years. He suffered either under the emperor Decius (249-251), or according to other historical sources, the emperor Maximian (284-305). to trial before a governor named Lucius, who demanded that he offer sacrifice to idols, the holy Elder steadfastly confessed his faith in Christ and refused to fulfill the soul-destroying command. The governor sentenced Saint Cyril to burning, but the flames did not touch him. Seeing this miracle, many pagans came to believe in Christ. Lucius himself offered up praise to the Christian God and set the saint free. Cyril continued with his preaching and led many pagans to Christ, but also he grieved that he had not been allowed to suffer for the Savior. It was reported to the governor that Saint Cyril would not cease his preaching, and that he continued to convert people from the darkness of paganism to the light of Christ. Hearing the sentence against him, Saint Cyril rejoiced that he was to be granted a martyr’s death for Truth, and the 84-year-old Elder willingly placed his head beneath the sword. Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna, Commemorated September 6 ; Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna, lived during the time of the emperor Diocletian and his co-emperor Maximian (284-305). As a Christian he was brought to trial before the governor Agrippina and after interrogation he was thrown into prison. One night the saint heard a voice commanding him to go to Rome. the morning the doors of the prison were open, and the idols overthrown and destroyed. On the road to Rome Saint Cyril had a vision: Saint Philoxenos appeared and said that he would receive two crowns, one of a hierarch and the other of a martyr. Rome, Saint Cyril rendered great help to the Church by his preaching. When a persecution against Christians started up, Saint Cyril went to Jerusalem to encourage the Christians living there. Along the way he had a vision and received a command not to neglect Crete. he arrived there, Saint Cyril was chosen bishop of the city of Gortyna. He was then 60 years of age. Still on the episcopal throne of Gortyna at age 95, Saint Cyril was brought to trial at the start of a new persecution against Christians and sentenced to death. He was beheaded with the sword in the vicinity of Raukos at the beginning of the fourth century. Cyril is commemorated on June 14 on the Greek calendar.

Rome, 236-250, Pope and Saint Fabian, chosen by a dove, good choice, first Decius martyrs
Rome, 236-250, Pope and Saint Fabian, chosen by a dove, good choice, first Decius martyrs; Fabian was the bishop of Rome from 10 January 236 to his death on 20 January 250,[4] succeeding Anterus. A dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.[5] He was succeeded by Cornelius. of his papacy was characterized by amicable relations with the imperial government, and the schism between the Roman congregations of Pontian and Hippolytus was ended. He divided Rome into diaconates and appointed secretaries to collect the records of the martyrs. He sent out seven "apostles to the Gauls" as missionaries, but probably did not baptize Emperor Philip the Arab as is alleged. He died a martyr at the beginning of the Decian persecution and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.[4][5] FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250); was Bishop of Rome for 14 years. He organized the city of Rome into parishes and appointed scribes to record the lives of the martyrs for posterity. the Emperor Decius began a persecution of Christians, probably the first one to be waged simultaneously in all parts of the Empire, Fabian was one of the first to be put to death, setting a courageous example for others. His tombstone, with the inscription dimly visible, can still be seen at Rome. by James Kiefer the death of Pope Saint Antherus in 236, a council was convened in Rome to elect his successor. the crowd was Fabian (Fabianus), a layman from another part of Italy (it is not known where). to the historian Eusebius, a dove flew into the building and landed on Fabian's head. The people immediately interpreted this to be an omen, and unanimously acclaimed Fabian their new pope. He turned out to be an excellent leader. He organized the parochial (parish) structure of the Church that is in use to this day. He developed the custom and rites of veneration of the martyrs buried in the catacombs, and appointed fourteen scholars to record the lives of the martyrs, so that they would not be forgotten in future years. In 239 the Emperor Decius instituted a persecution of Christians. This was the first persecution to be waged throughout the entire Empire instead of just locally. Fabian was captured and brutally executed. The courage with which he went to his death was an inspiration to thousands who followed him in martyrdom. His broken tombstone in Rome still exists, and three words on it are still barely legible; "Fabian ... bishop ... martyr." by Fr. Rick Losch

Rome, 238-244, Emperor, Gordian III, Christian, because Tryphon delivered his daughter
Roman Emperor, 238-244, Gordian III ; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated on July 30; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5 ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Eutropia of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 30; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250); Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated on January 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Tryphon of Campsada Near Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 1; Martyr Nikon in Sicily, Commemorated on March 23; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Heliconis of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 28 ;

Rome, 238-250, Tryphon, Lampsakos, Troy, deliverence power, healing, plague of locusts, evil spirit Emperor Gordian's daughter
Troy, 238-250, Tryphon, Lampsakos, Troy, deliverence power, healing, plague of locusts, evil spirit Emperor Gordian's daughter, confessed, tortures, clubs, iron hooks, fire, foot nails, no complaints, died right before beheading; Lampsakos; Lampsacus ; Martyr Tryphon of Campsada Near Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 1 ; Martyr Tryphon was born in Phrygia, one of the districts of Asia Minor, in the village of Lampsacus. From his early years the Lord granted him the power to cast out demons and to heal various maladies. He once saved the inhabitants of his native city from starvation. Saint Tryphon, by the power of his prayer, turned back a plague of locusts that were devouring the grain and devastating the fields. Tryphon gained particular fame by casting out an evil spirit from the daughter of the Roman emperor Gordian (238-244). Helping everyone in distress, he asked only one thing from them: faith in Jesus Christ, by Whose grace he healed them. the emperor Decius (249-251) assumed the imperial throne, he began a fierce persecution of Christians. Someone reported to the commander Aquilinus that Saint Tryphon was boldly preaching faith in Christ, and that he led many to Baptism. The saint was arrested and subjected to interrogation, during which he fearlessly confessed his faith. was subjected to harsh tortures: they beat him with clubs, raked his body with iron hooks, they scorched his flesh with fire, and led him through the city, after iron nails were hammered into his feet. Saint Tryphon bravely endured all the torments without complaint. he was condemned to beheading with a sword. The holy martyr prayed before his execution, thanking God for strengthening him in his sufferings. He also asked the Lord to bless those who should call upon his name for help. Just as the soldiers raised the sword over the head of the holy martyr, he surrendered his soul into the hands of God. This event occurred in the city of Nicea in the year 250. wrapped the holy body of the martyr in a clean shroud and wanted to bury him in the city of Nicea, where he suffered, but Saint Tryphon in a vision commanded them to take his body to his native land to the village of Lampsacus. Later on, the relics of Saint Tryphon were transferred to Constantinople, and then to Rome. Russia, Saint Tryphon is regarded as the patron saint of birds. There is a story that when Tsar Ivan the Terrible was out hunting, his falconer carelessly allowed the Tsar’s favorite falcon to fly away. The Tsar ordered the falconer Tryphon Patrikeiev to find the bird within three days, or else he would be put to death. Tryphon searched all through the forest, but without luck. the third day, exhausted by long searching, he returned to Moscow to the place called Marinaya Grove. Overcome with weariness, he lay down to rest, fervently praying to his patron saint, the Martyr Tryphon, for help. a dream he saw a youth on a white horse, holding the Tsar’s falcon on his hand. The youth said, “Take the lost bird, go to the Tsar and do not grieve.” When he awakened, the falconer actually spotted the falcon on a pine tree. He took it to the Tsar and told him about the miraculous help he received from the holy Martyr Tryphon. Grateful to Saint Tryphon for saving his life, Tryphon Patrikeiev built a chapel on the spot where the saint appeared. Later on, he also built a church dedicated to the holy Martyr Tryphon in Moscow. holy martyr is greatly venerated in the Russian Orthodox Church as the heavenly protector of Moscow. Many Russian icons depict the saint holding a falcon on his arm.

Rome, 243, Battle of Resaena, Romans defeat Persians, take Babylon
Rome, 243, Battle of Resaena, Romans defeat Persians; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated on July 30;

Rome, 244-249, Emperor, Philip the Arab, Christian
Roman Emperor, 244-249, Philip the Arab; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated on July 30; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5; Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Eutropia of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 31; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250); Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated on January 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Tryphon of Campsada Near Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 1; Martyr Nikon in Sicily, Commemorated on March 23; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Heliconis of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 28 ;

Rome, 249-250, Saint Christopher, miracles, strength, vow serve greatest king, served Satan, he feared Christ, sought Christ
Lycia, 249-250, Saint Christopher, miracles, worldwide veneration, Italy, contagious diseases, cannanites or dogheads of thessaly, stature, strength, hansome, Lord gave him uasttractive face, named Reprobate, denounced christian persecution, beaten endured humbly, 200 soldiers assigned to bring him, submitted, along the way dry stick blossomed, loaves of bread multiplied, soldiers astonished, vow to serve greatest king, local king feared devis, served Satan, devil feared Christ, sought Christ, by task best suited, ferryman, child across stream, heavy, sins of world, Christ, 2 profligrate women converted to Christ, martyred, 200 martyred, red hot metal box, unharmed, beheaded, 250, 50,000 pagans converted, relics to spain and france; Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina, Commemorated on May 9; Holy Martyr Christopher lived during the third century and suffered about the year 250, during the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251). There are various accounts of his life and miracles, and he is widely venerated throughout the world. Saint Christopher is especially venerated in Italy, where people pray to him in times of contagious diseases. are various suggestions about his descent. Some historians believe that he was descended from the Canaanites, while others say from the “Cynoscephalai” [literally “dog-heads”] of Thessaly. Christopher was a man of great stature and unusual strength. According to tradition, Saint Christopher was very handsome, but wishing to avoid temptation for himself and others, he asked the Lord to give him an unattractive face, which was done. Before Baptism he was named Reprebus [Reprobate] because his disfigured appearance. Even before Baptism, Reprebus confessed his faith in Christ and denounced those who persecuted Christians. Consequently, a certain Bacchus gave him a beating, which he endured with humility. of his renowned strength, 200 soldiers were assigned to bring him before the emperor Decius. Reprebus submitted without resistance. Several miracles occurred along the way; a dry stick blossomed in the saint’s hand, loaves of bread were multiplied through his prayers, and the travellers had no lack thereof. This is similar to the multiplication of loaves in the wilderness by the Savior. The soldiers surrounding Reprebus were astonished at these miracles. They came to believe in Christ and they were baptized along with Reprebus by Saint Babylus of Antioch (September 4). once made a vow to serve the greatest king in the world, so he first offered to serve the local king. Seeing that the king feared the devil, Christopher thought he would leave the king to serve Satan. Learning that the devil feared Christ, Christopher went in search of Him. Saint Babylas of Antioch told him that he could best serve Christ by doing well the task for which he was best suited. Therefore, he became a ferryman, carrying people across a river on his shoulders. One stormy night, Christopher carried a Child Who insisted on being taken across at that very moment. With every step Christopher took, the Child seemed to become heavier. Halfway across the stream, Christopher felt that his strength would give out, and that he and the Child would be drowned in the river. As they reached the other side, the Child told him that he had just carried all the sins of the world on his shoulders. Then He ordered Christopher to plant his walking stick in the ground. As he did so, the stick grew into a giant tree. Then he recognized Christ, the King Whom he had vowed to serve. Christopher was brought before the emperor, who tried to make him renounce Christ, not by force but by cunning. He summoned two profligate women, Callinika and Aquilina, and commanded them to persuade Christopher to deny Christ, and to offer sacrifice to idols. Instead, the women were converted to Christ by Saint Christopher. When they returned to the emperor, they declared themselves to be Christians. Therefore, they were subjected to fierce beatings, and so they received the crown of martyrdom. also sentenced to execution the soldiers who had been sent after Saint Christopher, but who now believed in Christ. The emperor ordered that the martyr be thrown into a red-hot metal box. Saint Christopher, however, did not experience any suffering and he remained unharmed. After many fierce torments they finally beheaded the martyr with a sword. This occurred in the year 250 in Lycia. By his miracles the holy Martyr Christopher converted as many as 50,000 pagans to Christ, as Saint Ambrose of Milan testifies. The relics of Saint Christopher were later transferred to Toledo (Spain), and still later to the abbey of Saint Denis in France. Greece, many churches place the icon of Saint Christopher at the entrance so that people can see it as they enter and leave the building. There is a rhyming couplet in Greek which says, “When you see Christopher, you can walk in safety.” This reflects the belief that whoever gazes upon the icon of Saint Christopher will not meet with sudden or accidental death that day. name Christopher means “Christ-bearer.” This can refer to the saint carrying the Savior across the river, and it may also refer to Saint Christopher bearing Christ within himself (Galatians 2:20).

Rome, 249-251, Emperor, Decius, Pagan, revered by troups, k by goths
Roman Emperor, 249-251, Decius ; Decius (atin: Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius; c. 201 -June 251) was Roman emperor from 249 to 251. A distinguished politician during the reign of Philip the Arab, Decius was proclaimed emperor by his troops after putting down a rebellion in Moesia. In 249, he defeated and killed Philip near Verona and was recognized as emperor by the Senate afterwards. During his reign, he attempted to strengthen the Roman state and its religion, leading to the Decian persecution, where a number of prominent Christians (including Pope Fabian) were put to death. In the last year of his reign, Decius co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus, until they were both killed by the Goths in the Battle of Abritus. Martyr Apollonius of Sardis, Commemorated on July 10; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated July 30 ; 7 Holy Youths "Seven Sleepers" of Ephesus, Commemorated August 4; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5 ; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; Martyr Hippolytus of Rome, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Myron the Presbyter of Cyzicus, Commemorated on August 17; Martyr Thyrsus at Caesarea, in Bithynia, Commemorated August 17 ; Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31 ; Martyr Cyriacus and 11 others at Alexandria, Commemorated September 6 ; St Coronatus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 12 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR (15 SEP 258) ; Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt, Commemorated on October 4; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 5 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius of Paris, Bishop, Commemorated on October 9; Martyr Carpus at Pergamum, Commemorated on October 13 ; 7 Holy Youths "œSeven Sleepers"Â of Ephesus, Commemorated on October 22; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium, Commemorated on October 28; Martyr Anastasia the Roman, Commemorated on October 29; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Martyr Eutropia of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 31; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; Martyr Menignus at Parium, Commemorated on November 22; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24; Martyr Paramon in Bithynia, Commemorated on November 29; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on December 12; Martyr Thyrsus of Apollonia, Commemorated on December 14; Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 21; 10 Holy Martyrs of Crete, Commemorated on December 23; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9; Venerable Pansophius of Alexandria, the Martyr, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; FABIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250); St Fructuosis of Tarragona, Spain, Commemorated on January 21; Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated on January 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Victorinus of Egypt, Commemorated on January 31; Martyr Tryphon of Campsada Near Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 1; Martyr Blaise of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on February 3; Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily, Commemorated on February 5; Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily, Commemorated on February 5; Virginmartyr Apollonia, Commemorated on February 9; Martyr Julian of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 27 ; Hieromartyr Nestor the Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia, Commemorated on February 28; Martyr Julian of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 27 ; Hieromartyr Nestor the Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia, Commemorated on February 28 ; Martyr Nestor, Commemorated on March 1 ; Martyr Troadius of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on March 2 ; Virginmartyr Euthalia of Sicily, Commemorated on March 2 ; Martyr Conon the Gardener of Pamphylia, Commemorated on March 5; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; Hieromartyr Pionius of Smyrna and those with him, Commemorated on March 11; Translation of the relics of the Martyr Epimachus of Pelusium, Commemorated on March 11; Martyr Nikon in Sicily, Commemorated on March 23; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Terence and 40 others beheaded at Carthage, Commemorated on April 10; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Adrian of Corinth, Commemorated on April 17; Martyr Callinike of Lycia, Commemorated on May 9; Martyr Christopher of Lycia, Commemorated on May 9; Martyr Philadelphus and 18 others in Sicily, Commemorated on May 10; Martyr Peter of Ancyra, who suffered under Decius, Commemorated on May 18; Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra, who suffered under Decius, Commemorated on May 18; Virginmartyr Christina of Ancyra, who suffered under Decius, Commemorated on May 18; Martyr Philosophus at Alexandria, Commemorated on May 31 ; Martyrs of Niculitsel, Commemorated on June 4; Venerable Anubius the Confessor and Anchorite of Egypt, Commemorated on June 5; St Alban the Protomartyr of Britain, Commemorated on June 22; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, Commemorated on July 9 ;

Rome, 249-251, 10 Martyrs of Crete, refused to worship idols, with god, persevered cruel tortures, beheaded
Crete, 249-251, 10 Martyrs of Crete, refused to worship idols, with god, persevered cruel tortures, beheaded; Crete; 10 Holy Martyrs of Crete, Commemorated on December 23 ; Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete: Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus suffered for Christ during the third century under the emperor Decius (249-251). governor of Crete, also named Decius, fiercely persecuted the Church, and arrested anyone who believed in Christ. Once, ten Christians were brought before him from various cities of Crete, who at the trial steadfastly confessed their faith in Christ and refused to worship idols. thirty days they were subjected to cruel tortures, and with the help of God they all persevered, glorifying God. their death they prayed that the Lord would enlighten their torturers with the light of the true Faith. Since pain did not influence them, the saints were beheaded. Paul of Constantinople (November 6) visited Crete about a hundred years later. He took the relics of the holy martyrs to Constantinople to serve as a protection for the city, and a source of blessings for the faithful.

Rome, 249-251, Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus, Apollonia, Bithynia, ridiculed those who worship wood, toppled Apollo
Bithynia, 249-251, Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus, Apollonia, Bithynia, ridiculed those who worship wood, toppled Apollo; Martyr Thyrsus of Apollonia, Commemorated December 14 ; Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus suffered for Christ under the emperor Decius (249-251) at Caesarea in Bithynia. Leucius, having reproached the prefect Cumbricius for his unjust persecution of Christians, was executed after being tortured. Thyrsus, who was still a catechumen, was nonetheless eager for martyrdom. He was sentenced to cruel tortures and torments after refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols. Citing the words of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 2:27), he ridiculed those who worshiped wood and stone. saint’s arms and legs were pulled out of their sockets, his eyes were plucked out, and his teeth were shattered with a hammer. was taken to a heathen temple, where, by his prayers, he toppled a statue of Apollo. was enraged by this, and he ordered that greater torments be devised for the athlete of Christ. He endured them all and died peacefully after making the Sign of the Cross. pagan priest Callinicus, seeing the bravery and the miracle involving Saint Thyrsus, believed in Christ and boldly confessed the true Faith, for which he was beheaded.

Rome, 249-251, Myrope of Chios, Myrrhr f Hermione's grave in Ephesus, r Isidore's body, midnight prayer, d light, I w angels
Ephesus, 249-251, Myrope of Chios, Myrrhr f Hermione's grave in Ephesus, r Isidore's body, guards sentenced, her confession, fierce beating, midnight prayer, d light, I w angels, M d, sweet fragrance, guard's report to priest confession and martyrdom; City of Chios; Martyr Myrope of Chios, Commemorated on December 2 ; Holy Martyr Myrope was born in the city of Ephesus at the beginning of the third century. She lost her father at an early age, and her mother raised her in the Christian Faith. Myrope frequently visited the grave of the Martyr Hermione (September 4), daughter of the holy Apostle Philip, took myrrh from her relics, and healed the sick with it. the persecution by Decius (249-251), Myrope went with her mother to the island of Chios, where they spent their time in fasting and prayer. by order of the cruel governor of the island, the soldier Isidore (May 14), a man of deep faith and great piety, was martyred. Saint Myrope secretly removed the body of the martyr and buried it. soldiers, who had been ordered not to allow the Christians to take Isidore’s body, were sentenced to death. Myrope took pity on the condemned, and she told the soldiers and then the governor what she had done. the trial she confessed herself a Christian. For this they gave her a fierce beating and then threw her in prison. midnight, while she was praying, a light shone in the prison. Saint Isidore appeared surrounded by angels, and Saint Myrope surrendered her soul to God. The prison was immediately filled with a sweet fragrance. pagan guard, trembling at the vision, told this to a priest. Later, he accepted Baptism and a martyric death for his confession of Christ.

Rome, 249-251, Monastic Martyr Anastasia, great ascetic, very beautiful, horrible tortures, Angel, animals
Rome, 249-251, Monastic Martyr Anastasia; Roman Emperor, 249-251, Decius ; Martyr Anastasia the Roman, Commemorated on October 29; Monastic Martyr Anastasia the Roman lost her parents when she was three years old, was taken to be raised by the Igoumeness of a women’s monastery, whose name was Sophia, a nun who had attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. She raised Anastasia in fervent faith, in the fear of God, and obedience. After seventeen years, Anastasia became known as a great ascetic, and she was very beautiful. Emperor Decius (249-251) began his persecution of Christians at that time. The city administrator, Probus, following the Emperor's orders, commanded that Anastasia be brought to him. by her Igoumeness to suffer for Christ, the young martyr Anastasia went out to meet the armed soldiers. Seeing her youth and beauty, Probus first tried flattery to make her deny Christ. “Why do you waste your youth deprived of pleasure?" he asked. "What is to be gained by enduring tortures and death for the Crucified? Worship our gods, marry a handsome husband, and live with glory and honor.” Saint Anastasia stood before the ruler, her mind stood before Christ, and with her spiritual eyes, she beheld the comeliness of her Bridegroom. Saint replied, “My spouse, my riches, my life and my happiness are my Lord Jesus Christ, and you cannot turn me away from Him by your deceit!” had her stripped of her clothing, in order to humiliate her. She told him, "You can have me whipped, beaten, and cut to pieces, and then my nakedness will be hidden by my wounds, and my blood will cover my shame." subjected Anastasia to horrible tortures. The holy martyr bravely endured all of them, glorifying and praising God. When she became thirsty she asked for some water, and a Christian named Cyril gave her a drink. She thanked him, but Probus had him beheaded. her tormentors cut off her breasts and ripped out her tongue, while an Angel held her upright. When the people witnessed the inhuman and disgusting treatment the Saint received, they became indignant, and Probus was forced to end the tortures by having her beheaded. In this manner, Saint Anastasia received the unfading crown of martyrdom. Anastasia's body was thrown outside the city limits to be eaten by wild animals, but the Lord did not permit her holy relics to be dishonored. By the instructions of a holy Angel, Igoumeness Sophia found Saint Anastasia’s mutilated body. With the help of two Christians, she buried it in the earth. Anastasia the Roman should not be confused with Saint Anastasia Pharmakolytria, who is commemorated on December 22.

Rome, 249-259, Polyeuktos1, first Melitene martyr, Armenia, tore up Decius' edict, trampled idols, baptized in his blood
Armenia, 249-259, Polyeuktos1, Melitene, Armenia, first martyred there, tore up Decius' edict, trampled idols underfoot, baptized in his blood; Malatya; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; Polyeuktos1 was the first to be martyred for Christ in the Armenian city of Melitene. was a soldier during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251), and he later suffered martyrdom in the reign of Valerian (253-259). was a friend of Nearkhos a fellow-soldier and a firm Christian. Polyeuktos, however, although he led a virtuous life, he remained a pagan. the persecution against Christians began, Nearkhos said to Polyeuktos, Friend, soon we shall be separated, for they will take me to torture, and you, alas, will renounce your friendship with me. told him that he had seen Christ in a dream. The Savior took his soiled military cloak from him and dressed him in a radiant garment. Now, he said, I am prepared to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. with zeal, Saint Polyeuktos went to the city square, and tore up the edict of Decius which required everyone to worship the idols. few moments later, he met a procession carrying twelve idols through the streets of the city. Dashing the idols to the ground, he trampled them underfoot. father-in-law, the magistrate Felix, who was responsible for enforcing the imperial edict, was horrified at what Saint Polyeuktos had done and advised him to obey the imperial edict. told him that we must obey God rather than men. declared that Polyeuktos must die for this. Go then, bid farewell to your wife and children, he said. Paulina wept and urged her husband to renounce Christ. Felix also wept, but Saint Polyeuktos remained steadfast in his resolve to suffer for Christ. his head beneath the executioner's sword, he was baptized in his own blood. the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, when the Church of Christ had triumphed throughout the Roman Empire, a church was built at Melitene in honor of Saint Polyeuktos. Many miracles were worked through his intercession. In that same church, the parents of Saint Euthymios the Great (January 20) prayed fervently for a son. The birth of this great luminary of Orthodoxy occurred in the year 376, through the prayers of the Holy Martyr Polyeuktos. Polyeuktos was also venerated by Saint Akakios, the Bishop of Melitene (March 31), who participated in the Third Ecumenical Council, and was a great proponent of Orthodoxy. In the East, as well as in the West, the Holy Martyr Polyeuktos is venerated as the patron Saint of vows and treaties. Polyeucte Overture of French composer Paul Dukas is only one of many pieces of classical music inspired by the Saints. It premiered in January of 1892. The French dramatist Pierre Corneille has also written a play, Polyeucte (1642), based on the Martyr’s life. The name Polyeuktos means much-desired.

Rome, 250, Seven Sleepers, 250-450, wealthy, m belts, hid in cave, entrance sealed, sleep, owner resurection
Ephesus, 250, Seven Sleepers; 7 Holy Youths œSeven Sleepers of Ephesus, Commemorated on August 4; Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together. the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ. military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom. youngest of them, Saint Iamblicus, dressed as a beggar and went into the city to buy bread. On one of his excursions into the city, he heard that the emperor had returned and was looking for them. Saint Maximilian urged his companions to come out of the cave and present themselves for trial. where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the entrance of the cave be sealed with stones so that the saints would perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the seven youths and the details of their suffering and death. Lord placed the youths into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two centuries. In the meantime, the persecutions against Christians had ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450) there were heretics who denied that there would be a general resurrection of the dead at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, “How can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?” Others affirmed, “The souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust would not remain.” Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven saints. owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had passed. Their bodies and clothing were completely undecayed. to accept torture, the youths once again asked Saint Iamblicus to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, the youth was astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his own city. he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained, as someone who might be concealing a horde of old money. They took Saint Iamblicus to the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus. Hearing the bewildering answers of the young man, the bishop perceived that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with other people to the cave. the entrance to the cave the bishop found the sealed container and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the saints alive, everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from their long sleep, was demonstrating to the Church the mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead. the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the young men in the cave. Then the holy youths, in sight of everyone, lay their heads upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General Resurrection. emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a jeweled coffin, but they appeared to him in a dream and said that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics of the seven youths in the cave. is a second commemoration of the seven youths on October 22. According to one tradition, which entered into the Russian Prologue (of Saints’ Lives), the youths fell asleep for the second time on this day. The Greek Menaion of 1870 says that they first fell asleep on August 4, and woke up on October 22. is a prayer of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Great Book of Needs (Trebnik) for those who are ill and cannot sleep. The Seven Sleepers are also mentioned in the service for the Church New Year, September 1.

Rome, 250, Epimachus of Pelusium, Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, drop of his blood healed woman's eye
Egypt, 250, Epimachus of Pelusium, Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria; Pelusium; Venerable Isidore of Pelusium, Commemorated February 4 ; Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 31 ; Holy Martyr Epimachus of Alexandria was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mount Peleusium. During a persecution against Christians at Alexandria (about the year 250), Saint Epimachus in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed Christ. For this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman who was blind in one eye. A drop of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. fierce tortures, the saint was beheaded by the sword. Epimachus is also commemorated on March 11. Translation of the relics of the Martyr Epimachus of Pelusium, Commemorated on March 11; Venerable Bessarion the Wonderworker of Egypt, Commemorated on June 6; Venerable Paisius the Great, Commemorated on June 19;

Rome, 250, Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Mt Peleusium, came to city, destroyed idols and confessed
Egypt, 30-1st Century, Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria; Alexandria; Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 31 ; Holy Martyr Epimachus of Alexandria was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mount Peleusium. a persecution against Christians at Alexandria (about the year 250), Saint Epimachus in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed Christ. this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman who was blind in one eye. A drop of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. fierce tortures, the saint was beheaded by the sword. Epimachus is also commemorated on March 11.

Rome, 250 3rd Century, Marinus of Rome, Martyr, soldier, being promoted to centurion, refused to sacrifice to idols
Palestine, 250 3rd Century, Marinus of Rome, Martyr, soldier, being promoted to centurion, refused to sacrifice to idols; Caesarea, Palestine ; Martyr Marinus of Rome, Commemorated December 16 ; Martyr Marinus was a soldier who suffered in Caesarea of Palestine in the third century. he was about to be promoted to centurion, he refused to swear the customary oath invoking the pagan gods, or to offer sacrifice to idols. Saint Marinus was beheaded after cruel tortures, and buried by Saint Asterius (August 7).

Rome, 250 3rd Century, Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium, celibate, confessor, torment, to the bone, miraculously healed, martyr
Lyconia, 250, Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium; Iconium; Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium, Commemorated on October 28 ; Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium, lived during the third century in a rich and pious family. The parents of the saint especially reverenced Friday, the day of the Passion of the Lord, and therefore they called their daughter Paraskeva. This name, Paraskeva, also means Friday. Paraskeva with all her heart loved purity and the loftiness of the virginal life, and she took a vow of celibacy. She wanted to devote all her life to God and to enlighten pagans with the light of Christ. of her confession of the Orthodox Faith, the pagans in a frenzy seized her and brought her to the city prefect. They demanded that she offer unholy sacrifice to the pagan idols. With a steady heart, and trusting on God, the saint refused this demand. For this she underwent great torments: after stripping her, they tied her to a tree and beat her with rods. Then the torturers raked her pure body with iron claws. Finally, they threw her into prison, exhausted by the torture and lacerated to the bone. But God did not forsake the holy sufferer, and miraculously healed her wounds. Not heeding this divine miracle, the executioners continued with their torture of Saint Paraskevḗ, and finally, they cut off her head. Paraskeva has always enjoyed a special love and veneration among the Orthodox people. Many pious customs and observances are associated with her. In the ancient Russian accounts of the Saints’ Lives, the name of the Great Martyr is inscribed as: Saint Paraskeva, also called Piatnitsa (in Russian: Friday). Churches dedicated to Saint Paraskeva in antiquity were given the name Piatnitsa. Small wayside chapels in Rus received the name Piatnitsa. The simple Russian people called the Martyr Paraskeva variously Piatnitsa, Piatina, Petka. of Saint Paraskeva were especially venerated and embellished by the faithful. Russian iconographers usually depicted the martyr as an austere ascetic, tall of stature, with a radiant crown upon her head. Icons of the saint guard pious and happy households. By Church belief, Saint Paraskevḗ is protectress of fields and cattle. Therefore, on her Feastday it was the custom to bring fruit to church to be blessed. These blessed objects were kept until the following year. Moreover, Saint Paraskeva is invoked for protection of cattle from disease. She is also a healer of people from grievous illness of both body and soul.

Rome, 250 3rd Century, Dorostolum, chosen to imitate and die as Saturn, he rejected indulgence, and confessed Christ
Bulgaria, 250 or 3rd Century, Dorostolum, Bulgaria, chosen to imitate and die as Saturn, he rejected the indulgence, immoral pleasures, and confessed Christ, many saved, he tortured cruelly and beheaded; Dorostolum (Dorostorum); Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated November 20 ; Holy Martyr Dasius lived during the third century in the city of Dorostorum on the Danube River. inhabitants of the city were preparing for a festival in honor of the pagan god Saturn. custom, thirty days before the celebration they selected a handsome youth, dressed him in fine clothing, accorded him royal honors, and he would go forth in public made up like Saturn. thirty days, he would indulge in wicked deeds and immoral pleasures. On the day of the feast he was brought before the idols and put to the sword as a sacrifice to Saturn. choice of his compatriots fell upon Saint Dasius, since in the city there was not a more handsome youth. of this, the saint said, “If I am fated to die, then it’s better to die for Christ as a Christian.” He openly confessed his faith in Christ before his fellow citizens and refused to take part in the shameful ritual. He denounced the impiety and error of the idolaters and converted many of them to Christ. on the orders of the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311), he was beheaded after cruel tortures.

Rome, 250 3rd Century, Barbara and Juliana at Heliopolis, B's Bathhouse, trinity of light, traced cross miraculously etched
Syria, 250 3rd Century, Barbara and Juliana at Heliopolis, in Syria, tower, pagan teachers, beauty, first cause questions, idols human hands w, not able to make, desire to know god life' goal, virginity, fame her beauty, refused marriage, warned father of split, permitted freedom, christian maidens, priest disguised merchant, baptism, Barbara's bathhouse, trinity of light, traced cross, miraculously etched, footprints too, healing water, many B miracles, father's rage, escape, hill opens up, crevice, shepherds, torture, Jesus, Juliana's sympathetic loud voice, torture, angel c nakedness w robe, beheaded by f and perfect, both killed by lightning; Barbara, known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Lebanese and Greek saint and martyr. Accounts place her in the 3rd century in Heliopolis Phoenicia, present-day Baalbek, Lebanon.[1][2] There is no reference to her in the authentic early Christian writings nor in the original recension of Saint Jerome's martyrology. Despite the legends detailing her story, the earliest references to her supposed 3rd-century life do not appear until the 7th century, and veneration of her was common, especially in the East, from the 9th century.[3] of doubts about the historicity of her legend,[4] she was removed from the General Roman Calendar in the 1969 revision, though not from the Catholic Church's list of saints.[5] Barbara is often portrayed with miniature chains and a tower. As one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Barbara continues to be a popular saint in modern times, perhaps best known as the patron saint of armourers, artillerymen, military engineers, miners and others who work with explosives because of her legend's association with lightning, and also of mathematicians. A 15th-century French version of her story credits her with thirteen miracles, many of which reflect the security she offered that her devotees would not die before getting to make confession and receiving extreme unction.[3] Heliopolis, in Syria (Baalbeck, Lebanon); Greatmartyr Barbara at Heliopolis, in Syria, Commemorated December 4 ; Holy Great Martyr Barbara lived and suffered during the reign of the emperor Maximian (305-311). Her father, the pagan Dioscorus, was a rich and illustrious man in the Syrian city of Heliopolis. After the death of his wife, he devoted himself to his only daughter. Barbara’s extraordinary beauty, Dioscorus decided to hide her from the eyes of strangers. Therefore, he built a tower for Barbara, where only her pagan teachers were allowed to see her. From the tower there was a view of hills stretching into the distance. By day she was able to gaze upon the wooded hills, the swiftly flowing rivers, and the meadows covered with a mottled blanket of flowers; by night the harmonious and majestic vault of the heavens twinkled and provided a spectacle of inexpressible beauty. the virgin began to ask herself questions about the First Cause and Creator of so harmonious and splendid a world. she became convinced that the souless idols were merely the work of human hands. her father and teachers offered them worship, she realized that the idols could not have made the surrounding world. desire to know the true God so consumed her soul that Barbara decided to devote all her life to this goal, to spend her life in virginity. fame of her beauty spread throughout the city, and many sought her hand in marriage. But despite the entreaties of her father, she refused all of them. warned her father that his persistence might end tragically and separate them forever. Dioscorus decided that the temperament of his daughter had been affected by her life of seclusion. therefore permitted her to leave the tower and gave her full freedom in her choice of friends and acquaintances. Barbara met young Christian maidens in the city, and they taught her about the Creator of the world, about the Trinity, and about the Divine Logos. the Providence of God, a priest arrived in Heliopolis from Alexandria disguised as a merchant. After instructing her in the mysteries of the Christian Faith, he baptized Barbara, then returned to his own country. this time a luxurious bathhouse was being built at the house of Dioscorus. By his orders the workers prepared to put two windows on the south side. But Barbara, taking advantage of her father’s absence, asked them to make a third window, thereby forming a Trinity of light. one of the walls of the bath-house Barbara traced a cross with her finger. The cross was deeply etched into the marble, as if by an iron instrument. her footprints were imprinted on the stone steps of the bathhouse. water of the bathhouse had great healing power. Simeon Metaphrastes (November 9) compared the bathhouse to the stream of Jordan and the Pool of Siloam, because by God’s power, many miracles took place there. Dioscorus returned and expressed dissatisfaction about the change in his building plans, his daughter told him about how she had come to know the Triune God, about the saving power of the Son of God, and about the futility of worshipping idols. went into a rage, grabbed a sword and was on the point of striking her with it. The holy virgin fled from her father, and he rushed after her in pursuit. His way became blocked by a hill, which opened up and concealed the saint in a crevice. the other side of the crevice was an entrance leading upwards. Saint Barbara managed then to conceal herself in a cave on the opposite slope of the hill. a long and fruitless search for his daughter, Dioscorus saw two shepherds on the hill. One of them showed him the cave where the saint had hidden. Dioscorus beat his daughter terribly, and then placed her under guard and tried to wear her down with hunger. he handed her over to the prefect of the city, named Martianus. They beat Saint Barbara fiercely: they struck her with rawhide, and rubbed her wounds with a hair cloth to increase her pain. By night Saint Barbara prayed fervently to her Heavenly Bridegroom, and the Savior Himself appeared and healed her wounds. Then they subjected the saint to new, and even more frightful torments. the crowd where the martyr was tortured was the virtuous Christian woman Juliana, an inhabitant of Heliopolis. Her heart was filled with sympathy for the voluntary martyrdom of the beautiful and illustrious maiden. Juliana also wanted to suffer for Christ. She began to denounce the torturers in a loud voice, and they seized her. martyrs were tortured for a long time. Their bodies were raked and wounded with hooks, and then they were led naked through the city amidst derision and jeers. Through the prayers of Saint Barbara the Lord sent an angel who covered the nakedness of the holy martyrs with a splendid robe. Then the steadfast confessors of Christ, Saints Barbara and Juliana, were beheaded. Dioscorus himself executed Saint Barbara. The wrath of God was not slow to punish both torturers, Martianus and Dioscorus. They were killed after being struck by lightning. the sixth century the relics of the holy Great Martyr Barbara were transferred to Constantinople. Six hundred years later, they were transferred to Kiev (July 11) by Barbara, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenos, Barbara, wife of the Russian prince Michael Izyaslavich. They rest even now at Kiev’s Saint Vladimir cathedral, where an Akathist to the saint is served each Tuesday. pious Orthodox Christians are in the habit of chanting the Troparion of Saint Barbara each day, recalling the Savior’s promise to her that those who remembered her and her sufferings would be preserved from a sudden, unexpected death, and would not depart this life without benefit of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Rome, 250 3rd Century, Babylas of Sicily, Southern Italy, fasting prayer silence, converted many, arested, tortured, died
Sicily, 250, 3rd Century, Babylas of Sicily, Southern Italy, fasting prayer silence, converted many, arested, tortured, died; Sicily; Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Commemorated January 24 ; Holy Martyrs Babylas of Sicily and his two disciples Timothy and Agapius lived during the third century on the outskirts of Rome. Saint Babylas was born in the city of Reupolium into a rich family, and he was raised by his parents in the Christian Faith. still in his youth he abandoned the world, secretly going from the house of his parents to a mountain, where he spent all his time in fasting, prayer and silence. two disciples, Timothy and Agapius, labored with him. Fleeing a persecution by the pagans, he went with his disciples to the island of Sicily, where they converted many unbelievers to Christ. governor of the island, angered by the missionary activity of Saint Babylas, ordered that he and his disciples be arrested, and he also had them tortured. The saints patiently endured their sufferings, and all three died by the sword. Their bodies were thrown into a fire, but the flames did not harm the warriors of Christ. They were buried on the island of Sicily by local Christians.

Rome, 251, Thermistocles of Myra, Lycia, a shepherd who concealed Dioskorides and went out to persuers. Tortured and Martyed
Lycia, 251, Thermistocles of Myra, Lycia, a shepherd who concealed Dioskorides and went out to persuers. Tortured and Martyed; Myra, Lycia; Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated December 21 ; Holy Martyr Themistocles lived in the city of Myra of Lycia during the reign of the persecutor of Christians, Decius (249-251) was a shepherd. During the persecution he concealed within his home a certain Christian named Dioskorides, while he himself went out to the pursuers. They tortured him cruelly, and he received a martyr’s crown for Christ in the year 251

Rome, 251-253, Pope, Cornelius, supported lapsed members return to communion, martyred
Roman Pope, 251-253, Cornelius; CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR (15 SEP 258) ; Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt, Commemorated on October 4;

Rome, 251-253, Emperor, Volusian, Pagan, b died in plague, k by troups w f
Roman Emperor, 251-253, Volusian; Vibius Volusianus (died August 253) was a Roman emperor from November 251 to August 253, ruling with his father Trebonianus Gallus. Emperor Decius and his son and co-ruler Herennius Etruscus died in battle in June 251, Trebonianus Gallus was elected emperor in the field by the legion. raised Hostilian, the younger son of Decius, to augustus (co-emperor) and elevated Volusianus to caesar. After the death of Hostilian in November 251, Volusianus was raised to augustus. short reign of Gallus and Volusianus was notable for the outbreak of a plague, which is said by some to be the reason for Hostilian's death, the invasion of the Sasanian Empire, and the raids of the Goths. was killed alongside his father in August 253 by their own soldiers, who were terrified of the forces of the usurper Aemilian which were marching towards Rome. Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31; St Coronatus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 12 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 5; Hieromartyr Dionysius of Paris, Bishop, Commemorated on October 9; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Epimachus of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 31; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; St Fructuosis of Tarragona, Spain, Commemorated on January 21; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Apollonius of Sardis, Commemorated on July 10; Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria, Commemorated on June 13 ;

Rome, 253-257, Pope, Stephen, anti novatian, converted many, martyrdom destroyed pagan temple
Roman Pope, 253-257, St Stephen of Rome; Hieromartyr Stephen the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 2 ; Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome, suffered in the year 257 during the reign of the emperor Valerian (253-259). Stephen, occupying the throne (253-257) of the holy First Bishop of Rome, zealously contended against the heresy of Novatus, which taught that it is not proper to receive back those returning from heresy. hiding during a persecution against Christians, Saint Stephen baptized many pagans, including the military tribune Nemesius. He converted to Christ after the saint healed his daughter Lucilla. Nemesius, who was ordained as a deacon, was beheaded along with his daughter. steward Symphronius was brought by the tribune Olympius into the temple of Mars for torture. His prayer shattered the golden idol, after which the tribune with his wife Exuperia and his son Theodolus believed and were baptized. They were all burned alive, and their remains were buried by holy Pope Stephen. twelve of his clergy were beheaded: Bonus, Faustus, Maurus, Primitivus, Calumniosus, John, Exuperantus, Cyril, Theodore, Basil, Castelus, Honoratus and Tertullinus, all converted by Saint Stephen. Finally, Saint Stephen himself was led before the emperor Valerian (253-259) , who condemned him to beheading with a sword in the temple of Mars. the prayers of the saint, a large part of the pagan temple was destroyed, and the soldiers fled. The saint concealed himself in the catacombs (the resting place of Saint Lucina or Lucy), where he was later killed by soldiers while he was teaching Christians. Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence of Rome, Commemorated on August 10;

Rome, 253-259, Emperor, Valerian the Elder, Christian suppoter, then Pagan
Roman Emperor, 253-259, Valerian the Elder ; Martyr Apollonius of Sardis, Commemorated on July 10; Martyr Marcian of Iconium, Commemorated on July 13 ; Hieromartyr Stephen the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 2 ; Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros) Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr Marinus the Soldier at Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Hippolytus of Rome, Commemorated on August 13; LAURENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR (10 AUGUST 258); Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence of Rome, Commemorated on August 10; Hieromartyr Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage, Commemorated on August 31 ; St Coronatus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 12 ; CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR (15 SEP 258) ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on October 5 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius of Paris, Bishop, Commemorated on October 9; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10 ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; St Fructuosis of Tarragona, Spain, Commemorated on January 21; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch, in Syria, Commemorated on February 9; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Leonidas of Corinth, Commemorated on April 16; St Alban the Protomartyr of Britain, Commemorated on June 22; Martyr Agrippina of Rome, Commemorated on June 23;

Rome, 253-259, Agrippina of Rome, virgin, went bravely before court, tortured, bones broke, chains, angel freed her, d tortures
Rome, 253-259, Agrippina of Rome (Aniene River, Tiber River 5), virgin, went bravely before court, tortured, bones broke, chains, angel freed her, died from tortures; Rome; Martyr Agrippina of Rome, Commemorated on June 23; Holy Martyr Agrippina, was by birth a Roman. did not wish to enter into marriage, and totally dedicated her life to God. the time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Valerian (253-259) the saint went before the court and bravely confessed her faith in Christ, for which she was given over to torture. beat the holy virgin with sticks so severely that her bones broke. Afterwards they put Saint Agrippina in chains, but an angel freed her from her bonds. holy confessor died from the tortures she endured. Christians Bassa, Paula and Agathonike secretly took the body of the holy martyr and transported it to Sicily, many miracles were worked at her grave. the eleventh century the relics of the holy Martyr Agrippina were transferred to Constantinople.

Rome, 253-268, Nikephoros of Antioch, friends Sapricius and N b enemies, N a forgiveness, S s no, after apostacy N dies for S
Syria, 253-268, Nikephoros of Antioch, Syria (Orontes River 7) friends Sapricius and N become enemies, N asks forgiveness, but S says no, N dies for S after S apostacy; Antioch (Orontes River 7); Martyr Nikephoros of Antioch, in Syria, Commemorated on February 9; Holy Martyr Nikephoros lived in the city of Syrian Antioch. In this city lived also the presbyter Sapricius, with whom Nikephoros was very friendly, so that they were considered as brothers. They quarreled because of some disagreement, and their former love changed into enmity and hate. a certain time Nikephoros came to his senses, repented of his sin and more than once asked Sapricius, through mutual friends, to forgive him. Sapricius, however, did not wish to forgive him. Nikephoros then went to his former friend and fervently asked forgiveness, but Sapricius was adamant. this time the emperors Valerian (253-259) and Gallius (260-268) began to persecute Christians, and one of the first brought before the court was the priest Sapricius. He firmly confessed himself a Christian, underwent tortures for his faith and was condemned to death by beheading with a sword. As they led Sapricius to execution, Nikephoros tearfully implored his forgiveness saying, “O martyr of Christ, forgive me if I have sinned against you in any way.” priest Sapricius remained stubborn, and even as he approached death he refused to forgive his fellow Christian. Seeing the hardness of his heart, the Lord withdrew His blessing from Sapricius, and would not let him receive the crown of martyrdom. At the last moment, he suddenly became afraid of death and agreed to offer sacrifice to idols. In vain did Saint Nikephoros urge Sapricius not to lose his reward through apostasy, since he already stood on the threshold of the heavenly Kingdom. Nikephoros then said to the executioner, “I am a Christian, and I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Execute me in place of Sapricius.” The executioners reported this to the governor. He decided to free Sapricius, and to behead Nikephoros in his place. Thus did Saint Nikephoros inherit the Kingdom and receive a martyr’s crown.

Rome, 253-300, Martyr Evangelicus the Bishop of Tomis, Apostle Andrew's disciple, but martyred Diocletian persecution
Romania, 253-300, Martyr Evangelicus the Bishop of Tomis, Romania (Constantsa, near Lalomita River Mouth, Danube River 16), Apostle Andrew's disciple, but active end of 3rd C, converted many pagans of Dacia Pontica, martyred Diocletian persecution; Tomis (Constantsa); Martyr Evangelicus the Bishop of Tomis, Constanta in Romania, Commemorated July 7 ; Evangelicus, a follower of the holy Apostle Andrew (November 30), the first known bishop of the diocese of Tomis (Constanța, pronounced: Constantsa) in Dacia Pontica (Lesser Scythia, or Dobrogea). was active around the mouths of the Danube toward the end of the third century. Evangelicus converted many pagans of Dacia Pontica to Christianity. is mentioned in the account of the martyrdom of Saints Epictetus and Astion (July 8), where he is described as the founder of churches in the province. parents of these holy martyrs were baptized by Saint Evangelicus after being converted by the priest Bonosus. is believed that Saint Evangelicus suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian (284-305).

Rome, 257-258, Pope Sixtus II, martyred by Valerian
Roman Pope, 257-258, Pope Sixtus II; Sixtus II was bishop of Rome from 31 August 257 until his death on 6 August 258. He was martyred along with seven deacons, including Lawrence of Rome, during the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Valerian.[1] Hieromartyr Stephen the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 2 ; Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence of Rome, Commemorated on August 10;

Rome, 257-275, Synetus, Reader, Rome (Aniene River, Tiber River 5), Tortured and beheaded for his confession
Rome, 257-275, Synetus, Reader, Rome (Aniene River, Tiber River 5), Tortured and beheaded for his confession; Rome; Martyr Synetus of Rome, Commemorated on December 12; Holy Martyr Synetus (the name is derived from the Greek word meaning “man of reason”) was a Roman by birth, and was a reader in the Roman Church under Pope Sixtus (257-258). He was subjected to torture, and was beheaded for his brave confession of faith in the time of the emperor Aurelian (270-275).

Rome, 259-268, Emperor, Gallienus, C Supporter then Pagan, Third Century Crisis, successions, k in conspiracy
Roman Emperor, 259-268, Gallienus ; ( c. 218 -“ September 268) was Roman emperor with his father Valerian from 22 October 253 to spring 260 and alone from spring 260 to September 268. He ruled during the Crisis of the Third Century that nearly caused the collapse of the empire. While he won a number of military victories, he was unable to prevent the secession of important provinces. His 15-year reign was the longest in half a century. into a wealthy and traditional senatorial family, Gallienus was the son of Valerian and Mariniana. Valerian became Emperor on 22 October 253 and had the Roman senate elevate Gallienus to the ranks of Caesar and Augustus. Valerian divided the empire between him and his son, with Valerian ruling the east and his son the west. Gallienus defeated the usurper Ingenuus in 258 and destroyed an Alemanni army at Mediolanum in 259. defeat and capture of Valerian at Edessa in 260 by the Sasanian Empire threw the Roman Empire into the chaos of civil war. Control of the whole empire passed to Gallienus. He defeated the eastern usurpers Macrianus Major and Lucius Mussius Aemilianus in 261-“262 but failed to stop the formation of the breakaway Gallic Empire under general Postumus. Aureolus, another usurper, proclaimed himself emperor in Mediolanum in 268 but was defeated outside the city by Gallienus and besieged inside. While the siege was ongoing, Gallienus was stabbed to death by the officer Cecropius as part of a conspiracy. Martyr Marinus the Soldier at Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on August 7; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome, Commemorated on December 24; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15 ; Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch, in Syria, Commemorated on February 9; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 268-270, Emperor, Claudius II, Pagan, success against Goths and Alemanni Germans, died from Cyprian Plague
Roman Emperor, 268-270, Claudius Gothicus; Aurelius Claudius 'Gothicus' (10 May 214 -January 270), also known as Claudius II, was Roman emperor from 268 to 270. his reign he fought successfully against the Alemanni and decisively defeated the Goths at the Battle of Naissus. He died after succumbing to "pestilence", possibly the Plague of Cyprian that had ravaged the provinces of the Empire. Martyr Marinus and his wife and children and those with them at Rome, Commemorated on July 6; Hieromartyr Valentine the Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy, Commemorated on July 30; Venerable Ammon, Commemorated on October 4; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Martyr Marinus of Rome, Commemorated on December 16; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15 ; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 269, Saint Valentine of Terni, healed child's contorted spine
Roman Saint, 269, Saint Valentine of Terni; Hieromartyr Valentine the Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy, Commemorated on July 30; Hieromartyr Bishop Valentine and his three disciples, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius, and the righteous Abundius lived during the third century. Saint Valentine was a bishop in Umbria (Italy), in the city of Interamna. He received from God the gift of healing various maladies. this time three pagan youths, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius, came from Athens to Rome to study.They found a tutor named Craton, and lived in his home. Craton’s son Cherimon fell grievously ill, and his spine was so contorted that his head was bent down to his knees. Craton asked Bishop Valentine to help his sick son. holy bishop went into the sick child’s room and prayed fervently all night. When day came, the happy parents saw their son had been healed. They believed in Christ and were baptized with all their household. ’s students, Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius were also baptized and became devoted disciples of Saint Valentine. The bishop’s fame quickly spread, and many were converted to Christ. Among them was the city prefect’s son, Abundius, who openly confessed himself a Christian. This was a bold thing to do, since paganism prevailed in the world, and Christianity was persecuted. wrath of the prefect and other city leaders fell upon Bishop Valentine, the teacher of the youths. They demanded that he renounce Christ and worship the idols. much torture they threw him into prison, where his followers visited him. Learning of this, the prefect gave orders to take Valentine out of the prison and behead him. Saint Valentine’s students Proculus, Ephebus, and Apollonius took the body of their teacher and carried it to the city of Interamnum, where they buried it. believers and pagans were drawn to them, and they converted many idolaters to the true Faith. When the authorities heard about this, they arrested the youths and threw them in prison. Fearing that people might break the sufferers out of prison, the executioners beheaded them by night. learning that his friends had been locked in prison, hastened to see them, but found that they had already been executed. He buried their bodies near the grave of holy Bishop Valentine.

Rome, 269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus, and the Martyrs Censorinus, Sabinus, Chryse the Virgin and 20 others suffered in 269
Rome, 217-269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, an antipope 217-235, and martyr in 269, prolific writer; hieromartyr Hippolytus of Rome was a priest and an ecclesiastical writer of the third century. He is considered to have been antipope of the Church of Rome from about 217 to 235. He was among the most important Christian theologians of the third century, and a saint. His feast day is January 30. early life of Hippolytus is unknown. He was born about the year 170 and lived in Rome when young. Greek was his native tongue. He is believed to have been a disciple of Irenaeus of Lyons and to have met Origen. From the details of his work, Philosophoumena Hippolytus apparently was in Rome during the time Victor was the bishop of Rome. At the beginning of the third century he was a priest noted for his learning, eloquence, zeal, and moral earnestness. He was also noted to be a bishop of an unspecified city by Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome and by the poet Prudentius as bishop of Portus, a port for Rome. Philosophoumena, that is a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", shows that he dissented from the compassionate views of Bps. Zephyrinus, whom he considered to be a weak man "unskilled the church's rule", and ‎Callistus I of Rome concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented. In the "Refutation of All Heresies" Hippolytus set out to refute the doctrines of the Gnostics and condemn heretics by showing that their views were taken from pagan philosophy and oriental theosophy. also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day to such an extant that came to allow himself to be elected a rival bishop of Rome, the first antipope. the persecutions of emperor Maximinus Thrax Hippolytus was exiled to Sardinia in 235 where he died, reportedly a martyr. His body was returned to Rome and interred in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina. By about 255, he was considered a martyred priest by the Church, indicating that he had been reconciled with the Church and not considered a schismatic. Rome, 217-269, Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, an antipope 217-235, and martyr in 269, prolific writer; of Rome ( c. 170 - c. 235 AD) was one of the most important second-third century Christian theologians, whose provenance, identity and corpus remain elusive to scholars and historians. communities include Palestine, Egypt, Anatolia, Rome and regions of the mideast. best historians of literature in the ancient church, including Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome, openly confess they cannot name where Hippolytus the biblical commentator and theologian served in leadership. They had read his works but did not possess evidence of his community. I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca (cod. 121) as a disciple of Irenaeus, who was said to be a disciple of Polycarp, and from the context of this passage it is supposed that he suggested that Hippolytus so styled himself.[1] This assertion is doubtful.[2] older theory asserts he came into conflict with the popes of his time and seems to have headed a schismatic group as a rival to the bishop of Rome, thus becoming an antipope. In this view, he opposed the Roman Popes who softened the penitential system to accommodate the large number of new pagan converts. However, he was reconciled to the Church before he died as a martyr.[2] in the fourth century, various legends arose about him, identifying him as a priest of the Novatianist schism or as a soldier converted by Saint Lawrence. has also been confused with another martyr of the same name.[2] Pope Pius IV identifies him as "Saint Hippolytus, Bishop of Pontus" who was martyred in the reign of Severus Alexander through his inscription on a statue found at the Church of Saint Lawrence in Rome and kept at the Vatican as photographed and published in Bunsen.[3] is known for certain about his community of origin. One Victorian theory suggested that as a presbyter of the church at Rome under Pope Zephyrinus (199–217 AD), Hippolytus was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. It was at this time that Origen, then a young man, heard him preach.[4][1] this view, Hippolytus accused Pope Zephyrinus of modalism, the heresy which held that the names Father and Son are simply different names for the same subject. Hippolytus championed the Logos doctrine of the Greek apologists, most notably Justin Martyr, which distinguished the Father from the Logos ("Word"). An ethical conservative, he was scandalized when Pope Callixtus I (217–222 AD) extended absolution to Christians who had committed grave sins, such as adultery.[5] suggest Hippolytus himself advocated a pronounced rigorism.[6] At this time, he seems to have allowed himself to be elected as a rival Bishop of Rome, and continued to attack Pope Urban I (222–230 AD) and Pope Pontian (230–235 AD).[2] G. Salmon suggests that Hippolytus was the leader of the Greek-speaking Christians of Rome.[7] Allen Brent sees the development of Roman house-churches into something akin to Greek philosophical schools gathered around a compelling teacher.[8] under this view: during the persecution at the time of Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Hippolytus and Pontian were exiled together in 235 to Sardinia,[9] likely dying in the mines.[7] It is quite probable that, before his death there, he was reconciled to the other party at Rome, for, under Pope Fabian (236–250 AD), his body and that of Pontian were brought to Rome. The so-called Chronography of 354 (more precisely, the Liberian Catalogue) reports that on August 13, probably in 236, the two bodies were interred in Rome, that of Hippolytus in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina,[9] his funeral being conducted by Justin the Confessor. This document indicates that, by about 255, Hippolytus was considered a martyr and gives him the rank of a priest, not of a bishop, an indication that before his death the schismatic was received again into the Church.[2][1] name Hippolytus appears in various hagiographical and martyrological sources of the early Church. The facts about the life of the writer Hippolytus, as opposed to other celebrated Christians who bore the name Hippolytus, were eventually lost in the West, perhaps partly because he wrote in Hellenic Greek. Pope Damasus I dedicated to a Hippolytus one of his famous epigrams,[1] referring to a priest of the Novatianist schism, a view later forwarded by Prudentius in the 5th century in his "Passion of St Hippolytus". In the Passionals of the 7th and 8th centuries he is represented as a soldier converted by Saint Lawrence, a legend that long survived in the Roman Breviary. He was also confused with a martyr of the same name who was buried in Portus, of which city he was believed to have been a bishop,[2] who was put to death by drowning in a deep well.[9] to Prudentius' account, a martyr Hippolytus was dragged to death by wild horses,[10] a striking parallel to the story of the mythological Hippolytus, who was dragged to death by wild horses at Athens. He described the subterranean tomb of the saint and states that he saw there a picture representing Hippolytus' execution. He also confirms August 13 as the date on which a Hippolytus was celebrated but this again refers to the convert of Lawrence, as preserved in the Menaion of the Eastern Orthodox Church. latter account led to a Hippolytus being considered the patron saint of horses. During the Middle Ages, sick horses were brought to St Ippolyts, Hertfordshire, England, where a church is dedicated to him.[11] -Roman sculpture, maybe of Hippolytus, found in 1551 and used for the attribution of the Apostolic Tradition surrounds the corpus of the writer Hippolytus. In the Victorian Era, scholars claimed his principal work to be the Refutation of all Heresies.[2] Of its ten books, Book I was the most important.[5] It was long known and was printed (with the title Philosophumena) among the works of Origen. Books II and III are lost, and Books IV–X were found, without the name of the author,[1] in a monastery of Mount Athos in 1842. E. Miller published them in 1851 under the title Philosophumena, attributing them to Origen of Alexandria. Recent scholarship prefers to treat the text as the work of an unknown author, perhaps of Roman origin. 1551 a marble statue of a seated figure (originally female, perhaps personifying one of the sciences) was purportedly found in the cemetery of the Via Tiburtina and was heavily restored. On the sides of the seat was carved a paschal cycle, and on the back the titles of numerous writings by Hippolytus.[6][1] Many other works are listed by Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome. The research of Guarducci showed the original statue was a representation of a female figure, reopening the question of its original purpose. Allen Brent analyzed the title list of the statue, questioning Hippolytan authorship of some works. voluminous writings, which for variety of subject can be compared with those of Origen, embrace the spheres of exegesis, homiletics, apologetics and polemic, chronography, and ecclesiastical law. The Apostolic Tradition, if it is the work of Hippolytus, recorded the first liturgical reference to the Virgin Mary, as part of the ordination rite of a bishop.[12] exegetical works attributed to Hippolytus, the best preserved are the Commentary on the Prophet Daniel and the Commentary on the Song of Songs.[2] This is the earliest attested Christian interpretation of the Song, covering only the first three chapters to Song 3:7. commentary on the Song of Songs survives in two Georgian manuscripts, a Greek epitome, a Paleo-Slavonic florilegium, and fragments in Armenian and Syriac as well as in many patristic quotations, especially in Ambrose of Milan's Exposition on Psalm 118 (119). It is generally regarded as an instruction relating to a post-Baptismal rite of anointing with oil as a symbol of receiving the Holy Spirit. The commentary was originally written as part of a mystagogy, an instruction for new Christians. Scholars have usually assumed the Commentary On the Song of Songs was originally composed for use during Passover, a season favored in the West for Baptism.[13] Hippolytus supplied his commentary with a fully developed introduction known as the schema isagogicum, indicating his knowledge of the rhetorical conventions for teachers discussing classical works.[14] He employs a common rhetorical trope, ekphrasis, using images on the walls or floors of Greco-Roman homes, and in the catacombs as paintings or mosaics.[15] Origen felt that the Song should be reserved for the spiritually mature and that studying it might be harmful for the novice. generally ascribe to Hippolytus[16] a work now entitled the Apostolic Tradition, which contains the earliest known ritual of ordination.[9] The influence of Hippolytus was felt chiefly through his works on chronography and ecclesiastical law.[1] His chronicle of the world, a compilation embracing the whole period from the creation of the world up to the year 234, formed a basis for many chronographical works both in the East and West.[17][1] It is from the Apostolic Tradition that the current words of episcopal ordination in the Catholic Church come from, as updated by Pope Paul VI. the great compilations of ecclesiastical law that arose in the East since the 3rd century, the Church Orders many canons were attributed to Hippolytus, for example in the Canons of Hippolytus or the Constitutions through Hippolytus. How much of this material is genuinely his, how much of it worked over, and how much of it wrongly attributed to him, can no longer be determined beyond dispute,[1] however a great deal was incorporated into the Fetha Negest, which once served as the constitutional basis of law in Ethiopia — where he is still remembered as Abulides. During the early 20th century the work known as The Egyptian Church Order was identified as the Apostolic Tradition and attributed to Hippolytus; at present this attribution is hotly contested. in style and theology lead some scholars to conclude that some of the works attributed to Hippolytus actually derive from a second author.[2] small but potentially important works, On the Twelve Apostles of Christ and On the Seventy Apostles of Christ, are often neglected because the manuscripts were lost during most of the church age and then found in Greece in the 19th century. . The two are included in an appendix to the works of Hippolytus in the voluminous collection of Early Church Fathers.[18] The work on the 70 apostles is noteworthy as a (potentially) early source. consensus of scholarship agrees on a core of authentic texts composed by the second-third century writer Hippolytus, regardless of disputes concerning his community, or the exact dates of his biography: these are the biblical commentaries, including On Daniel, On David and Goliath, On the Song of Songs (partially extant), On the Blessings of Isaac and Jacob, and On the Antichrist. These form a sound basis for exploring and understanding his theology and biblical doctrines. is an important figure in the development of Christian eschatology. In his biblical compendium and topical study On Christ and the Antichrist and in his Commentary on the Prophet Daniel Hippolytus gave his interpretation of the second advent of Christ.[19] the onset of persecutions during the reign of Septimius Severus, many early Christian writers treated topics of apocalyptic eschatology. On Christ and the Antichrist is one of the earliest works. It is thought Hippolytus was generally influenced by Irenaeus.[20] However, unlike Irenaeus, Hippolytus focuses on the meaning of prophecy for the Church in his own time. Of the dogmatic works, On Christ and the Antichrist survives in a complete state and was probably written about 202. follows the long-established usage in interpreting Daniel's seventy prophetic weeks to be weeks of literal years. Hippolytus gave an explanation of Daniel's paralleling prophecies of chapters 2 and 7, which he, as with the other fathers, specifically relates to the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. His interpretation of events and their significance is Christological.[21] did not subscribe to the belief that the Second Coming was imminent.[22] In his commentary on Daniel he criticizes those who predict the Second Coming in the near future, and then says that six thousand years must pass from Creation before the Second Coming. He also says that Christ was born 5500 years after Adam, so 500 years have to pass from the birth of Christ "to the consummation of the six thousand years, and in this way the end will be".[23] days[edit] the Eastern Orthodox Church, the feast day of St Hippolytus falls on August 13, which is also the Apodosis of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Because on the Apodosis the hymns of the Transfiguration are to be repeated, the feast of St. Hippolytus may be transferred to the day before or to some other convenient day. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast of "St Hippolytus Pope of Rome" on January 30, who may or may not be the same individual. Roman Catholic Church celebrates St Hippolytus jointly with St Pontian on August 13. The feast of Saint Hippolytus formerly celebrated on 22 August as one of the companions of Saint Timotheus was a duplicate of his 13 August feast and for that reason was deleted when the General Roman Calendar was revised in 1969.[24] Earlier editions of the Roman Martyrology referred to the 22 August Hippolytus as Bishop of Porto. The Catholic Encyclopedia sees this as "connected with the confusion regarding the Roman presbyter resulting from the Acts of the Martyrs of Porto. It has not been ascertained whether the memory of the latter was localized at Porto merely in connection with the legend in Prudentius, without further foundation, or whether a person named Hippolytus was really martyred at Porto, and afterwards confounded in legend with Hippolytus of Rome."[6] This opinion is shared by a Benedictine source.[25] editions of the Roman Martyrology also mentioned on 30 January a Hippolytus venerated at Antioch, but the details were borrowed from the story of Hippolytus of Rome.[26] Modern editions of the Martyrology omit mention of this supposed Saint Hippolytus of Antioch. Rome; Hieromartyr Hippolytus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated January 30 ; Hieromartyr Hippolytus, and the Martyrs Censorinus, Sabinus, Chryse the Virgin and 20 others suffered during the third century. Saint Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome, learned of the suffering of the martyrs, he appeared before the governor despite his advanced years and rebuked the torturers for their inhumanity. The enraged governor sentenced the holy bishop to be tortured. After long torments, they tied him hand and foot and threw him into the sea. Censorinus was a high-ranking magistrate during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius II (268-270). He was arrested and thrown into prison for his faith in Christ. By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ he raised up a dead man. As a result, twenty soldiers and prison guards were converted to Christ. They were beheaded with Saint Censorinus. Then the virgin Chryse was brought for interrogation. She bravely confessed herself a Christian and was subjected to torture. They lashed her sides and burned the wounds with candles. Then she was stretched out on the ground and beaten with heavy clubs. Not content with this, they broke her jaw with a rock and her back with leaden balls. Although she was covered with wounds, she confessed her faith as she was dying. So cruel was the brutality of her murderers that they tied a large stone around her neck and threw her into the sea. Chryse was thrown into the deep, but the newly-slain bride emerged from the ocean and entered the heavenly Bridal Chamber. Although her body disappeared into the water, her memory remains eternal and immortal, even more golden than her illustrious name. [FootNote: Chryse means “golden.”] Sabinus was the servant of Saint Chryse. The depraved idolaters beat him mercilessly with heavy leaden balls on his neck, then they hung him up on a tree and burned his entrails. After giving thanks to God, he surrendered his soul to Christ. Saint Chryse suffered the martyrs Ares, Felix, Maximus, Herculianus, Venerius, Stiracius, Mennas, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprus, Theodore the Tribune, Maximus the Presbyter, Archelaus the Deacon, and Cyriacus the Bishop. these Roman martyrs suffered in the year 269. The relics of the Hieromartyr Hippolytus were put in the church of the holy Martyrs Laurence and Pope Damasus at Rome. Saint Hippolytus was a disciple of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyons in France), and he is also renowned as a Christian theologian who wrote many treatises against the heretics. Hyppolitus compiled a Paschal Canon, the famous Apostolic Tradition, “On Christ”, and a “Treatise on the Antichrist.” Saint Hippolytus also wrote many commentaries on Holy Scripture, on the Biblical Books: Genesis, Exodus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and on the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John, and on the Prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, on the Psalms of David and on the Apocalyse. Part of his works are preserved only in fragments. His discourses, devoted to the Theophany and the Prophet Daniel, are preserved in full. His discourses demonstrate his masterful style of preaching. He was one of the last Western Fathers to write in Greek.

Rome, 270-275, Emperor, Aurelian, unprecedntd series of v, reunited E, Restorer of World
Roman Emperor, 270-275, Aurelian ; Martyr Patroclus of Troyes, Commemorated August 17 ; Martyr Paul of Syria, Commemorated August 17 ; Hieromartyr Athanasius the Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 22 ; Venerable Anthusa the Nun, Commemorated August 22 ; Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Martyr Heliodorus in Pamphylia, Commemorated on November 19; Martyr Philoumenus of Ancyra, Commemorated on November 29; Martyr Synetus of Rome, Commemorated on December 12; Martyr Boniface at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19; Righteous Aglaida (Aglae) of Rome, Commemorated on December 19; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Martyr Paul and his sister, Commemorated on March 4 ; Martyr Paul and his sister, Commemorated on March 4 ; Monkmartyr Conon and his son of Iconium, Commemorated on March 6; Hieromartyr Alexander of Side, in Pamphylia, Commemorated on March 15; Hieromartyr Alexander of Side, in Pamphylia, Commemorated on March 15; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Sava Stratelates œthe GeneralÂ of Rome, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Lucillian and those who suffered with him at Byzantium Commemorated on June 3;

Rome, 270-275, Heliodorus in Magidum, Pamphylia, Lykaonia, Martyr, fierce tortures, beheaded
Lykaonia, 270-275, Heliodorus in Magidum, Pamphylia, Lykaonia; Magydos, half way between Perge and Antalya; Martyr Heliodorus in Pamphylia, Commemorated on November 19 ; Holy Martyr Heliodorus lived during the reign of the emperor Aurelian (270-275) in the city of Magidum (Pamphylia). ruler of the city, Aetius, subjected the saint to fierce tortures for his faith in Christ and had him beheaded. Hieromartyr Nestor the Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia, Commemorated on February 28 ;

Rome, 270-275, Ptolemais, Galilee (Acre) Phoenicia, executed under Aurelian, iron hooks, burned, red hot grates
Galilee, 270-275, Ptolemais, Galilee (Acre) Phoenicia, executed under Aurelian, iron hooks, burned, hot grates, soldiers believed executed, J preserved at brothel, touch lose sight, to execcution singing ; Ptolemais, Acre, 1 Maccabees Ch 9; Martyr Paul and his sister, Commemorated on March 4; Holy Martyr Paul and his sister Juliana were executed under the emperor Aurelian (270-275) in the Phoenician city of Ptolemais. emperor happened to visit Ptolemais, and among those who met him was Paul, who made the Sign of the Cross. They arrested him and threw him in prison. the following day, when they brought him to trial, he openly and boldly confessed his faith in Christ, for which he was subjected to fierce tortures. Juliana, seeing the suffering of her brother, began to denounce the emperor for his injustice and cruelty, for which she was also subjected to torture. beat the martyrs, tore their bodies with iron hooks, burned them over red-hot grates, but they were not able to break the wondrous endurance of the Lord’s confessors. Three soldiers torturing the saints were struck by the courageous spirit of the martyrs, and they in turn believed in Christ. These newly chosen of God were named Quadratus, Acacius and Stratonicus, and they were immediately executed. tormentor tried to seduce Saint Juliana with a promise to marry her, if she were to renounce Christ, but the saint refused the offer and remained steadfast. By order of the emperor they sent her to a brothel to be defiled. The Lord also preserved her there, and anyone who tried to touch the saint lost his sight. the enraged emperor commanded that they again burn the bodies of the saints. Those who saw the suffering of the saints began to murmur loudly, and Aurelian gave orders to behead the martyrs. gladdened face the brother and sister went to execution singing, “For Thou hast saved us from those who afflicted us and hast shamed those who hated us” (Ps. 43/44:7).

Rome, 271-356, ANTHONY, the great, father of monasticism, protection of Cross, lived to 105, John Chrys says read his bio
Egypt, 271-356, ANTHONY, father of monasticism, first monastic rule, temptations, eternal punishment, granted a vision, angel, prayer and work, food at sunset, praying till dawn, sleep every 3rd day, monsterous phantoms, protection of the Cross, beaten devil hypocrit, vanquished w prayer, moved into graveyard, shut in tomb, friend deliver bread, devils pounced, as if dead, prepared for burial, regained consciousness, back to tombs, form of ferocious beasts, defeated by trusting, roof opening ray of light, where have you been Jesus? Why? Wanted to see you struggle, now I will always help and make you famous, to Thebaid alone, ignored silver and gold, abandoned fort w water other side of river, friend's bread twice a year, perfect calm after 20 yrs struggle, friends besought his guidance, soon surrounded by several monasteries, don't fear demonic assaults, repel them by Cross, Maximian persecution in 311, A goes to p in Alexandria to suffer, but preserved , back to Thebaid, gifts wonderworking, deliverance, healing, great crowds, deeper into desert but asked to visit monasteries, Manichaean Arian heresies in Alexandria misrepresented him, but he publically denounced them, he lived to 105, John Chrysostom says everyone should read his biography by Athanasius ; Alexandria; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17 ; Anthony the Great is known as the Father of monasticism, and the long ascetical sermon in The Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius (Sections 16-34), could be called the first monastic Rule. was born in Egypt in the village of Coma, near the desert of the Thebaid, in the year 251. His parents were pious Christians of illustrious lineage. Anthony was a serious child and was respectful and obedient to his parents. He loved to attend church services, and he listened to the Holy Scripture so attentively, that he remembered what he heard all his life. Saint Anthony was about twenty years old, he lost his parents, but he was responsible for the care of his younger sister. Going to church about six months later, the youth reflected on how the faithful,in the Acts of the Apostles (4:35), sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the Apostles for the needy. he entered the church and heard the Gospel passage where Christ speaks to the rich young man: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me” (Mt.19:21). Anthony felt that these words applied to him. Therefore, he sold the property that he received after the death of his parents, then distributed the money to the poor, and left his sister in the care of pious virgins in a convent. his parental home, Saint Anthony began his ascetical life in a hut not far from his village. By working with his hands, he was able to earn his livelihood and also alms for the poor. Sometimes, the holy youth also visited other ascetics living in the area, and from each he sought direction and benefit. He turned to one particular ascetic for guidance in the spiritual life. this period of his life Saint Anthony endured terrible temptations from the devil. The Enemy of the race of man troubled the young ascetic with thoughts of his former life, doubts about his chosen path, concern for his sister, and he tempted Anthony with lewd thoughts and carnal feelings. But the saint extinguished that fire by meditating on Christ and by thinking of eternal punishment, thereby overcoming the devil. that the devil would undoubtedly attack him in another manner, Saint Anthony prayed and intensified his efforts. Anthony prayed that the Lord would show him the path of salvation. And he was granted a vision. The ascetic beheld a man, who by turns alternately finished a prayer, and then began to work. This was an angel, which the Lord had sent to instruct His chosen one. Anthony tried to accustom himself to a stricter way of life. He partook of food only after sunset, he spent all night praying until dawn. Soon he slept only every third day. But the devil would not cease his tricks, and trying to scare the monk, he appeared under the guise of monstrous phantoms. The saint however protected himself with the Life-Creating Cross. Finally the Enemy appeared to him in the guise of a frightful looking small dark figure, and hypocritically declaring himself beaten, he thought he could tempt the saint into vanity and pride. The saint, however, vanquished the Enemy with prayer. even greater solitude, Saint Anthony moved farther away from the village, into a graveyard. He asked a friend to bring him a little bread on designated days, then shut himself in a tomb. Then the devils pounced upon the saint intending to kill him, and inflicted terrible wounds upon him. By the providence of the Lord, Anthony’s friend arrived the next day to bring him his food. Seeing him lying on the ground as if dead, he took him back to the village. They thought the saint was dead and prepared for his burial. At midnight, Saint Anthony regained consciousness and told his friend to carry him back to the tombs. Anthony’s staunchness was greater than the wiles of the Enemy. Taking the form of ferocious beasts, the devils tried to force the saint to leave that place, but he defeated them by trusting in the Lord. Looking up, the saint saw the roof opening, as it were, and a ray of light coming down toward him. The demons disappeared and he cried out, “Where have You been, O Merciful Jesus? Why didn’t You appear from the very beginning to end my pain?” Lord replied, “I was here, Anthony, but wanted to see your struggle. Now, since you have not yielded, I shall always help you and make your name known throughout all the world.” After this vision Saint Anthony was healed of his wounds and felt stronger than before. He was then thirty-five years of age. gained spiritual experience in his struggle with the devil, Saint Anthony considered going into the Thebaid desert to serve the Lord. He asked the Elder (to whom he had turned for guidance at the beginning of his monastic journey) to go into the desert with him. The Elder, while blessing him in the then as yet unheard of exploit of being a hermit, decided not to accompany him because of his age. Anthony went into the desert alone. The devil tried to hinder him, by placing a large silver disc in his path, then gold, but the saint ignored it and passed by. He found an abandoned fort on the other side of the river and settled there, barricading the entrance with stones. His faithful friend brought him bread twice a year, and there was water inside the fort. Anthony spent twenty years in complete isolation and constant struggle with the demons, and he finally achieved perfect calm. saint’s friends removed the stones from the entrance , and they went to Saint Anthony and besought him to take them under his guidance. Soon Saint Anthony’s cell was surrounded by several monasteries, and the saint acted as a father and guide to their inhabitants, giving spiritual instruction to all who came into the desert seeking salvation. increased the zeal of those who were already monks, and inspired others with a love for the ascetical life. He told them to strive to please the Lord, and not to become faint-hearted in their labors. He also urged them not to fear demonic assaults, but to repel the Enemy by the power of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord. the year 311 there was a fierce persecution against Christians, in the reign of the emperor Maximian. Wishing to suffer with the holy martyrs, Saint Anthony left the desert and went to Alexandria. He openly ministered to those in prison, he was present at the trial and interrogations of the confessors, and accompanying the martyrs to the place of execution. It pleased the Lord to preserve him, however, for the benefit of Christians. the close of the persecution, the saint returned to the desert and continued his exploits. The Lord granted the saint the gift of wonderworking, casting out demons and healing the sick by the power of his prayer. great crowds of people coming to him disrupted his solitude, and he went off still farther, into the inner desert where he settled atop a high elevation. But the brethren of the monasteries sought him out and asked him to visit their communities. time Saint Anthony left the desert and arrived in Alexandria to defend the Orthodox Faith against the Manichaean and Arian heresies. that the name of Saint Anthony was venerated by all the Church, the Arians said that he adhered to their heretical teaching. Saint Anthony publicly denounced Arianism in front of everyone and in the presence of the bishop. During his brief stay at Alexandria, he converted a great multitude of pagans to Christ. from all walks of life loved the saint and sought his advice. philosophers once came to Abba Anthony intending to mock him for his lack of education, but by his words he reduced them to silence. Constantine the Great (May 21) and his sons wrote to Saint Anthony and asked him for a reply. He praised the emperor for his belief in Christ, and advised him to remember the future judgment, and to know that Christ is the true King. Anthony spent eighty-five years in the solitary desert. Shortly before his death, he told the brethren that soon he would be taken from them. He instructed them to preserve the Orthodox Faith in its purity, to avoid any association with heretics, and not to be negligent in their monastic struggles. “Strive to be united first with the Lord, and then with the saints, so that after death they may receive you as familiar friends into the everlasting dwellings.” saint instructed two of his disciples, who had attended him in the final fifteen years of his life, to bury him in the desert and not in Alexandria. left one of his monastic mantles to Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (January 18), and the other to Saint Serapion of Thmuis (March 21). Anthony died peacefully in the year 356, at age 105, and he was buried in the desert by his disciples. Life of the famed ascetic Saint Anthony the Great was written by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. This is the first biography of a saint who was not a martyr, and is considered to be one of the finest of Saint Athanasius’ writings. Saint John Chrysostom recommends that this Life be read by every Christian. “These things are insignificant compared with Anthony’s virtues,” writes Saint Athanasius, “but judge from them what the man of God Anthony was like. From his youth until his old age, he kept his zeal for asceticism, he did not give in to the desire for costly foods because of his age, nor did he alter his clothing because of the infirmity of his body. He did not even wash his feet with water. He remained very healthy, and he could see well because his eyes were sound and undimmed. Not one of his teeth fell out, but near the gums they had become worn due to his advanced age. He remained strong in his hands and feet.... He was spoken of everywhere, and was admired by everyone, and was sought even by those who had not seen him, which is evidence of his virtue and of a soul dear to God.” following works of Saint Anthony have come down to us: Twenty Sermons on the virtues, primarily monastic (probably spurious). Seven Letters to various Egyptian monasteries concerning moral perfection, and the monastic life as a spiritual struggle. A Rule for monastics (not regarded as an authentic work of Saint Anthony). the year 544 the relics of Saint Anthony the Great were transferred to Alexandria, and after the conquest of Egypt by the Saracens in the seventh century, they were transferred to Constantinople. The holy relics were transferred from Constantinople in the tenth-eleventh centuries to a diocese outside Vienna. In the fifteenth century they were brought to Arles (in France), to the church of Saint Julian. ANTONY, ABBOT IN EGYPT (17 JAN 356) ; the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in 312 AD, back in the days when Christianity was still a persecuted religion, the act of becoming a Christian involved turning one's back on the pursuit of security, of fashionable prestige and popularity, of success as the term is widely understood. the Emperor had changed Christianity from a persecuted religion into a fashionable one, many earnest Christians felt the need to make such a renunciation in the service of Christ, and did not see mere Church membership as any longer enough to constitute such a renunciation. Accordingly, many of them sought Christian commitment by fleeing from society into the desert, and becoming hermits, devoting themselves to solitude, fasting, and prayer. this trend was much accelerated and reinforced by the conversion of Constantine and attendant changes, it had already begun earlier. An outstanding early example is Antony of Egypt, often reckoned as the founder of Christian monasticism. of Egypt, the son of Christian parents, inherited a large estate. On his way to church one day, he found himself meditating on the text, "Sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and come follow me." he got to church, he heard the preacher speaking on that very text. He took this as a message for him, and, having provided for the care of his sister, he gave his land to the tenants who lived on it, and gave his other wealth to the poor, and became a hermit, living alone for twenty years, praying and reading, and doing manual labor. 305, he gave up his solitude to become the head of a group of monks, living in a cluster of huts or cells, devoting themselves to communal singing and worship, to prayer and study and manual labor under Antony's direction. They did not simply renounce the world, but were diligent in prayer for their fellow Christians, worked with their hands to earn money that they might distribute it as alms, and preached and gave personal counseling to those who sought them out. 321, Christians in Alexandria were being persecuted by the Emperor Maximinus (the rule of Constantine was not yet universal), and Antony visited Alexandria to encourage those facing the possibility of martyrdom. visited again in 335, when Arianism was strong in the city, and converted many, by his preaching and testimony, and by prayer and the working of miracles. His biography was written by Athanasius, who said of him: "Who ever met him grieving and failed to go away rejoicing?" by James Kiefer Egyptian Patriarch, 325-395, Paphnutius the Ascetic; Venerable Ammon, Commemorated on October 4; Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt, Commemorated on October 4; St John of Egypt,Commemorated on December 2;

Rome, 274-327, Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Nish, Serbia, Constantine's Birthplace 274
Rome, 294, Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Nish, Serbia, Constantine's Birthplace (South Morava River 5), she a christian commoner, in 294 her husband Constantius Chlorus Western Roman Caesar (Gaul and Britain) divorced her to marry a noble, father did not persecute christians, Constantine succeeded father in 306, 313 by Sign of Cross he defeated Maximian Galerius in the East and the fierce tyrant Maxentius in the West, 313 Edict of Milan made Christianity legal, 323 defeated Licinius to be sole ruler, 330 moved capital to Brizantium, B renamed Constantinople, 326 sent Helen to J to find Cross, 316 rise of Arianism, Donatism, Novatism, 325 first E council at Nicea; Nish, Serbia; Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Commemorated on May 21; Church calls Saint Constantine (306-337) “the Equal of the Apostles,” and historians call him “the Great.” He was the son of the Caesar Constantius Chlorus (305-306), who governed the lands of Gaul and Britain. His mother was Saint Helen, a Christian of humble birth. this time the immense Roman Empire was divided into Western and Eastern halves, governed by two independent emperors and their corulers called “Caesars.” Constantius Chlorus was Caesar in the Western Roman Empire. Saint Constantine was born in 274, possibly at Nish in Serbia. In 294, Constantius divorced Helen in order to further his political ambition by marrying a woman of noble rank. After he became emperor, Constantine showed his mother great honor and respect, granting her the imperial title “Augusta.” the future ruler of all the whole Roman Empire, was raised to respect Christianity. His father did not persecute Christians in the lands he governed. This was at a time when Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire by the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and his corulers Maximian Galerius (305-311) in the East, and the emperor Maximian Hercules (284-305) in the West. the death of Constantius Chlorus in 306, Constantine was acclaimed by the army at York as emperor of Gaul and Britain. The first act of the new emperor was to grant the freedom to practice Christianity in the lands subject to him. The pagan Maximian Galerius in the East and the fierce tyrant Maxentius in the West hated Constantine and they plotted to overthrow and kill him, but Constantine bested them in a series of battles, defeating his opponents with the help of God. He prayed to God to give him a sign which would inspire his army to fight valiantly, and the Lord showed him a radiant Sign of the Cross in the heavens with the inscription “In this Sign, conquer.” Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. Saint Helen, who was a Christian, may have influenced him in this decision. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their faith without fear. paganism, the Emperor did not let his capital remain in ancient Rome, the former center of the pagan realm. He transferred his capital to the East, to the city of Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople, the city of Constantine (May 11). Constantine was deeply convinced that only Christianity could unify the immense Roman Empire with its diverse peoples. He supported the Church in every way. He recalled Christian confessors from banishment, he built churches, and he showed concern for the clergy. emperor deeply revered the victory-bearing Sign of the Cross of the Lord, and also wanted to find the actual Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. For this purpose he sent his own mother, the holy Empress Helen, to Jerusalem, granting her both power and money. Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem and Saint Helen began the search, and through the will of God, the Life-Creating Cross was miraculously discovered in 326. (The account of the finding of the Cross of the Lord is found under the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, September 14). The Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen on March 6. in Palestine, the holy empress did much of benefit for the Church. She ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother, should be freed of all traces of paganism, and she commanded that churches should be built at these places. emperor Constantine ordered a magnificent church in honor of Christ’s Resurrection to be built over His tomb. Saint Helen gave the Life-Creating Cross to the Patriarch for safe-keeping, and took part of the Cross with her for the emperor. After distributing generous alms at Jerusalem and feeding the needy (at times she even served them herself), the holy Empress Helen returned to Constantinople, where she died in the year 327. of her great services to the Church and her efforts in finding the Life-Creating Cross, the empress Helen is called “the Equal of the Apostles.” peaceful state of the Christian Church was disturbed by quarrels, dissensions and heresies which had appeared within the Church. Already at the beginning of Saint Constantine’s reign the heresies of the Donatists and the Novatians had arisen in the West. They demanded a second baptism for those who lapsed during the persecutions against Christians. These heresies, repudiated by two local Church councils, were finally condemned at the Council of Milan in 316. ruinous for the Church was the rise of the Arian heresy in the East, which denied the Divine Nature of the Son of God, and taught that Jesus Christ was a mere creature. By order of the emperor, the First Ecumenical Council was convened in the city of Nicea in 325. bishops attended this Council. Among its participants were confessor-bishops from the period of the persecutions and many other luminaries of the Church, among whom was Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lycia. (The account about the Council is found under May 29). The emperor was present at the sessions of the Council. The heresy of Arius was condemned and a Symbol of Faith (Creed) composed, in which was included the term “consubstantial with the Father,” at the insistence of the Emperor, confirming the truth of the divinity of Jesus Christ, Who assumed human nature for the redemption of all the human race. the Council of Nicea, Saint Constantine continued with his active role in the welfare of the Church. He accepted holy Baptism on his deathbed, having prepared for it all his whole life. Saint Constantine died on the day of Pentecost in the year 337 and was buried in the church of the Holy Apostles, in a crypt he had prepared for himself.

Rome, 276-282, Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Probus, Pagan, successful g, prosperity, Senate facade, d Germans, re fort
Roman Emperor, 276-282, Probus, Marcus Aurelius Probus; Aurelius Probus (19 August 232 -September 282) was Roman emperor from 276 to 282. Probus was an active and successful general as well as a conscientious administrator, and in his reign of six years he secured prosperity for the inner provinces while withstanding repeated invasions of barbarian tribes on almost every sector of the frontier.[6] repelling the foreign enemies of the empire Probus was forced to handle several internal revolts, but demonstrated leniency and moderation to the vanquished wherever possible.[7] In his reign the facade of the constitutional authority of the Roman Senate was fastidiously maintained, and the conqueror, who had carried his army to victory over the Rhine, professed himself dependent on the sanction of the Senate.[8] defeating the Germans, Probus re-erected the ancient fortifications of emperor Hadrian between the Rhine and Danube rivers, protecting the Agri Decumates,[9] and exacted from the vanquished a tribute of manpower to resettle depopulated provinces within the empire and provide for adequate defense of the frontiers.[10] Despite his widespread popularity, Probus was killed in a mutiny of the soldiers while in the middle of preparations for the Persian war, which would be carried out under his successor Carus.[11] St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; St Metrophanes the first Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on June 4;

Rome, 277-331, Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Greater Armenia
Armenia, 277-331, Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Greater Armenia; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Rome, 278-312, Clement and Agathangelus, Ancyra, Galatia, revelation 28 yr suffering, many places
Phrygia, 278-312, Clement and Agathangelus, Ancyra, Galatia, Phrygia (Ankara River 2), mother predicted martyr's death for him, raised by Sophia, famine, fed, clothed, taught unfortunates, many later martyrs, priest at 18, bishop at 20, 303 Diocletian P, preserved and healed, to rome and D, prison transformed to church, to nicomedia and M, joined by Agathangelus, to Agrippa, pagans stoned torturers, set free, multitudes, sent home to Ancrya, to Amasea, hot lime whole day unharmed, to Tarsus, revelation 28 yrs suffer, A beheaded, C freed, cave church service beheading ; Ancyra; Phrygia, 278-312, Saint Clement of Ancyra; Clement, Bishop of Ancyra or simply Clement of Ancyra (c. 258-312) (born in Ancyra present-day Turkey) a bishop who served during the rule of Roman emperor Diocletian. He was arrested by Roman authorities and tried by Diocletian. Emperor Diocletian attempted to convert Clement to Paganism but Clement refused and withstood tremendous torture. was eventually beheaded by a Roman soldier whilst he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the year 312.[1] He is venerated on 23 January according to the Gregorian calendar and on 5 February according to the Julian calendar in some Eastern Orthodox countries together with his disciple Agathangelus of Rome. relics are in the saint's altar in the basilica of Our Lady of Trapani in Trapani.[2] Saint Clement Church is the only structure survived from the Byzantine era in Ankara.[3] Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23 ; Hieromartyr Clement was born in the Galatian city of Ancyra in the year 258, of a pagan father and a Christian mother. He lost his father when he was an infant, and his mother when he was twelve. She predicted a martyr’s death for him because of his belief in Christ. woman named Sophia adopted him and raised him in the fear of God. During a terrible famine in Galatia several pagans turned out their own children, not having the means to feed them. Sophia took in these unfortunates, and fed and clothed them. Saint Clement assisted her in this. He taught the children and prepared them for Baptism. Many of them died as martyrs for Christ. Clement was made a reader, and later a deacon. When he was eighteen he was ordained to the holy priesthood, and at age twenty he was consecrated Bishop of Ancyra. Soon afterwards the persecution against Christians under Diocletian (284-305) broke out. Clement was denounced as a Christian and arrested. Dometian, the governor of Galatia, tried to make the saint worship the pagan gods, but Saint Clement firmly confessed his faith and valiantly withstood all the tortures. suspended him on a tree, and raked his body with sharp iron instruments so that his entrails could be seen. They smashed his mouth with stones, and they turned him on a wheel and burned him over a low fire. The Lord preserved His sufferer and healed his lacerated body. Dometian sent the saint to Rome to the emperor Diocletian himself, with a report that Bishop Clement had been fiercely tortured, but had proven unyielding. Diocletian, seeing the martyr completely healthy, did not believe the report and subjected him to even crueler tortures, and then had him locked up in prison. of the pagans, seeing the bravery of the saint and the miraculous healing of his wounds, believed in Christ. People flocked to Saint Clement in prison for guidance, healing and Baptism, so that the prison was literally transformed into a church. When word of this reached the emperor, many of these new Christians were executed. struck by the amazing endurance of Saint Clement, sent him to Nicomedia to his co-emperor Maximian. On the ship, the saint was joined by his disciple Agathangelus, who had avoided being executed with the other confessors, and who now wanted to suffer and die for Christ with Bishop Clement. emperor Maximian in turn sent Saints Clement and Agathangelus to the governor Agrippina, who subjected them to such inhuman torments, that even the pagan on-lookers felt pity for the martyrs and they began to pelt the torturers with stones. been set free, the saints healed an inhabitant of the city through the laying on of hands and they baptized and instructed people, thronging to them in multitudes. Arrested again on orders of Maximian, they were sent home to Ancyra, where the ruler Cyrenius had them tortured. Then they were sent to the city of Amasea to the proconsul Dometius, known for his great cruelty. Amasea, the martyrs were thrown into hot lime. They spent a whole day in it and remained unharmed. They flayed them, beat them with iron rods, set them on red-hot beds, and poured sulfur on their bodies. All this failed to harm the saints, and they were sent to Tarsus for new tortures. In the wilderness along the way Saint Clement had a revelation that he would suffer a total of twenty-eight years for Christ. Then having endured a multitude of tortures, the saints were locked up in prison. Agathangelus was beheaded with the sword on November 5. The Christians of Ancyra freed Saint Clement from prison and took him to a cave church. There, after celebrating Liturgy, the saint announced to the faithful the impending end of the persecution and his own martyrdom. On January 23, the holy hierarch was killed by soldiers from the city, who stormed the church. The saint was beheaded as he stood before the altar and offered the Bloodless Sacrifice. Two deacons, Christopher and Chariton, were beheaded with him, but no one else was harmed.

Rome, 280-290, Rhipsime or Hripsime, beautiful and modest, wanted by diocledian&tridates, she suffered for virginity
Armenia, 280-290, Rhipsime orHripsime; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Ripsimia suffered martyrdom in the year 292, during the reign of Diocletian (284-304). was very beautiful in terms of her outward appearance, and modest in her In those days, Diocletian sent men throughout the Empire to find a maiden fairer than all others for him to marry. They found Saint Ripsimia, who had consecrated her virginity to Christ, and was living in a community of women in Asia Minor, of which Saint Gaiane was the Superior. The messengers had a portrait of Ripsimia made and sent it to Diocletian. Emperor was captivated by her beauty, and he sent her a letter, asking her to be his wife. Ripsimia, who had Christ as her heavenly Bridegroom, did not want to marry anyone else. Therefore, the nuns decided to take refuge in Arnenia. On the way, they endured hunger, thirst, and many other trials. settled in a vineyard on the slopes of Mount Ararat, and the stronger women would go into the city to work for people in order to earn money to purchase food and other necessities. All the women were willing to endure exile, and to bear every burden and sorrow for the sake of purity. Diocletian was informed that Ripsimia had fled to Armenia, he wrote to his friend King Tiridates saying, "If you find her, send her to me, or, if you wish, marry her yourself." sent his men to search for Ripsimia, and when they found her they surrounded the area so that she could not escape. When he learned how beautiful she was, Tiridates sent her presents and raiment worthy of a queen, so that she might appear before him in a suitable fashion. however, acting in accordance with the instructions of Saint Gaiane, who had raised her from childhood, rejected these gifts and refused to go to the King. Saint Gaiane told the messengers that these virgins were already betrothed to Christ, and that it was impossible for them to enter into an earthly marriage. the messengers told Tiridates what had happened, he became very angry. He sent one of his princes and an army of soldiers to kill all the virgins and to bring Ripsimia to him by force. she saw the soldiers approach the virgins with drawn swords, Saint Ripsimia told the Prince, "Take me to your King, but do not harm these virgins." Ripsimia was taken to the royal bedchamber, weeping and praying that God would preserve her virginity. Recalling how He had helped His servants in the past, how He saved Israel from Pharoah's hands, keeping Jonah in the belly of the whale for three days, and how He protected the Three Holy Youths in the fiery furnace, she believed that He would also rescue her from Tiridates. the King entered the chamber he attempted to rape her, but with God's help she became stronger than Tiridates, and he was not able to harm her. the chamber, the King commanded that Saint Gaiane be brought to him, since he had discovered that she had raised Ripsimia. The King told her to persuade Ripsimia to submit to him, but when the Eldress spoke to her she counseled her to preserve her virginity, which she had dedicated to Christ, and to remember the crown which her Bridegroom had prepared for her. Finally, she said that if the King should put her to death, she would enjoy even greater favor from Christ. that he had accomplished nothing, even though he had struggled with Ripsimia for a long time, the King began to tremble and roll around on the floor. night, Saint Ripsimia escaped and fled from the city. She found the sisters and told them how she had remained undefiled. next morning some soldiers found Ripsimia and arranged a cruel death for her. First they cut out her tongue, stripped her, tied her hands and feet to columns, and burned her with candles. Then they tore her stomach open with a sharp stone, so that her entrails fell out. Finally, they plucked her eyes out and cut off her members. Having completed her contest, she departed to Christ, the bestower of crowns. Eldress Gaiane and two other virgins suffered even greater torments. The pagans drilled through their legs, suspended them upside down, and skinned them alive. Cutting their necks from behind, they pulled their tongues out and cut them off. Next, their stomachs were cut with sharp stones so that their entrails fell to the ground. Finally, they were beheaded. other Virgin Martyrs (some sources say there were thirty-five) suffered horrible tortures, and died by the sword, then their bodies were thrown to the wild animals. addition to these holy women, seventy men who were hiding in that area also suffered martyrdom. St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14;

Rome, 282-283, Emperor, Carus, success against Germans and Sarmatians, Lightning strike while against Sassanids
Roman Emperor, 282-283, Carus ; Aurelius Carus (c. 222 – July or August 283) was Roman emperor from 282 to 283, and was 60 at ascension. During his short reign, Carus fought the Germanic tribes and Sarmatians along the Danube frontier with success. died while campaigning against the Sassanid Empire and is believed to have died of unnatural causes, as it was reported that he had been struck by lightning.[3] He was succeeded by his sons Carinus and Numerian, creating a dynasty which, though short-lived, provided further stability to the resurgent empire. Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332) ; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Rome, 283-284, Emperor, Carinus, Pagan then Christian after healing
Roman Emperor, 282-284, Carinus ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Holy Wonderworking Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian at Rome, Commemorated on July 1 ;

Rome, 284-305, Marina of Antioch, Pisidia, daughter of Pagan Priest, burns, water, divine light, healed, 15,000 martyred
Lykaonia, Pisidai, 284-305, Greatmartyr Marina of Antioch, Pisidia, Turkish Lakes, Major Intersection, daughter of Pagan Priest, Christian nurse, tortured beaten nails tridents, heavenly aid, burns, water of baptism, divine light, dove, golden crown, fetters removed, completely healed, 15,000 martyred; Antioch in Pisidia; Greatmartyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia, Commemorated July 17 ; Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch of Pisidia (southern Asia Minor), into the family of a pagan priest. infancy she lost her mother, and her father gave her into the care of a nursemaid, who raised Marina in the Orthodox Faith. learning that his daughter had become a Christian, the father angrily disowned her. the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), when she was fifteen years old, Saint Marina was arrested and locked up in prison. firm trust in the will of God and His help, the young prisoner prepared for her impending fate. governor Olymbrios, charmed with the beautiful girl, tried to persuade her to renounce the Christian Faith and become his wife. the saint, unswayed, refused his offers. vexed governor gave the holy martyr over to torture. Having beaten her fiercely, they fastened the saint with nails to a board and tore at her body with tridents. governor himself, unable to bear the horror of these tortures, hid his face in his hands. the holy martyr remained unyielding. for the night into prison, she was granted heavenly aid and healed of her wounds. stripped her and tied her to a tree, then burned the martyr with fire. alive, the martyr prayed: “Lord, You have granted me to go through fire for Your Name, grant me also to go through the water of holy Baptism.” the word “water”, the governor gave orders to drown the saint in a large cauldron. The martyr besought the Lord that this manner of execution should become for her holy Baptism. they plunged her into the water, there suddenly shone a light, and a snow-white dove came down from Heaven, bearing in its beak a golden crown. fetters put upon Saint Marina came apart by themselves. martyr stood up in the fount of Baptism glorifying the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Marina emerged from the fount completely healed, without any trace of burns. at this miracle, the people glorified the True God, and many came to believe. brought the governor into a rage, and he gave orders to kill anyone who might confess the Name of Christ. Christians perished there, and the holy Martyr Marina was beheaded. sufferings of the Great Martyr Marina were described by an eyewitness of the event, named Theotimos. until the taking of Constantinople by Western crusaders in the year 1204, the relics of the Great Martyr Marina were in the Panteponteia monastery. to other sources, they were located in Antioch until the year 908 and from there transferred to Italy. they are in Athens, in a church dedicated to the holy Virgin Martyr. venerable hand was transferred to Mount Athos, to the Batopedi monastery.

Rome, 284-305, Orentios, Thrace, Bulgaria, Orentios killed Hun leader, honors, refused w, brothers exiled Georgia, died on trip
Bulgaria, 284-305, Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Militarius, Via Egnatia, Maritza River 8), Orentios killed Scythian (Hun) leader, honors but asked to sac to idols, refused, brothers detained, exiled to Caucasus, all died on trip ; Thrace; Seven Martyred Brothers: Orentius, Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Cyriacus, and Longinus, in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24; Orentios, Pharnakios, Erotas, Phirmos, Phirminos, Kyriakos, and Longinus were brothers, who were known for their courage and served as soldiers in Thrace during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. a battle with the Scythians, Saint Orentios killed their fierce and intrepid leader, Mararon. He received many honors for this achievement, but then he was asked to participate in a sacrifice that was being offered to the idols in thanksgiving for his victory. The Christian hero absolutely refused to do this, declaring that he had defeated his foe by the power of Jesus Christ, whom he worshiped as the one true God. They did not punish him right away, because of his bravery, but he and his brothers were detained. some time, they were questioned. All seven declared, as with one mouth, that they would remain faithful to Christ until their last breath, and that the Savior would judge them on the Last Day. After saying this, they were sentenced to exile in the Caucasus. after another, the seven brothers died on the journey from their hardships and suffering. but they endured their afflictions without complaint. Erotas was the first to depart this life; he perished at Parembol on June 22. Next, Orentios was thrown into the sea with a stone tied around his neck. Pharnakios reposed on July 3 at Kordila. Phirmos and Phirminos received their heavenly crowns on July 7 at Aspara on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. Kyriakos went to the Lord on July 14 at Ziganeia, and Longinus gave his soul into God's hands on July 28 while on board a ship. The storm-tossed vessel went aground at Pitinda (Pitsnda), and so the last holy martyr was buried there. pray to these holy martyrs to protect us from our enemies. In Greek usage these saints are commemorated on June 25.

Rome, 284-305, Athanasia and her three young daughters, Edessa, Armenia, Saints Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure
Armenia, 284-305, Athanasia and her three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven, Edessa, Armenia (Intersection and Euphrates River 3), Saints Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them; Edessa, Syria; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31 ; the city of Edessa at this time lived the soldier John, a pious Christian. When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and there he heard about Saint Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When Saint John finally found Saint Cyrus, he remained with him and became his faithful follower. learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Saints Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women might renounce Christ. Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Saints Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Saints Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.

Rome, 283-284, Emperor, Numerian, died after sharing power with his brother Carinus
Roman Emperor, 283-284, Numerian ; (3] died 20 November 284) was Roman emperor from 283 to 284 with his older brother Carinus. They were sons of Carus, a general raised to the office of praetorian prefect under Emperor Probus in 282.[4] 1 Early life and Carus' reign 1.1 Numerian and Carinus as Augusti 1.2 After Numerian's death 2 Character 3 Family tree 4 Citations 5 References 5.1 Primary sources 5.2 Secondary sources 6 External links life and Carus' reign[edit] was the younger son of Carus.[4] In 282, the legions of the upper Danube in Raetia and Noricum proclaimed as emperor Numerian's father, the praetorian prefect Marcus Aurelius Carus, after a mutiny against the emperor Probus, in which the latter was killed.[5][6] By one account, Carus had himself rebelled against the emperor, and Probus' army, stationed in Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), decided they did not wish to fight Carus and assassinated their emperor instead.[7] According to the Historia Augusta and the view accepted by Gibbon, Carus was not responsible for Probus's death, and inflicted severe punishment upon the murderers.[8] Carus, already sixty, wished to establish a dynasty[9] and immediately elevated Carinus and Numerian to the rank of Caesar.[10] 283, Carus left Carinus in charge of the West and moved with Numerian and his praetorian prefect Arrius Aper to the East to wage war against the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids had been embroiled in a succession dispute since the death of Shapur and were in no position to oppose Carus' advance.[11][12] to Zonaras, Eutropius, and Festus, Carus won a major victory against the Persians, taking Seleucia and the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon (near modern Al-Mada'in, Iraq), cities on opposite banks of the Tigris.[13] In celebration, Numerian, Carus, and Carinus all took the title Persici maximi.[14] Carus died in July or early August of 283,[4] allegedly due to a strike of lightning.[15] and Carinus as Augusti[edit] death of Carus left Numerian and Carinus as the new Augusti. Carinus quickly made his way to Rome from Gaul, arriving in January 284, while Numerian lingered in the East.[16] The Roman retreat from Persia was orderly and unopposed, for the Persian King, Bahram II, was still struggling to establish his authority.[17] March 284, Numerian had only reached Emesa (Homs) in Syria; by November, only Asia Minor.[18] In Emesa he was apparently still alive and in good health, as he issued the only extant rescript in his name there.[19] Coins were issued in his name in Cyzicus at some time before the end of 284, but it is impossible to know whether he was still in the public eye by that point.[20] Emesa, Numerian's staff, including the prefect Aper, reported that Numerian suffered from an inflammation of the eyes and had to travel in a closed coach.[21] When the army reached Bithynia,[16] or Thrace,[22] some of Numerian's soldiers smelled an odor reminiscent of a decaying corpse emanating from the coach.[17] They opened its curtains and found Numerian dead.[23] Gibbon, however, dismisses with derision the report of the stench of Numerian's decay: "Could no aromatics be found in the Imperial house-hold?"[24] Numerian's death[edit] officially broke the news of Numerian's death in Nicomedia (Ä°zmit) in November 284,[25] though Gibbon represents the occurrence of this event at Heraclea, in Thrace, and the discovery, which the prefect attempted to conceal, as due to the forwardness of the soldiery, who forced open the Imperial tent to investigate for themselves the situation of their invisible monarch.[26] Numerian's generals and tribunes called a council for the succession, which met at Chalcedon across the Bosphorus, where they chose as emperor Diocletian, commander of the cavalry arm of the imperial bodyguard,[27] despite Aper's attempts to garner support.[25] The army of the east unanimously saluted their new Augustus. Diocletian accepted the purple imperial vestments and raised his sword to the light of the sun, swearing an oath denying responsibility for Numerian's death. He asserted that Aper had killed Numerian and concealed the deed. In full view of the army, Diocletian then turned and killed Aper, who had been hauled bound before the assembly.[28][29] to the Historia Augusta, Numerian was a man of considerable literary attainments, remarkably amiable, and known as a great orator and poet. Allegedly, the senate raised him a statue, inscribed To the most powerful of orators.[30] St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Martyr Chrysanthus and those with him at Rome, Commemorated on March 19; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Thallelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia, Commemorated on May 20; ALBAN, FIRST MARTYR OF BRITAIN (22 JUNE 304); Holy Wonderworking Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian at Rome, Commemorated on July 1; Martyr Felix of Apollonia in Macedonia, Commemorated July 6 ;

Rome, 284-305, Emperor, Maximian Hercules, Western Half
Roman Emperor, 284-305, Maximian ; Martyr Bianor of Pisidia, Commemorated on July 10; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; Greatmartyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia, Commemorated July 17 ; Hieromartyr Hermolaus at Nicomedia, Commemorated July 26 ; Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon, Commemorated July 27 ; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania, Commemorated on August 11; Hieromartyr Emilian, Commemorated on August 18 ; Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Timothy of Palestine, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; Martyr Lupus the Slave of St Demetrius of Thessalonica, Commemorated on August 23 ; Martyr Tation (Tatio) of Claudiopolis, Commemorated on August 24; Hieromartyr Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Theophilus the Deacon of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 3 ; Martyr Theodore of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 4 ; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Sozon of Cilicia, Commemorated September 7 ; Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy, Commemorated September 12 ; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on September 16 ; Martyr Epicharis of Rome, Commemorated on September 27; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30 ; Martyr Dasius at Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2; Hieromartyr Cyprian of Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2 ; Martyr Sergius in Syria, Commemorated on October 7; Venerable Thais of Egypt, Commemorated on October 8; Martyr Eulampius at Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 10 ; Martyr Domnina of Anazarbus, Commemorated on October 12 ; Martyr Tarachus at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 12; Hieromartyr Silvanus of Gaza, Commemorated on October 14; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15; Martyr Marinus the Elder at Anazarbus, Commemorated on October 18; Blessed Cleopatra with her son in Egypt, Commemorated on October 19; Martyr Varus, Commemorated on October 19; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated on October 25; Holy, Glorious Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 26; Martyr Lupus, Commemorated on October 26; Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 27; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Hieromartyr Zenobius of Aegae in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 30; 33 Holy Martyrs of Melitene, Commemorated on November 7; Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, Commemorated on November 9; Martyr Onesiphorus of Ephesus, Commemorated on November 9; Martyr Orestes of Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 10; Martyr Menas of Egypt, Commemorated on November 11; Martyr Vincent of Spain, Commemorated on November 11; Martyr Antoninus of Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 13 ; Martyr and Confessor Gurias of Edessa, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Zacchaeus the Deacon of Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 18; Martyr Azes of Isauria, Commemorated on November 19; Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Eustathius of Nicea, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Sisinius the Bishop of Cyzicus, Commemorated on November 23; Hieromartyr Peter the Archbishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Irenarchus at Sebaste, Commemorated on November 28; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller of Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated on December 5 ; St Crispina, Commemorated on December 5; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on December 7; LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR, abt. 304, Commemorated December 13; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated on December 13; Virginmartyr Lucy of Syracuse, Commemorated on December 13; Martyr Apollonius of Alexandria, Commemorated on December 14; Martyr Sebastian at Rome, and his companions, Commemorated on December 18; Martyr Boniface at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19; Righteous Aglaida (Aglae) of Rome, Commemorated on December 19; St Philogonius the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; Virginmartyr Juliana of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 21; Greatmartyr Anastasia the œDeliverer from PotionsÂ, Commemorated on December 22; Martyr Chrysogonus the Teacher of the Greatmartyr Anastasia, Commemorated on December 22; Martyr Theodota who suffered under Diocletian, Commemorated on December 22; 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 28; Martyr Philetairus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 30; Virginmartyr Anysia at Thessalonica, Commemorated on December 30; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1; Zisimus of Martyrs Zosimus the Hermit and Athanasius the Commentarisius (Superintendent of Prisoners), Anchorites, of Cilicia, Commemorated on January 4; Hieromartyr Theopemptus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 5; Martyr Julian at Antinoe in Egypt, Commemorated on January 8; St Carterius of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 8; Martyr Mertius of Mauretania, Commemorated on January 12; Martyr Peter Apselamus of Palestine, Commemorated on January 12; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Virginmartyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 19; Martyr Bassus at Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 20; AGNES OF ROME, MARTYR (21 JAN 304) ; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated on January 21; Virginmartyr Agnes of Rome, Commemorated on January 21; VINCENT OF SARAGOSSA, DEACON AND MARTYR (22 JAN 304); Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23 ; Presbyter Ananias in Phoenicia, Commemorated on January 26; Martyr Romanus at Samosata, Commemorated on January 29; Martyr Athanasia and her daughters at Canopus in Egypt, Commemorated on January 31 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31; Martyr Helladius in Cilicia, Commemorated on February 5; Martyr Helladius in Cilicia, Commemorated on February 5; Martyr Theodula of Anazarbus in Cilicia, Commemorated on February 5; Virginmarty Fausta at Cyzicus, Commemorated on February 6 ; Virginmartyr Dorothy at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on February 6; 1,003 Martyrs of Nicomedia, Commemorated on February 7 ; Martyr Aule, Commemorated on February 7; Hieromartyr Blaise the Bishop of Sebaste, Commemorated on February 11; Venerable Paphnutius of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 15; Martyr Pamphilius the Presbyter at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on February 16 ; Martyr Victor of Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18 ; St Agapitus the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18; Martyr Antonina of Nicea, in Bithynia, Commemorated on March 1; Martyr Eudokia of Heliopolis, Commemorated on March 1; Martyr Agapius at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on March 15; Martyr Nicander of Egypt, Commemorated on March 15 ; Hieromartyr Trophimus of Laodicea, Commemorated on March 16 ; Martyr Sabinus of Egypt, Commemorated on March 16; Martyr Trophimus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 18 ; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Irenaeus the Bishop of Sirmium in Hungary, Commemorated on March 26; Martyr Manuel, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Agathopodes the Deacon, and those with him, at Thessalonica, Commemorated on April 5; St Platonida (Platonis) of Nisibis, Syria, Commemorated on April 6; Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7 ; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Virginmartyr Agape in Thessalonica, Commemorated on April 16 ; Martyr Victor of Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 18; Hieromartyr Paphnutius of Jerusalem, Commemorated on April 19; Martyr Christopher at Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 19; Hieromartyr Januarius the Bishop of Benevento, and his companions, at Pozzuoli, Commemorated on April 21; Martyr Isaac of Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 21; GEORGE, SOLDIER and MARTYR, 23 APRIL 303; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23; Martyr Eusebius and Others, at Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28 ; Martyr Diodorus the Deacon at Aphrodisias in Anatolia, Commemorated on April 29; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29; Hieromartyr Albian the Bishop of Anaea in Asia Minor, Commemorated on May 4; Hieromartyr Erasmus the Bishop of Formia in Campania, Commemorated on May 4; Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium, Commemorated on May 7; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13; Martyr Solochon at Chalcedon, Commemorated on May 17 ; Martyr Caluf of Egypt, Commemorated on May 19; Martyr Asclas of Egypt, Commemorated on May 20; Martyrs of Niculitsel, Commemorated on June 4; Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Eustochius of Ancyra, Commemorated on June 23; Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25; Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on July 8; Martyr Epictetus the Presbyter at Halmyris, Commemorated on July 8; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, Commemorated on July 9 ;

Rome, 284-305, Emperor, Diocletian, Eastern Half
Rome, 284-305, Emperor Diocletian ; Martyr Bianor of Pisidia, Commemorated on July 10; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; Hieromartyr Cindeus the Presbyter of Pamphylia, Commemorated on July 11; Martyr Julita (Ulita) of Tarsus, Commemorated on July 15 ; Greatmartyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia, Commemorated July 17 ; Martyr Trophimus and 14 Others in Lycia, Commemorated on July 23; Hieromartyr Hermolaus at Nicomedia, Commemorated July 26 ; Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon, Commemorated July 27 ; Martyr Theodota in Bithynia, Commemorated on July 29; Martyr Julitta at Caesarea, Commemorated July 31 ; Martyr Leontius of Perge in Pamphylia, Commemorated on August 1; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania, Commemorated on August 11; Martyr Anicetus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on August 12 ; Martyr Diomedes the Physician of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 16; Hieromartyr Emilian, Commemorated on August 18 ; Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Timothy of Palestine, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; St Felix of Spain, Commemorated August 22 ; Virginmartyr Eulalia of Barcelona, Commemorated on August 22; Martyr Lupus the Slave of St Demetrius of Thessalonica, Commemorated on August 23 ; Martyr Tation (Tatio) of Claudiopolis, Commemorated on August 24; 3,628 Martyrs who suffered at Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Hieromartyr Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Theophilus the Deacon of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 3 ; Martyr Theodore of Nicomedia, Commemorated September 4 ; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Sozon of Cilicia, Commemorated September 7 ; Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy, Commemorated September 12 ; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on September 16 ; Martyr Epicharis of Rome, Commemorated on September 27; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30 ; Martyr Dasius at Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2 ; Hieromartyr Cyprian of Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2 ; Martyr Charitina of Amisus, Commemorated on October 5; Martyr Sergius in Syria, Commemorated on October 7; Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus, Commemorated on October 7; Venerable Thais of Egypt, Commemorated on October 8; Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch, Commemorated on October 8; Martyr Eulampius at Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 10 ; Martyr Tarachus at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 12; Hieromartyr Silvanus of Gaza, Commemorated on October 14; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15; Martyr Marinus the Elder at Anazarbus, Commemorated on October 18; Blessed Cleopatra with her son in Egypt, Commemorated on October 19; Martyr Varus, Commemorated on October 19; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated on October 25; Holy, Glorious Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 26; Martyr Lupus, Commemorated on October 26; Greatmartyr Parasceva of Iconium, Commemorated on October 28; Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica, Commemorated on October 30; Hieromartyr Zenobius of Aegae in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 30; 33 Holy Martyrs of Melitene, Commemorated on November 7; Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, Commemorated on November 9; Martyr Onesiphorus of Ephesus, Commemorated on November 9; Martyr Orestes of Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 10; Martyr Menas of Egypt, Commemorated on November 11; Martyr Vincent of Spain, Commemorated on November 11; Martyr Antoninus of Casarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 13 ; Martyr and Confessor Gurias of Edessa, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Zacchaeus the Deacon of Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 18; Martyr Azes of Isauria, Commemorated on November 19; Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Eustathius of Nicea, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Sisinius the Bishop of Cyzicus, Commemorated on November 23; Hieromartyr Peter the Archbishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Irenarchus at Sebaste, Commemorated on November 28; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller of Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated on December 5 ; St Crispina, Commemorated on December 5; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on December 7; LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR, abt. 304, Commemorated December 13; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated on December 13; Virginmartyr Lucy of Syracuse, Commemorated on December 13; Martyr Apollonius of Alexandria, Commemorated on December 14; Martyr Sebastian at Rome, and his companions, Commemorated on December 18; Martyr Boniface at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19; Righteous Aglaida (Aglae) of Rome, Commemorated on December 19; St Philogonius the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; Virginmartyr Juliana of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 21; Greatmartyr Anastasia the œDeliverer from Potions, Commemorated on December 22; Martyr Chrysogonus the Teacher of the Greatmartyr Anastasia, Commemorated on December 22; Martyr Theodota who suffered under Diocletian, Commemorated on December 22; 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 28; Martyr Philetairus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 30; Virginmartyr Anysia at Thessalonica, Commemorated on December 30; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1; Zisimus of Martyrs Zosimus the Hermit and Athanasius the Commentarisius (Superintendent of Prisoners), Anchorites, of Cilicia, Commemorated on January 4; Hieromartyr Theopemptus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 5; Martyr Julian at Antinoe in Egypt, Commemorated on January 8; St Carterius of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 8; Martyr Mertius of Mauretania, Commemorated on January 12; Martyr Peter Apselamus of Palestine, Commemorated on January 12; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Virginmartyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 19; Martyr Bassus at Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 20; AGNES OF ROME, MARTYR (21 JAN 304) ; Virginmartyr Agnes of Rome, Commemorated on January 21; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated on January 21; VINCENT OF SARAGOSSA, DEACON AND MARTYR (22 JAN 304); Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23 ; Martyr Theodotion of Egypt, Commemorated on January 24; Presbyter Ananias in Phoenicia, Commemorated on January 26; Martyr Romanus at Samosata, Commemorated on January 29; Martyr Athanasia and her daughters at Canopus in Egypt, Commemorated on January 31 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31; Martyr Helladius in Cilicia, Commemorated on February 5 ; Martyr Theodula of Anazarbus in Cilicia, Commemorated on February 5; Virginmarty Fausta at Cyzicus, Commemorated on February 6; Virginmartyr Dorothy at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on February 6; 1,003 Martyrs of Nicomedia, Commemorated on February 7 ; Martyr Aule, Commemorated on February 7; Hieromartyr Blaise the Bishop of Sebaste, Commemorated on February 11; Venerable Paphnutius of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 15; Martyr Pamphilius the Presbyter at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on February 16 ; Martyr Victor of Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18 ; St Agapitus the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18; Martyr Antonina of Nicea, in Bithynia, Commemorated on March 1; Hieromartyr Capiton of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; Martyr Agapius at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on March 15; Martyr Nicander of Egypt, Commemorated on March 15 ; Hieromartyr Trophimus of Laodicea, Commemorated on March 16 ; Martyr Sabinus of Egypt, Commemorated on March 16; Martyr Trophimus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 18 ; Martyr Pancharius at Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 19; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Irenaeus the Bishop of Sirmium in Hungary, Commemorated on March 26; Martyr Manuel, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Agathopodes the Deacon, and those with him, at Thessalonica, Commemorated on April 5; St Platonida (Platonis) of Nisibis, Syria, Commemorated on April 6; Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7 ; Martyr Crescens of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on April 13; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Virginmartyr Agape in Thessalonica, Commemorated on April 16 ; Martyr Victor of Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 18; Hieromartyr Paphnutius of Jerusalem, Commemorated on April 19; Martyr Anthony at Rome, Commemorated on April 19; Martyr Christopher at Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 19; Hieromartyr Januarius the Bishop of Benevento, and his companions, at Pozzuoli, Commemorated on April 21; Martyr Isaac of Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 21; GEORGE, SOLDIER and MARTYR, 23 APRIL 303; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23; Martyr Eusebius and Others, at Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28 ; Martyr Diodorus the Deacon at Aphrodisias in Anatolia, Commemorated on April 29; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29; Martyr Timothy the Reader and his wife in Egypt, Commemorated on May 3; Hieromartyr Albian the Bishop of Anaea in Asia Minor, Commemorated on May 4; Hieromartyr Erasmus the Bishop of Formia in Campania, Commemorated on May 4; Hieromartyr Silvanus the Bishop of Gaza, and with him 40 Martyrs, Commemorated on May 4 ; Virginmartyr Pelagia of Tarsus, in Asia Minor, Commemorated on May 4; Hieromartyr Mocius the Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on May 11; Martyr Pancratius, Commemorated on May 12; Martyr Vitus at Lucania, Commemorated on May 16; Martyr Caluf of Egypt, Commemorated on May 19; Glorification of the Venerable Zabulon, the father of St Nino Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on May 20; Martyr Asclas of Egypt, Commemorated on May 20; Hieromartyr Therapon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 25; Virginmartyr Theodora of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 27 ; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Virginmartyr Archelais Beheaded at Salerno, Commemorated on June 6; Hieromartyr Marcellinus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Kyriake of Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Priscilla of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Venerable Onuphrius the Great, Commemorated on June 12; Martyr Antonina of Nicea, Commemorated on June 13; Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria, Commemorated on June 13 ; Martyr Modestus at Lucania, Commemorated on June 15; Hieromartyr Methodius the Bishop of Patara, Commemorated on June 20; Martyr Julian of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on June 21 ; ALBAN, FIRST MARTYR OF BRITAIN (22 JUNE 304); Martyr Zeno of Philadelphia, Commemorated on June 22 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25; Hieromartyr Theodore the Bishop of Cyrene in Libya, Commemorated July 4 ; Martyr Lucy at Rome, Commemorated on July 6; Martyrs at Rome, Commemorated on July 6; Martyr Evangelicus the Bishop of Tomis, Constanta in Romania, Commemorated on July 7 ; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, Commemorated on July 7; Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on July 8; Martyr Epictetus the Presbyter at Halmyris, Commemorated on July 8; Hieromartyr Cyril the Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, Commemorated on July 9 ;

Rome, 284-305, Antonina of Nicea, Diocletian Persecution, Angels scared excutnrs, unharmed by hot metal bed, in lake in sack
Bithynia, 284-305, Antonina of Nicea, Bithynia (on Lake Ascanius in Lower Sakarya), Diocletian Persecution, Angels scared executioners, unharmed by hot metal bed, into lake in sack; Nicea (Nicaea); Martyr Antonina of Nicea, in Bithynia, Commemorated on March 1; Holy Martyr Antonina suffered at Nicea during a persecution under the emperor Maximian (284-305). After fierce tortures, Saint Antonina was thrown into prison, but Maximian could not force the saint to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to idols. of God appeared to the holy martyr and the executioners took fright. Even when they placed her on a red-hot metal bed, Saint Antonina remained unharmed, by the power of God. Finally, after long torture they sewed the saint into a sack and sank it in a lake.

Rome, 284-305, Antonina of Nicea, Bithynia, survived fire, red hot plate, red hot rods into hands & feet
Bithynia, 284-305, Antonina of Nicea, Bithynia (on Lake Ascanius in Lower Sakarya), survived various tortures, burned, red hot plate, red hot rods bored into hands and feet; Nicea (Nicaea); Martyr Antonina of Nicea, Commemorated on June 13; Holy Martyr Antonina suffered during the third century under Diocletian (284-305) in the city of Nicea. tortured her in various ways: they burned her with fire, they put her on a red-hot plate, they bored into her hands and feet with red-hot rods and they threw her in prison, where she languished for two days. torments did not break Saint Antonina’s spirit, and to her very death she confessed her faith in Christ. They threw the holy martyr into the sea.

Rome, 284-305, Boniface, slave, cohabitation, wanted relics from East, grace radiant faces, church on his relics, miracles
Cilicia, 284-305, Boniface, Tarsus, Cilicia (Seyhan River Mouth), slave of rich roman woman, cohabitation, conscience, wanted relics in home for salvation, relics diminish sin, virtue prevails, bring back relics from east, to Tarsus, christians being tortured,with grace radiant faces, B asked to suffer with them, stripped, hung upside down, beat flesh from body, molten tar down throat, remained unharmed, caldron boiling tar, no harm, bedewed by an angel, tar burned torturers, beheaded, relics back to Rome, Aglaida build church on his relics, miracles there, she distrib wealth and went to monastery, she buried by Boniface; Tarsus; Martyr Boniface at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19 ; Holy Martyr Boniface was the slave of a rich young Roman woman named Aglaida (Aglae) and he dwelt with her in an iniquitous cohabitation. But they both felt the sting of conscience and they wanted somehow to be cleansed of their sin. And the Lord granted them the possibility to wash away their sin with their blood and to finish their life in repentance. learned that whoever keeps relics of the holy martyrs in the home and venerates them receives great help in gaining salvation. Under their influence, sin is diminished and virtue prevails. She arranged for Boniface to go to the East, where there was a fierce persecution against Christians, and she asked him to bring back the relics of some martyr, who would become a guide and protector for them. he was leaving, Boniface laughed and asked, “My lady, if I do not find any relics, and if I myself suffer for Christ, will you accept my body with reverence?” Aglaida scolded him, saying that he was setting off on a sacred mission, but he was not taking it seriously. Boniface pondered her words, and during the whole journey he thought that he was unworthy of touching the bodies of the martyrs. at Tarsus in Cilicia, Boniface left his companions at the inn and proceeded to the city square, where they were torturing Christians. Struck by the beastly horrible torments, and seeing the faces of the holy martyrs radiant with the grace of the Lord, Boniface marveled at their courage. He embraced them and kissed their feet, asking them to pray that he might be found worthy to suffer with them. judge asked Boniface who he was. He replied, “I am a Christian,” and then refused to offer sacrifice to idols. They stripped him and hung him upside down, beating him so hard that the flesh fell from his body, exposing the bone. They stuck needles under his nails, and finally they poured molten tin down his throat, but by the power of the Lord he remained unharmed. The people who witnessed this miracle shouted, “Great is the God of the Christians!” Then they began to throw stones at the judge, and then they headed for the pagan temple, in order to cast down the idols. the following morning, when things had quieted down somewhat, the judge directed that the holy martyr be thrown into a cauldron of boiling tar, but this also caused the sufferer no harm. An angel come down from Heaven and bedewed him as he stepped into the cauldron. The tar overflowed the cauldron, splattering and burning the torturers themselves. Saint Boniface was then sentenced to beheading by the sword. Blood and a milky fluid flowed from his wounds. Beholding such a miracle, about 550 men believed in Christ. Boniface’s companions, waiting for two days at the inn for him in vain, began searching for him, thinking that he had gotten drunk somewhere. At first their search was without success, but finally they came across a man who had been an eyewitness to the martyr’s death. The man also led them to the place where the decapitated body lay. Saint Boniface’s companions tearfully begged his forgiveness for their unseemly thoughts about him. After they ransomed the martyr’s remains, they brought them back to Rome. the eve of their arrival an angel appeared to Aglaida in her sleep and told her to prepare herself to receive her former slave, now the brother and fellow-servant of the angels. summoned the clergy, and she received the holy relics with great reverence. Then she built a church on the site of his grave and dedicated it to the holy martyr. There she enshrined his relics, glorified by numerous miracles. distributing all her wealth to the poor, she withdrew to a monastery, where she spent fifteen years in repentance, then fell asleep in the Lord. She was buried beside Saint Boniface. The sins of the one were washed away by his blood, the other was purified by her tears and asceticism. Both were found worthy to appear unsullied before our Lord Jesus Christ, Who desires not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11). pray to Saint Boniface for deliverance from drunkenness.

Rome, 284-305, Sebastian at Rome, shot with arrows, survived, clubbed to death, thrown into sewer, appeared
Gaul, 284-305, Sebastian at Rome, from Narbonum, Gaul, head imperial guards, brave, wise, honest, secret christian, converted healed many, shot with arrows, survived, clubbed to death, thrown into sewer, appeared to woman to have his body put in catacombs; Narbonum; Martyr Sebastian at Rome, and his companions, Commemorated December 18; Holy Martyr Sebastian was born in the city of Narbonum in Gaul (modern France), and he received his education at Mediolanum (now Milan). the co-reigning emperors Diocletian and Maximian (284-305) he occupied the position of head of the imperial guards. Sebastian was respected for his authority, and was loved by the soldiers and those at court. was a brave man filled with wisdom; his word was honest, his judgment just. He was insightful in advice and faithful in his service and in everything entrusted to him. was a secret Christian, not out of fear, but so that he could provide help to the brethren in a time of persecution. noble Christian brothers Marcellinus and Mark had been locked up in prison, and at first they firmly confessed the true Faith. under the influence of the tearful entreaties of their pagan parents (Tranquillinus and Marcia), and also their own wives and children, they began to waver in their intent to suffer for Christ. Sebastian went to the imperial treasurer, at whose house Marcellinus and Mark were held in confinement, and addressed the brothers who were on the verge of yielding to the entreaties of their family. “O valiant warriors of Christ! Do not cast away your everlasting crowns of victory because of the tears of your relatives. not remove your feet from the necks of your enemies who lie prostrate before you, lest they regain their strength and attack you more fiercely than before. your banner high over every earthly attachment. those whom you see weeping knew that there is another life where there is neither sickness nor death, where there is unceasing gladness and everything is beautiful, then assuredly they would wish to enter it with you. who fears to exchange this brief earthly life for the unending joys of the heavenly Kingdom is foolish indeed. For he who rejects eternity wastes the brief time of his existence, and will be delivered to everlasting torment in Hades.” Saint Sebastian said that if necessary, he would be willing to endure torment and death in order to show them how to give their lives for Christ. Saint Sebastian persuaded the brothers to go through with their act of martyrdom, and his speech stirred everyone present. They saw how his face shone like that of an angel, and they saw how seven angels clothed him in a radiant garment, and heard a fair Youth say, “You shall be with Me always.” the wife of the jailer Nicostratus, had lost her ability to speak six years previously. She fell down at the feet of Saint Sebastian, by her gestures imploring him to heal her. The saint made the Sign of the Cross over the woman, and she immediately began to speak and she glorified the Lord Jesus Christ. said that she had seen an angel holding an open book in which everything Saint Sebastian said was written. Then all who saw the miracle also came to believe in the Savior of the world. Nicostratus removed the chains from Marcellinus and Mark and offered to hide them, but the brothers refused. said, “Let them tear the flesh from our bodies with cruel torments. They can kill the body, but they cannot conquer the soul which contends for the Faith.” Nicostratus and his wife asked for Baptism, and Saint advised Nicostratus to serve Christ rather than the Eparch. He also told him to assemble the prisoners so that those who believed in Christ could be baptized. Nicostratus then requested his clerk Claudius to send all the prisoners to his house. Sebastian spoke to them of Christ, and became convinced that they were all inclined to be baptized. He summoned the priest Polycarp, who prepared them for the Mystery, instructing them to fast in preparation for Baptism that evening. Claudius informed Nicostratus that the Roman eparch Arestius Chromatus wanted to know why the prisoners were gathered at his house. told Claudius about the healing of his wife, and Claudius brought his own sick sons, Symphorian and Felix to Saint Sebastian. the evening the priest Polycarp baptized Tranquillinus with his relatives and friends, and Nicostratus and all his family, Claudius and his sons, and also sixteen condemned prisoners. The newly-baptized numbered 64 in all. before the eparch Chromatus, Nicostratus told him how Saint Sebastian had converted them to Christianity and healed many from sickness. The words of Nicostratus persuaded the eparch. summoned Saint Sebastian and the presbyter Polycarp, and was enlightened by them, and became a believer in Christ. Nicostratus and Chromatus, his son Tiburtius and all his household accepted holy Baptism. The number of the newly-enlightened increased to 1400. Upon becoming a Christian, Chromatus resigned his office of eparch. this time the Bishop of Rome was Saint Gaius (August 11). He blessed Chromatus to go to his estates in southern Italy with the priest Polycarp. Christians unable to endure martyrdom also went with them. Father Polycarp went to strengthen the newly-converted in the Faith. the son of Chromatus, desired to accept martyrdom and he remained in Rome with Saint Sebastian. Of those remaining, Saint Gaius ordained Tranquillinus as a presbyter, and his sons Marcellinus and Mark were ordained deacons. Nicostratus, his wife Zoe and brother Castorius, and Claudius, his son Symphorian and brother Victorinus also remained in Rome. They gathered for divine services at the court of the emperor together with a secret Christian named Castulus, but soon the time came for them to suffer for the Faith. pagans arrested Saint Zoe first, praying at the grave of the Apostle Peter. At the trial she bravely confessed her faith in Christ. She died, hung by her hair over the foul smoke from a great fire of dung. Her body then was thrown into the River Tiber. Appearing in a vision to Saint Sebastian, she told him about her death. priest Tranquillinus was the next to suffer: pagans pelted him with stones at the grave of the holy Apostle Peter, and his body was also thrown into the Tiber. Nicostratus, Castorius, Claudius, Victorinus, and Symphorian were seized at the riverbank, when they were searching for the bodies of the martyrs. They were led to the eparch, and the saints refused his command to offer sacrifice to idols. They tied stones to the necks of the martyrs and then drowned them in the sea. false Christian Torquatus betrayed Saint Tiburtius. When the saint refused to sacrifice to the idols, the judge ordered Tiburtius to walk barefoot on red-hot coals, but the Lord preserved him. Tiburtius walked through the burning coals without feeling the heat. The torturers then beheaded Saint Tiburtius, and his body was buried by unknown Christians. also betrayed the holy Deacons Marcellinus and Mark, and Saint Castulus (March 26). After torture, they threw Castulus into a pit and buried him alive, but Marcellinus and Mark had their feet nailed to the same tree stump. They stood all night in prayer, and in the morning they were stabbed with spears. Sebastian was the last one to be tortured. The emperor Diocletian personally interrogated him, and seeing the determination of the holy martyr, he ordered him taken out of the city, tied to a tree and shot with arrows. Irene, the wife of Saint Castulus, went at night in order to bury Saint Sebastian, but found him alive and took him to her home. Sebastian soon recovered from his wounds. Christians urged him to leave Rome, but he refused. Coming near a pagan temple, the saint saw the emperors approaching and he publicly denounced them for their impiety. ordered the holy martyr to be taken to the Circus Maximus to be executed. They clubbed Saint Sebastian to death, and cast his body into the sewer. holy martyr appeared to a pious woman named Lucina in a vision, and told her to take his body and bury it in the catacombs. This she did with the help of her slaves. Today his basilica stands on the site of his tomb.

Rome, 284-305, Azes of Isauria, Lykaonia, 150 Arresting Soldiers baptised after water sprung forth
Lykaonia, 284-305, Azes of Isauria, Lykaonia, 150 Arresting Soldiers baptised after water sprung forth; Isauria; Martyr Azes of Isauria, Commemorated November 19 ; Holy Martyr Azes and with him 150 Soldiers suffered at Isauria, in Asia Minor, under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). his confession of the Christian Faith, the saint was arrested and brought to trial before the eparch, Aquilinus. hundred and fifty soldiers had been sent to arrest the saint, but they were converted to the path of salvation and they accepted holy Baptism with water that sprang forth through the prayer of Saint Azes. martyr persuaded them to fulfill the commandment to obey those in authority, and therefore to bring him before the eparch. soldiers and the saint confessed their Christian faith before Aquilinus, and for this they were all beheaded. With them the eparch executed his own wife and daughter, who had come to believe in Christ, seeing the steadfastness of Saint Azes under torture.

Rome, 284-305, Eustratius at Sebaste, Armenia, Commander, historian, openly confessed, iron nail sandals, forced march
Armenia, 284-305, Eustratius at Sebaste, Armenia (Iris River Source, Kizilirmak River 1) Auxentius of Arabia, Commander Eustratius witnessed, historian, openly confessed, iron nail sandals, forced march, Mardarius, holes drilled in ankles, ropes, upside down, heated nails hammered, third hour prayer, Eugene, ripped out tongue, off hands & feet, beheaded, Orestes, red hot bead, frightened, encouraged, sign of cross, got in, died, Eustratius, burned alive, prayer for Sat. Midnight Office; Sebaste, Armenia ; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated December 13 ; Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes (the Five Companions) suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia. the first Christians imprisoned and undergoing torture at that time was Saint Auxentius, a presbyter of the Arabian Church. of those who witnessed the steadfastness of the Christians was the noble military commander Saint Eusthoratius, the city prefect of Satalios, and archivist of the province. He was secretly a Christian, and when he openly confessed his faith, he was subjected to torture. They beat him, and put iron sandals studded with sharp nails on his feet, then forced him to march to the city of Arabrak. the arrival of Saint Eustratius in Arabrak, one of the common people, Saint Mardarius, confessed that he was also a Christian like Saint Eustratius. He was arrested and cast into prison. Holes were drilled in his ankles, and ropes were passed them. He was suspended upside down, then heated nails were hammered into his body. He died a short time later. To him is attributed the prayer “O Master Lord God, Father Almighty ...” (which is read at the end of the Third Hour). for Saint Eugene, they ripped out his tongue, they cut off his hands and feet, and then they beheaded him with a sword. Saint Auxentius was also arrested and beheaded. The young soldier Saint Orestes confessed himself a Christian and stood trial for this “crime.” He was sentenced to be stretched out upon a red-hot iron bed, and became frightened when he approached it. Encouraged by Saint Eustratius, he made the Sign of the Cross and got onto the heated bed, where he surrendered his soul to God. Eustratius was sentenced to be burned alive on December 13. As he was being led to his death, he prayed aloud (“I magnify Thee exceedingly, O Lord, for Thou hast regarded my lowliness...”). This prayer is still read at the Saturday Midnight Office.

Rome, 284-305, Zacchaeus of Caesarea, Palestine, tortured with Alphaeus, Diocletian Persecution
Martyr Zacchaeus the Deacon of Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 18 ; Caesarea, Palestine ; Martyr Martyr Zacchaeus the Deacon of Caesarea in Palestine, Commemorated on November 18 ; Holy Martyrs Zacchaeus, Deacon of Gadara, and Alphaeus, Reader of Caesarea, suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). those arrested during the most fierce persecution against Christians was Saint Zacchaeus, a deacon of the Gadara church, who openly confessed his faith and did not renounce Christ under torture. Diocletian persecution was so fierce that many did not endure, and frightened of the tortures, they agreed to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Alphaeus, a reader of the church of Caesarea, zealous for the glory of God, approached a crowd of those fallen away from Christ on their way to offer pagan sacrifice. He urged them not to defile themselves with the impious sacrifices. arrested Saint Alphaeus and after tortures and torments they shackled him together with Saint Zacchaeus. They threw the martyrs into prison for the night, where they prayed continually, supporting one another in their resolve to endure all the sufferings for the name of Christ and thereby gain eternal life. The next morning, the holy Martyrs Zacchaeus and Alphaeus were beheaded for confessing Christ. The youth Barulus, Commemorated on November 18; Martyr Procopius the Reader at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on November 22 ;

Rome, 284-305, Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, Ephesus martyrs during Diocletian Persecution, beat, burned, dragged over stones
Rome, 284-305, Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, Ephesus Martyrs ; Ephesus; Martyr Onesiphorus of Ephesus, Commemorated on November 9 ; Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius of Ephesus suffered during the persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian (284-305). They beat them and burned them. After this, they tied the saints to wild horses, which dragged them over the stones, after which the Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius died. Believers gathered the remains of the saints and reverently buried them.

Rome, 284-305, Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, when told to offer he overturned idols, Angel came forth
Greece, 284-305, Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica; Thessalonica; Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, Commemorated on November 9 ; Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica was arrested by pagans for confessing the Christian Faith. Under the emperor Maximian (284-305) he not only admitted being a Christian, but when told to offer sacrifice to the gods, he overturned the idolatrous sacrifice in indignation. The emperor gave orders to behead the saint. the execution was done, the emperor and the executioner saw how an angel came forth bearing the soul of the holy Martyr Alexander up to the heavens. The emperor permitted Christians to bury the body of the saint with honor in the city of Thessalonica, which they did with joy.

Rome, 284-305, Hieron, M Melitene, pious, conscripted, physical strength, dexterity, resist, not r, beheaded, incorrupt r
Armenia, 284-305, Hieron and Martyrs of Melitene, Armenia; Malatya; 33 Holy Martyrs of Melitene, Commemorated on November 7; holy martyr Hieron was born in the city of Tiana in great Cappadocia. Raised by a pious mother, he was a kindly and good Christian. co-ruling emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (284-305) sent a large military detachment headed by Lysias to Cappadocia to eradicate Christianity there, and also to conscript healthy and strong men into the imperial army. Among those pressed into service, Lysias also ordered his men to draft Hieron, who was distinguished by his great physical strength and dexterity. But Hieron refused to servebe emperors who persecuted Christians. When they attempted to seize him by force and bring him to Lysias, he took a stick and started beating the soldiers who had been sent to bring him. The soldiers scattered, ashamed of being defeated by a single man. Hieron then hid himself in a cave with eighteen other Christians. Lysias would not risk losing his soldiers by storming the cave. the advice of Cyriacus, one of Hieron’s friends, Lysias lifted the siege of the cave and withdrew his detachment. Then Cyriacus persuaded Hieron not to offer resistance to the authorities. He and the other new conscripts and accompanying soldiers were sent to the nearby city of Melitene. Hieron had a vision in his sleep, in which his impending martyrdom was foretold. Lysias told the soldiers gathered at Melitene to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Hieron and another thirty-two soldiers refused to do this, and openly confessed their faith in Christ. Then the persecutor gave orders to beat the martyrs, and to cut off Hieron’s arm at the elbow. After cruel tortures they threw the martyrs into prison barely alive, and they beheaded them four days later. certain rich and illustrious Christian by the name of Chrysanthus ransomed Hieron’s head from Lysias. When the persecutions finally ceased, he built a church on the place where they executed the holy martyrs, and he placed the venerable head in it. The bodies of all the executed saints were secretly buried by Christians. In reign of the emperor Justinian, during the construction of the church of Hagia Eirene (Holy Peace), the venerable relics were uncovered and found incorrupt. other martyrs are: Hesychius, Nicander, Athanasius, Mamas, Barachius, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nikon, Longinus, Theodore, Valerius, Xanthius, Theodoulus, Callimachus, Eugene, Theodochus, Ostrychius, Epiphanius, Maximian, Ducitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodotus, Castrichius, Anicletus, Themelius, Eutychius, Hilarion, Diodotus and Amonitus.

Rome, 284-304, Saints, Cyprian and Justina, Pagan Priest Magician, Virgin bridegroom of Christ
Bithynia, 284-304, Saints, Cyprian and Justina; Cyprian and Justina are honored in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy as Christians of Antioch, who in 304, during the persecution of Diocletian, suffered martyrdom at Nicomedia (modern-day İzmit, Turkey) on September 26. According to Roman Catholic sources, no Bishop of Antioch bore the name of Cyprian.[1] story must have arisen as early as the 4th century, as it is mentioned by both St. Gregory Nazianzen and Prudentius; both, nevertheless, have conflated Cyprian with St. Cyprian of Carthage, a mistake often repeated. The attempt has been made to find in Cyprian a mystical prototype of the Faustian legend. The legend is given in Greek and Latin in Acta SS. September, VII. Ancient Syriac and Ethiopic versions of it have been published.[1] Their story is told in the Golden Legend. outline of the legend or allegory is found with diffuse descriptions and dialogues in the unreliable "Symeon Metaphrastes" and was made the subject of a poem by Empress Aelia Eudocia.[1] Saint Cyprian and the demon, 14th-century manuscript of the Golden Legend. known by the title of "the Magician", to distinguish him from Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, received a liberal education in his youth, and particularly applied himself to astrology; after which he traveled for improvement through Greece, Egypt, India, etc.[2] Cyprian was a magician in Antioch and dealt in sorcery. is known for converting Cyprian,[3] and is said to have been a young woman who took private vows of chastity. She was killed during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the year 304 AD. would-be suitor sought the aid of Cyprian's magic to induce Justina into marrying him. The charms and spells had no effect on Justina, who spent her time in prayer and fasting. Brought to despair, Cyprian made the Sign of the cross himself and in this way was freed from the toils of Satan. He was received into the Church, was made pre-eminent by miraculous gifts, and became in succession deacon, priest and, finally, bishop, while Justina became abbess of a convent.[4] the Diocletian Persecution, both were seized and taken to Damascus, where they were tortured. As their faith never wavered, they were brought before Diocletian at Nicomedia, where at his command they were beheaded[4] on the bank of the Gallus River, a tributary of the Sakarya River. The same fate befell a man named Theoctistus, who upon observing Cyprian's faith, declared himself a Christian.[4] After the bodies of the saints had lain unburied for six days, they were taken by Christian sailors to Rome, where they were interred on the estate of a noble lady named Rufina and later entombed in Constantine's basilica. is mentioned in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. It was under the 10th Persecution in 303 AD while Diocletian was Emperor of Rome. It says: " In the course of time he [Cyprian] became acquainted with Justina, a young lady of Antioch, whose birth, beauty, and accomplishments, rendered her the admiration of all who knew her. A pagan gentleman applied to Cyprian, to promote his suit with the beautiful Justina; this he undertook, but soon himself converted, burnt his books of astrology and magic, received baptism, and felt animated with a powerful spirit of grace. The conversion of Cyprian had a great effect on the pagan gentleman who paid his addresses to Justina, and he in a short time embraced Christianity. During the persecutions of Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were seized upon as Christians, the former was torn with pincers, and the latter chastised; and, after suffering other torments, both were beheaded."[citation needed] and liturgical celebration feast day appeared in the General Roman Calendar of Roman Rite from the thirteenth century until it was deleted in 1969 because of the lack of historical evidence of their existence.[5] Their names were also removed from the 2001 revision of the Roman Martyrology, the official but professedly incomplete list of saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Martyrology, however, includes five other saints called Cyprian and two named Justina. Some traditionalist Catholics continue to observe their feast based on pre-1970 versions of the Roman Calendar. popular culture Spanish author, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, took the story as the basis of a drama: El mágico prodigioso. In 2005, American author Tono Rondone published a novel, The Martyrs, which is a continuation of this tradition. [6] Great Book of Saint Cyprian is full of prayers and spells, and is widely sold in the Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking world. is a popular name for a grimoire in Scandinavian folklore. Nicomedia; Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus, of Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2; Cyprian was a pagan and a native of Antioch. From his early childhood his misguided parents dedicated him to the service of the pagan gods. From the age seven until he was thirty, Cyprian studied at the leading centers of paganism: on Mount Olympus; in the cities of Argos and Tauropolis; in the Egyptian city of Memphis; and at Babylon. Once he attained eminent wisdom in pagan philosophy and the sorcerer’s craft, he was initiated into the pagan priesthood on Mount Olympus. Having discovered great power by summoning unclean spirits, he beheld the Prince of Darkness himself, speaking with him and receiving from him a host of demons to serve him. returning to Antioch, Cyprian was revered by the pagans as a prominent pagan priest, amazing people with his ability to cast spells, to summon pestilence and plagues, and to conjure up the dead. He brought many people to ruin, teaching them to serve the demons, and how to cast magic spells. holy virgin Justina lived in Antioch. After turning her own father and mother away from the error of paganism and leading them to faith in Christ, she dedicated herself to the Heavenly Bridegroom and spent her time in fasting and prayer. When the young man Aglaidas proposed marriage to her, the saint refused, for she wished to remain a virgin. sought Cyprian’s help. He said that he would arrange for Justina's heart to become filled with lust for the young man. No matter what Cyprian tried, he accomplished nothing, since the Saint overcame all the wiles of the devil by prayer and fasting. sent an unclean spirit to attack the holy virgin, and to arouse carnal passions in her, but she overcame them by the power of the Sign of the Cross, and by fervent prayer to the Lord. though one of the demons, and Cyprian himself, assumed various guises by the power of sorcery, they were unable to influence Saint Justina, who was guarded by her firm faith in Christ. All the spells were dissipated, and the demons fled at the mention of Justina's name. in his rage, sent down pestilence and plague upon Justina’s family and upon the entire city, but this was thwarted by her prayer. The sorcerer brought tribulation not only upon Justina and her family, but upon the entire city as well. Rumors spread that the city was being punished because Justina would not wed Aglaias. Several people went to her and demanded that she marry Aglaias so that Cyprian would not punish them with more afflictions. Justina calmed them and assured them that soon the misfortunes which Cyprian caused with the help of the demons would end. Saint Justina prayed to God, the power of the demons was destroyed, and everyone was healed of their illnesses and afflictions. began to praise Christ, and to mock Cyprian and his sorcery. Convinced that the devil was powerless against the Sign of the Cross, and trembled at the name of Christ, Cyprian came to his senses and realized that he had been corrupted by becoming a sorcerer, and participating in every sort of wickedness, doing harm to others and deceiving them. He killed many with his spells and potions, and he murdered many men and women as sacrificial offerings to the demons. He was already a partaker of the portion of the demons, and if he had died at that moment, he would have been cast into the depths of Hell. The Lord, however, in His infinite compassion, saved him from the abyss. Cyprian saw that the devil whom he served was afraid of Christ. The Evil One admitted that he was unable to conquer the maiden because he was afraid of "a certain sign" upon her. “If you take fright at even the mere shadow of the Cross and if the mere name of Christ makes you tremble,” said Cyprian, “then what will you do when Christ Himself stands before you?” devil then threw himself upon the pagan priest and attempted to beat and strangle him. For the first time, Saint Cyrian tested the power of the Sign of the Cross and the name of Christ, guarding himself from the fury of the Enemy. Afterward, he went to the local bishop Anthimos in profound repentance, and threw all of his books into the flames. The very next day, he went into the church, and did not want to leave it, even though he had not yet been baptized. his efforts to follow after righteousness, Saint Cyprian understood the great power of faith in Christ, making up for more than thirty years of service to Satan. Seven days after his Baptism he was tonsured as a reader, on the twelfth day, subdeacon, on the thirtieth, deacon. After a year, he was ordained as a priest. Shortly after this, Saint Cyprian was elevated to the rank of bishop. Cyprian converted so many pagans to Christ that in his diocese no one was left to offer sacrifice to idols, and the pagan temples fell into disuse. Saint Justina withdrew to a monastery and was chosen as its Superior. the persecution against Christians under Enperor Diocletian, Bishop Cyprian and Saint Justina were arrested and brought to Nicomedia, where after horrible tortures they were beheaded with the sword. Saint Cyprian, fearful that the holy virgin’s courage might falter if she saw him put to death, asked for time to pray. Saint Justina inclined her neck and was beheaded first. seeing the torments of Saint Justina, a soldier named Theoktistos fell at Cyprian’s feet and declared himself a Christian, and he was beheaded with them. Hieromartyr Cyprian, the Virgin Martyr Justina, and the Martyr Theoktistos suffered for Christ at Nicomedia in the year 304. relics of Saints Cyprian and Justina are to be found in various places around the world. One of Saint Cyprian's feet is at Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos. A piece of Saint Cyprian's skull is in the church named for these Saints at Menikos Nicosia. A small piece of Saint Justina's skull is there as well. Fragments of the Holy Relics of Saints Cyprian and Justina are in the Monastery which is dedicated to them at Phylḗ, Attica. The head of Saint Justina is located in the Monastery of Panagia Panachrantou (the All-Holy Theotokos) on the Greek island if Andros. Part of the hand of Saint Cyprian is located in the Zlătari church (Calea Victoriei 14, Bucharest Romania)

Rome, 284-305, Pelagia, Tarsus, beautiful, holy, virgin, Problem w Diocletian&son, visions, baptism, 3 crowns, Myhrr, Lions
Cilicia, 284-305, Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus; Tarsus; Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus, Commemorated October 7 ; Pelagia of Tarsus in Cilicia (southeastern Asia Minor) lived in the third century, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), and was the daughter of illustrious pagans. When she heard about Jesus Christ from her Christian friends, she believed in Him and desired to preserve her virginity, dedicating her whole life to the Lord. Diocletian’s heir (a boy he adopted), saw the maiden Pelagia, was captivated by her beauty and wanted her to be his wife. The holy virgin told the youth that she was betrothed to Christ the Immortal Bridegroom, and had renounced earthly marriage. ’s reply greatly angered the young man, but he decided to leave her in peace for awhile, hoping that she would change her mind. At the same time, Pelagia convinced her mother to let her visit the nurse who had raised her in childhood. She secretly hoped to find Bishop Linus of Tarsus, who had fled to a mountain during a persecution against Christians, and to be baptized by him. She had seen the face of Bishop Linus in a dream, which made a profound impression upon her. The holy bishop told her to be baptized. Saint Pelagia traveled in a chariot to visit her nurse, dressed in rich clothes and accompanied by a whole retinue of servants, as her mother wished. the way Saint Pelagia, by the grace of God, met Bishop Linus. Pelagia immediately recognized the bishop who had appeared to her in the dream. She fell at his feet, requesting Baptism. At the bishop’s prayer a spring of water flowed from the ground. Linus made the Sign of the Cross over Saint Pelagia, and during the Mystery of Baptism, angels appeared and covered the chosen one of God with a bright mantle. After giving the pious virgin Holy Communion, Bishop Linus offered a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord with her, and then sent her to continue her journey. She then exchanged her expensive clothing for a simple white garment, and distributed her possessions to the poor. Returning to her servants, Saint Pelagia told them about Christ, and many of them were converted and believed. tried to convert her own mother to Christ, but the obdurate woman sent a message to Diocletian’s son that Pelagia was a Christian and did not wish to be his wife. The youth realized that Pelagia was lost to him, and he fell upon his sword in his despair. Pelagia’s mother feared the emperor’s wrath, so she tied her daughter up and led her to Diocletian’s court as a Christian who was also responsible for the death of the heir to the throne. The emperor was captivated by the unusual beauty of the virgin and tried to turn her from her faith in Christ, promising her every earthly blessing if she would become his wife. holy virgin refused the emperor’s offer with contempt and said, “You are insane, Emperor, saying such things to me. I will not do your bidding, and I loathe your vile marriage, since I have Christ, the King of Heaven, as my Bridegroom. I do not desire your worldly crowns which last only a short while. The Lord in His heavenly Kingdom has prepared three imperishable crowns for me. The first is for faith, since I have believed in the true God with all my heart; the second is for purity, because I have dedicated my virginity to Him; the third is for martyrdom, since I want to accept every suffering for Him and offer up my soul because of my love for Him.” sentenced Pelagia to be burned in a red-hot bronze bull. Not permitting the executioners to touch her body, the holy martyr signed herself with the Sign of the Cross, and went into the brazen bull and her flesh melted like myrrh, filling the whole city with fragrance. Saint Pelagia’s bones remained unharmed and were removed by the pagans to a place outside the city. Four lions then came out of the wilderness and sat around the bones letting neither bird nor wild beast get at them. The lions protected the relics of the saint until Bishop Linus came to that place. He gathered them up and buried them with honor. Later, a church was built over her holy relics. Service to the holy Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus says that she was “deemed worthy of most strange and divine visions.” She is also commemorated on May 4. Virginmartyr Pelagia of Tarsus, in Asia Minor, Commemorated on May 4; story as Oct 7th

Rome, 284-305 , Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia, boldly confessed Christ, even painted Cross on door
Croatia, 284-305 , Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia; Salona in Dalmatia; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated on October 25 ; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller lived at Salona in Dalmatia during the third century. He was arrested and brought to trial because of his missionary activity in Salona. Saint Anastasius, boldly and without fear, confessed Christ as the true God and Creator of all. He even painted a cross on his door during the persecution of Diocletian (284-311). Anastasius was sentenced to death by the decision of the court, and the pagans tied a stone around his neck and threw his body into the sea. A righteous Christian, the rich matron Ascalopia, found the body of Saint Anastasius and reverently buried him in her estate church. The relics of the holy martyr were glorified by many miracles. Saint Anastasius the Fuller is also commemorated on December 5. Definition of Fuller; Martyr Anastasius the Fuller of Salona in Dalmatia, Commemorated December 5 ; Story

Rome, 284-303, Italian and Bithynian Saint Autonomus, chruch builder, martyr, incorrupt relics
Bithynia, 284-303, Italian and Bithynian Saint Autonomus; Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy, Commemorated on September 12; Hieromartyr Autonomus was a bishop in Italy. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Autonomus left his own country and resettled in Bithynia, in the locality of Soreus with a man named Cornelius. Saint Autonomus did his apostolic duty with zeal and converted to Christ so many pagans, that a large Church was formed, for which he consecrated a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael. For this church, the saint at first ordained Cornelius as deacon, and then presbyter. Preaching about Christ, Saint Autonomus visited also Lykaonia and Isauria. emperor Diocletian gave orders to arrest Saint Autonomus, but the saint withdrew to Claudiopolis on the Black Sea. In returning to Soreus, he had the priest Cornelius ordained bishop. Saint Autonomus then went to Asia, and when he had returned from there, he began to preach in the vicinity of Limna, near Soreus. the newly-converted destroyed a pagan temple. The pagans decided to take revenge on the Christians. Seizing their chance, the pagans rushed upon the church of the Archangel Michael when Saint Autonomus was serving Divine Liturgy there. After torturing Saint Autonomus they killed him, reddening the altar of the church with his martyr’s blood. The deaconess Maria removed the body of the holy martyr from beneath a pile of stones and buried it. the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, a church was built over the tomb of the saint. In the year 430, a certain priest had the old church pulled down. Not realizing that the martyr’s body had been buried beneath the church, he rebuilt the church in a new spot. But after another 60 years the relics of the saint were found incorrupt, and a church was then built in the name of the Hieromartyr Autonomus.

Rome, 284-303, Roman Saint, Autonomus the Bishop in Italy and Bithynia, martyred by Diocletian, because large church
Roman Saint, 284-303, Autonomus the Bishop in Italy and Bithynia; Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy, Commemorated on September 12; Hieromartyr Autonomus was a bishop in Italy. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Autonomus left his own country and resettled in Bithynia, in the locality of Soreus with a man named Cornelius. Saint Autonomus did his apostolic duty with zeal and converted to Christ so many pagans, that a large Church was formed, for which he consecrated a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael. For this church, the saint at first ordained Cornelius as deacon, and then presbyter. Preaching about Christ, Saint Autonomus visited also Lykaonia and Isauria. emperor Diocletian gave orders to arrest Saint Autonomus, but the saint withdrew to Claudiopolis on the Black Sea. In returning to Soreus, he had the priest Cornelius ordained bishop. Saint Autonomus then went to Asia, and when he had returned from there, he began to preach in the vicinity of Limna, near Soreus. the newly-converted destroyed a pagan temple. The pagans decided to take revenge on the Christians. Seizing their chance, the pagans rushed upon the church of the Archangel Michael when Saint Autonomus was serving Divine Liturgy there. After torturing Saint Autonomus they killed him, reddening the altar of the church with his martyr’s blood. The deaconess Maria removed the body of the holy martyr from beneath a pile of stones and buried it. the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, a church was built over the tomb of the saint. In the year 430, a certain priest had the old church pulled down. Not realizing that the martyr’s body had been buried beneath the church, he rebuilt the church in a new spot. But after another 60 years the relics of the saint were found incorrupt, and a church was then built in the name of the Hieromartyr Autonomus.

Rome, 284-314, Empress, Alexandra, Prisca, Christian Saint, killed w daughter Valeria by Licinius
Rome, 284-314, Emperess Alexandra, Prisca Rome, 284-305, Emperor Diocletian ; Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian, Commemorated on April 23; Holy Empress Alexandra was the wife of Diocletian (284-305). Her supposed death was described in the Martyrdom of Saint George, which was written immediately after his death. The empress, however, received the crown of martyrdom several years later, in 314. events occurred during these years. In 305 the emperor Diocletian resigned the throne and power passed to his co-ruler Maximian Galerius (305-311), a fanatic pagan, as well as a coarse and fierce soldier. His wife was Saint Valeria, the daughter of the holy Empress Alexandra, whom Diocletian had given in marriage against her will. Alexandra raised her daughter in Christian piety. When Galerius died, the emperor Maximinus sought her hand in marriage. When he was refused, he banished Saint Valeria to Syria, where she lived with her mother. the death of Maximinus in 311 the mother and daughter arrived in Nicomedia, trusting in the mercy of the emperor Licinius (311-324). Together with Saint Constantine, he had subscribed to the Edict of Milan, which gave Christians the freedom of religion, but secretly he remained an enemy of Christianity. Licinius gave orders to execute the holy Empress Alexandra and her daughter Valeria. They were beheaded, and their bodies thrown into the sea. Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 24;

Rome, 285-323, Agapitus of Synnada, Phrygia, gift of miracles, p killed dragon, recruited military, Consantine discharged him
Phrygia, 285-323, Agapitus of Synnada, Phrygia (Intersection and Akarcay River Source), young monk from Cappadocia, Armenia, gift of working miracles, over 100, prayers killed dragon, recruited military, wanted to join martyrs but preserved for saving souls, Consantine discharged him, priesthood, bishop ; Synnada, Synnada is on a small plain near the Akarcay River; St Agapitus the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18; Agapitos came from Cappadocia and was the son of pious and God-loving parents. lived during the time of the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (285-305). a young age he departed for a monastery near Synnada in Phrygia, where he became a monk. was loved by the Igumen because of his virtuous life and so he was taught how to read and write. also received from God the gift of working miracles, performing over a hundred of them. his prayers he killed a great dragon, which had appeared near the monastery, carrying off both people and animals. This was a great benefit for those who had turned to him for help. on, during the reign of Licinius (308-323) Saint Agapitos was recruited into the army against his will. There he saw the victorious Martyrs Victor, Dorotheos, Theodoulos, Agrippa and many others, being tortured for their faith in Christ. Right away he wanted to join them in their martyrdom. they were perfected in Christ by the sword, he was preserved and, by God's providence, he suffered no harm, even though they wounded him with a spear. His life was spared so that he might lead many to salvation. holy Emperor Constantine the Great (May 21) heard that Saint Agapitos could heal people by his prayers. The emperor sent him a sick servant, and he was cured. Constantine wished to reward Saint Agapitos, but he asked only that he be discharged from military service and be permitted to return to his monastery. His request was granted, and so he went back to the monastery. Agapitos devoted himself to the study of the Holy Gospel, and the Bishop of Synnada ordained him to the holy priesthood. After the bishop reposed, Saint Agapitos was chosen to succeed him in this position by the common consent of the clergy and the people. governing his flock in a God-pleasing manner, instructing them in the Orthodox Faith, and in virtuous living, Saint Agapitos reposed in peace

Rome, 285-476, Western Roman Empire
Rome, 285-476, Western Roman Empire;

Rome, 286-287, Apollonius of Alexandria, Goshen, Egypt, change clothes with me, but he confessed, arrow destroys eye, healed
Egypt, 286-287, Apollonius of Alexandria, Goshen, Egypt, change clothes with me, but he confessed, arrow destroys eye, healed, accepted torture and death; Alexandria; Martyr Apollonius of Alexandria, Commemorated December 14 ; Holy Martyrs Philemon, Apollonius, Arianus and Theotychus suffered for the Faith in Egypt, the city of Antinoe, the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Arrian up until his conversion to Christ was a persecutor of Christians, among whom were the martyrs Apollonius and Philemon. Apollonius, at first fearing to face the sufferings, asked the pagan musician Philemon to change clothes with him and offer sacrifice to the idols for him. But unexpectedly Saint Philemon confessed himself a Christian in front of the pagans. Apollonius repented and also confessed Christ. After torture, both martyrs were executed. Saint Philemon’s body was hung upon an olive tree, arrows were shot at him. One struck prefect Arianus in the eye, destroying it. Arianus’ injured eye was healed by when he applied dirt taken from Philemon’s grave. He repented and was converted to the Christian Faith and baptized together with all his household and bodyguards. Out of love for Christ they voluntarily went to torture and were sentenced to death. Martyr Theotychus was the eldest of the guards, and is remembered with the other saints. The Martyrs Philemon and Apollonius died on March 16, 286, and the Martyrs Arrian and Theotychus on March 4, 287.

Rome, 291-568, Goths, Ostrogoths in Italy (absorbed by Lombards)
Ostrogoths; BENEDICT, FOUNDER OF WESTERN MONASTICISM (11 JULY 540); Totila the Goth; Battle of Taginae; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15 ;

Rome, 292-303, Great Martyr George of Cappadocia, Armenia, Nino's Kin, Wonderworker, imperial guard commander, spoke Truth
Armenia, 292-303, Great Martyr George of Cappadocia, Armenia, Nino's Kin, Victory Bearer, Wonderworker, Diocletian' imperial guard commander, spoke Truth (Jesus Christ) in the Senate, pushing spears became soft, you will grow tired before I will, intense tortures, wheel sharp iron, assumed dead, dark thunder, Lord's voice fear not, youthful angel, rejoice, healed, pagan temple w emperor, many believed, incl Emperess Alexandra, more tortures deep pit w lime, unharmed and cheerful, red hot iron sandals w nails, ox thongs, concluded magic, poisoned unharmed, not human understanding but power of God, believers no regard for tortures, do things Christ did, D asks what C did, “He gave sight to the blind, cleansed the lepers, healed the lame, gave hearing to the deaf, cast out demons, and raised the dead.”, D had him raise a dead man, Sorcerer confessed, beheaded w raised man, to prison, healings, Glycerius ox to life, G beheaded, Court of Apollo, deamons confessed, idols destroyed, George beheaded, Dragon slaying story, Many saints named george or yuri; Cappadocia, 290-303, Great Martyr George of Cappadocia; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23; Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, was a native of Cappadocia (a district in Asia Minor), and he grew up in a deeply believing Christian family. His father was martyred for Christ when George was still a child. His mother, owning lands in Palestine, moved there with her son and raised him in strict piety. he became a man, Saint George entered into the service of the Roman army. He was handsome, brave and valiant in battle, and he came to the notice of the emperor Diocletian (284-305) and joined the imperial guard with the rank of comites, or military commander. pagan emperor, who did much for the restoration of Roman might, was clearly concerned with the danger presented to pagan civilization by the triumph of the Crucified Savior, and intensified his persecution against the Christians in the final years of his reign. the advice of the Senate at Nicomedia, Diocletian gave all his governors full freedom in their court proceedings against Christians, and he promised them his full support. George, when he heard the decision of the emperor, distributed all his wealth to the poor, freed his servants, and then appeared in the Senate. brave soldier of Christ spoke out openly against the emperor’s designs. He confessed himself a Christian, and appealed to all to acknowledge Christ: “I am a servant of Christ, my God, and trusting in Him, I have come among you voluntarily, to bear witness concerning the Truth.” “What is Truth?” one of the dignitaries asked, echoing the question of Pontius Pilate. The saint replied, “Christ Himself, Whom you persecuted, is Truth.” by the bold speech of the valiant warrior, the emperor, who had loved and promoted George, attempted to persuade him not to throw away his youth and glory and honors, but rather to offer sacrifice to the gods as was the Roman custom. The confessor replied, “Nothing in this inconstant life can weaken my resolve to serve God.” by order of the enraged emperor the armed guards began to push Saint George out of the assembly hall with their spears, and they then led him off to prison. the deadly steel became soft and it bent, just as the spears touched the saint’s body, and it caused him no harm. In prison they put the martyr’s feet in stocks and placed a heavy stone on his chest. next day at the interrogation, powerless but firm of spirit, Saint George again answered the emperor, “You will grow tired of tormenting me sooner than I will tire of being tormented by you.” Diocletian gave orders to subject Saint George to some very intense tortures. They tied the Great Martyr to a wheel, beneath which were boards pierced with sharp pieces of iron. As the wheel turned, the sharp edges slashed the saint’s naked body. first the sufferer loudly cried out to the Lord, but soon he quieted down, and did not utter even a single groan. Diocletian decided that the tortured one was already dead, and he gave orders to remove the battered body from the wheel, and then went to a pagan temple to offer thanks. this very moment it got dark, thunder boomed, and a voice was heard: “Fear not, George, for I am with you.” Then a wondrous light shone, and at the wheel an angel of the Lord appeared in the form of a radiant youth. He placed his hand upon the martyr, saying to him, “Rejoice!” Saint George stood up healed. the soldiers led him to the pagan temple where the emperor was, the emperor could not believe his own eyes and he thought that he saw before him some other man or even a ghost. confusion and in terror the pagans looked Saint George over carefully, and they became convinced that a miracle had occurred. Many then came to believe in the Life-Creating God of the Christians. illustrious officials, Saints Anatolius and Protoleon, who were secretly Christians, openly confessed Christ. Immediately, without a trial, they were beheaded with the sword by order of the emperor. present in the pagan temple was Empress Alexandra, the wife of Diocletian, and she also knew the truth. She was on the point of glorifying Christ, but one of the servants of the emperor took her and led her off to the palace. emperor became even more furious. He had not lost all hope of influencing Saint George, so he gave him over to new and fiercesome torments. After throwing him into a deep pit, they covered it over with lime. days later they dug him out, but found him cheerful and unharmed. They shod the saint in iron sandals with red-hot nails, and then drove him back to the prison with whips. the morning, they led him back to the interrogation, cheerful and with healed feet, and the emperor asked if he liked his shoes. The saint said that the sandals had been just his size. Then they beat him with ox thongs until pieces of his flesh came off and his blood soaked the ground, but the brave sufferer, strengthened by the power of God, remained unyielding. emperor concluded that the saint was being helped by magic, so he summoned the sorcerer Athanasius to deprive the saint of his miraculous powers, or else poison him. The sorcerer gave Saint George two goblets containing drugs. One of them would have quieted him, and the other would kill him. The drugs had no effect, and the saint continued to denounce the pagan superstitions and glorify God as before. the emperor asked what sort of power was helping him, Saint George said, “Do not imagine that it is any human learning which keeps me from being harmed by these torments. I am saved only by calling upon Christ and His Power. believes in Him has no regard for tortures and is able to do the things that Christ did” (John 14:12). asked what sort of things Christ had done. Martyr replied, “He gave sight to the blind, cleansed the lepers, healed the lame, gave hearing to the deaf, cast out demons, and raised the dead.” that they had never been able to resurrect the dead through sorcery, nor by any of the gods known to him, and wanting to test the saint, the emperor commanded him to raise up a dead person before his eyes. The saint retorted, “You wish to tempt me, but my God will work this sign for the salvation of the people who shall see the power of Christ.” they led Saint George down to the graveyard, he cried out, “O Lord! Show to those here present, that You are the only God in all the world. Let them know You as the Almighty Lord.” Then the earth quaked, a grave opened, the dead one emerged from it alive. Having seen with their own eyes the Power of Christ, the people wept and glorified the true God. sorcerer Athanasius, falling down at the feet of Saint George, confessed Christ as the All-Powerful God and asked forgiveness for his sins, committed in ignorance. The obdurate emperor in his impiety thought otherwise. In a rage, he commanded both Athanasius and the man raised from the dead to be beheaded, and he had Saint George again locked up in prison. people, weighed down with their infirmities, began to visit the prison and they there received healing and help from the saint. A certain farmer named Glycerius, whose ox had collapsed, also visited him. The saint consoled him and assured him that God would restore his ox to life. When he saw the ox alive, the farmer began to glorify the God of the Christians throughout all the city. By order of the emperor, Saint Glycerius was arrested and beheaded. exploits and the miracles of the Great Martyr George had increased the number of the Christians, therefore Diocletian made a final attempt to compel the saint to offer sacrifice to the idols. They set up a court at the pagan temple of Apollo. On the final night the holy martyr prayed fervently, and as he slept, he saw the Lord, Who raised him up with His hand, and embraced him. The Savior placed a crown on Saint George’s head and said, “Fear not, but have courage, and you will soon come to Me and receive what has been prepared for you.” the morning, the emperor offered to make Saint George his co-administrator, second only to himself. The holy martyr with a feigned willingness answered, “Caesar, you should have shown me this mercy from the very beginning, instead of torturing me. Let us go now to the temple and see the gods you worship.” believed that the martyr was accepting his offer, and he followed him to the pagan temple with his retinue and all the people. Everyone was certain that Saint George would offer sacrifice to the gods. The saint went up to the idol, made the Sign of the Cross and addressed it as if it were alive: “Are you the one who wants to receive from me sacrifice befitting God?” demon inhabiting the idol cried out, “I am not a god and none of those like me is a god, either. The only God is He Whom you preach. We are fallen angels, and we deceive people because we are jealous.” George cried out, “How dare you remain here, when I, the servant of the true God, have entered?” Then noises and wailing were heard from the idols, and they fell to the ground and were shattered. was general confusion. In a frenzy, pagan priests and many of the crowd seized the holy martyr, tied him up, and began to beat him. They also called for his immediate execution. holy empress Alexandra tried to reach him. Pushing her way through the crowd, she cried out, “O God of George, help me, for You Alone are All-Powerful.” At the feet of the Great Martyr the holy empress confessed Christ, Who had humiliated the idols and those who worshipped them. immediately pronounced the death sentence on the Great Martyr George and the holy Empress Alexandra, who followed Saint George to execution without resisting. Along the way she felt faint and slumped against a wall. There she surrendered her soul to God. George gave thanks to God and prayed that he would also end his life in a worthy manner. At the place of execution the saint prayed that the Lord would forgive the torturers who acted in ignorance, and that He would lead them to the knowledge of Truth. Calmly and bravely, the holy Great Martyr George bent his neck beneath the sword, receiving the crown of martyrdom on April 23, 303. pagan era was coming to an end, and Christianity was about to triumph. Within ten years, Saint Constantine (May 21) would issue the Edict of Milan, granting religious freedom to Christians. the many miracles worked by the holy Great Martyr George, the most famous are depicted in iconography. In the saint’s native city of Beirut were many idol-worshippers. Outside the city, near Mount Lebanon, was a large lake, inhabited by an enormous dragon-like serpent. Coming out of the lake, it devoured people, and there was nothing anyone could do, since the breath from its nostrils poisoned the very air. the advice of the demons inhabiting the idols, the local ruler came to a decision. Each day the people would draw lots to feed their own children to the serpent, and he promised to sacrifice his only daughter when his turn came. That time did come, and the ruler dressed her in her finest attire, then sent her off to the lake. The girl wept bitterly, awaiting her death. Unexpectedly for her, Saint George rode up on his horse with spear in hand. The girl implored him not to leave her, lest she perish. saint signed himself with the Sign of the Cross. He rushed at the serpent saying, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Saint George pierced the throat of the serpent with his spear and trampled it with his horse. Then he told the girl to bind the serpent with her sash, and lead it into the city like a dog on a leash. people fled in terror, but the saint halted them with the words: “Don’t be afraid, but trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in Him, since it is He Who sent me to save you.” Then the saint killed the serpent with a sword, and the people burned it outside the city. Twenty-five thousand men, not counting women and children, were then baptized. Later, a church was built and dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Great Martyr George. George went on to become a talented officer and to amaze the world by his military exploits. He died before he was thirty years old. He is known as Victory Bearer, not only for his military achievements, but for successfully enduring martyrdom. As we know, the martyrs are commemorated in the dismissal at the end of Church services as “the holy, right victorious martyr....” George was the patron saint and protector of several of the great builders of the Russian state. Saint Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav the Wise (in holy Baptism George), advanced the veneration of the saint in the Russian Church. He built the city of Yuriev [i.e., “of Yurii.” “Yurii” is the diminutive of “George”, as “Ivan” is of “John”], he also founded the Yuriev monastery at Novgorod, and he built a church of Saint George the Victory Bearer at Kiev. day of the consecration of Saint George’s Church in Kiev, November 26, 1051 by Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus, has entered into the liturgical treasury of the Church as a special church feastday. Yuriev Day is beloved by the Russian people as an “autumn Feast of Saint George.” name of Saint George was also borne by the founder of Moscow, Yurii Dolgoruky (+ 1157), who was the builder of many churches dedicated to Saint George, and the builder of the city of Yuriev-Polsk. In the year 1238 the heroic fight of the Russian nation against the Mongol Horde was led by the Great Prince Yurii (George) Vsevolodovich of Vladimir (February 4), who fell at the Battle at the Sita River. His memory, like that of Igor the Brave, and defender of his land, was celebrated in Russian spiritual poems and ballads. first Great Prince of Moscow, when Moscow had become the center of the Russian Land, was Yurii Danilovich (+ 1325), the son of Saint Daniel of Moscow, and grandson of Saint Alexander Nevsky. From that time Saint George the Victory Bearer, depicted as a horseman slaying the serpent, appeared on Moscow’s coat of arms, and became an emblem of the Russian state. This has strengthened Russia’s connections with Christian nations, and especially with Iberia (Georgia, the Land of Saint George). GEORGE, SOLDIER and MARTYR, 23 APRIL 303; is a soldier and martyr who suffered around 303 at Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine. The earliest surviving record of him is a church inscription in Syria, dated about 346. Commemorations of him are numerous, early, and widespread. However, no details of his life are known. In 495 his name appears on a list of "good men, justly remembered, whose good deeds are known only to God." The best-known story about him is that he rescued a beautiful princess in Libya by killing a dragon. It should be noted that this story is unknown before the appearance in 1265 of a romance called the Golden Legend (Legendum Aureum), translated into English in 1483. the soldiers of the First Crusade were besieging Antioch in 1098, they had a vision of George and Demetrius (a deacon of Sirmium in Serbia, martyred under Maximian, and referred to as a "soldier of Christ," from which he was often understood to be a literal soldier) encouraging them to maintain the siege, which ultimately proved successful. I ("the Lion-Heart") of England, who fought in the Holy Land in 1191-1192, placed himself and his army under George's protection, and with the return home of the Crusaders, the popularity of George in England increased greatly. III founded the Order of the Garter in 1348 under his patronage, his banner (a red cross on a white field) began to be used as the English national flag in 1284, and in 1415 Henry V spoke of him to rally the troops before the battle of Agincourt ("Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, or close the wall up with our English dead. ... cry God for Harry, England, and St George!"), in the years following George was regarded as the special patron of England, of soldiers, and of the Boy Scouts, as well as of Venice, Genoa, Portugal, and Catalonia. is also remembered with enthusiasm in many parts of the East Orthodox Church. is a principal character in Edmund Spenser's allegorical poem The Faerie Queene, written in the late 1500's. — by James Kiefer

Rome, 293-343, Nicholas, St Nick, Lycian Saint, Bishop of Myra, Wonderworker
Lycian Saint, 293-343, Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra; Translation of the relics of St Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari, Commemorated on May 9 ; Icon of the Mother of God œthe ConverserÂ, Commemorated on August 14;

Rome, 293-343, NICHOLAS of Myra, childless parents dedicate, d light early, d inheritance, saved 3 daughters, myrrh relics
Lycia, 293-343, NICHOLAS of Myra, Bishop, from Patara, wealthy childless parents dedicate him, d light revealed in youth, mother healed, stood 3 hours, fasting from birth, r scripptures, d inheritance to poor, saved daughters from prostitution w 3 sacks of gold, to holy land, saw devil on ship, calmed the waves, restored sailor from mast fall, divine voice to return, monastery, divine voice return to world, chosen bishop by God, at 1st E council, slapped Arius, under guard, restored by same vision to several Fathers, angel face, face relieves opression, grabbed executioners sword for 3 men unjustly condemned by Gov, who repented, appeared to merchant to bring grain for 3 gold pieces, myrrh from his relics; Saint Nicholas of Myra[a] (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343),[3][4][b] also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire.[7][8] of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker.[c] Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. reputation evolved among the pious, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas. little is known about the historical Saint Nicholas. The earliest accounts of his life were written centuries after his death and contain many legendary elaborations. He is said to have been born in the Greek seaport of Patara, Lycia in Asia Minor to wealthy Christian parents.[9] In one of the earliest attested and most famous incidents from his life, he is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. early stories tell of him calming a storm at sea, saving three innocent soldiers from wrongful execution, and chopping down a tree possessed by a demon. his youth, he is said to have made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine. after his return, he became Bishop of Myra. He was later cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian, but was released after the accession of Constantine. early list makes him an attendee at the First Council of Nicaea in 325, but he is never mentioned in any writings by people who were actually at the council. unsubstantiated legends claim that he was temporarily defrocked and imprisoned during the council for slapping the heretic Arius. famous late legend tells how he resurrected three children, who had been murdered and pickled in brine by a butcher planning to sell them as pork during a famine. than 200 years after Nicholas's death, the St. Nicholas Church was built in Myra under the orders of Theodosius II over the site of the church where he had served as bishop, and his remains were moved to a sarcophagus in that church. In 1087, while the Greek Christian inhabitants of the region were subjugated by the newly arrived Muslim Seljuk Turks, and soon after their church was declared to be in schism by the Catholic church, a group of merchants from the Italian city of Bari removed the major bones of Nicholas's skeleton from his sarcophagus in the church without authorization and brought them to their hometown, where they are now enshrined in the Basilica di San Nicola. remaining bone fragments from the sarcophagus were later removed by Venetian sailors and taken to Venice during the First Crusade. Icon of the Mother of God œthe Converser, Commemorated on August 14; Converser Icon of the Mother of God is so named since it depicts the Mother of God and Saint Nicholas of Myra conversing with the sacristan George. event occurred soon after the appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1383, when the Most Holy Theotokos Herself commanded sacristan George to say that they should replace the metal cross on the newly-constructed temple in Her honor at Tikhvin with a wooden one. the place of this vision a chapel was built in honor of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. The chapel burned several times (the first time was in 1390 at the same time as the church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). In 1515, a wooden church was built and a monastery founded in honor of this holy icon. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia is famed as a great saint pleasing unto God. was born in the city of Patara in the region of Lycia (on the south coast of the Asia Minor peninsula), and was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nonna, who had vowed to dedicate him to God. the fruit of the prayer of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from the very day of his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. mother, Nonna, after giving birth was immediately healed from illness. The newborn infant, while still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet three hours, without support from anyone, thereby honoring the Most Holy Trinity. Saint Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays he would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening prayers. his childhood Nicholas thrived on the study of Divine Scripture; by day he would not leave church, and by night he prayed and read books, making himself a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Nicholas of Patara rejoiced at the spiritual success and deep piety of his nephew. He ordained him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the priesthood, making him his assistant and entrusting him to instruct the flock. serving the Lord the youth was fervent of spirit, and in his proficiency with questions of faith he was like an Elder, who aroused the wonder and deep respect of believers. Constantly at work and vivacious, in unceasing prayer, the priest Nicholas displayed great kind-heartedness towards the flock, and towards the afflicted who came to him for help, and he distributed all his inheritance to the poor. was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man'™s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds. Bishop of Patara decided to go on pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, and entrusted the guidance of his flock to Saint Nicholas, who fulfilled this obedience carefully and with love. the bishop returned, Nicholas asked his blessing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. Saint Nicholas saw the devil get on the ship, intending to sink it and kill all the passengers. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers. his prayer a certain sailor of the ship, who had fallen from the mast and was mortally injured, was also restored to health. he reached the ancient city of Jerusalem and came to Golgotha, Saint Nicholas gave thanks to the Savior. He went to all the holy places, worshiping at each one. One night on Mount Sion, the closed doors of the church opened by themselves for the great pilgrim. Going round the holy places connected with the earthly service of the Son of God, Saint Nicholas decided to withdraw into the desert, but he was stopped by a divine voice urging him to return to his native country. returned to Lycia, and yearning for a life of quietude, the saint entered into the brotherhood of a monastery named Holy Sion, which had been founded by his uncle. But the Lord again indicated another path for him, œNicholas, this is not the vineyard where you shall bear fruit for Me. Return to the world, and glorify My Name there. So he left Patara and went to Myra in Lycia. Upon the death of Archbishop John, Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra after one of the bishops of the Council said that a new archbishop should be revealed by God, not chosen by men. of the elder bishops had a vision of a radiant Man, Who told him that the one who came to the church that night and was first to enter should be made archbishop. He would be named Nicholas. The bishop went to the church at night to await Nicholas. The saint, always the first to arrive at church, was stopped by the bishop. œWhat is your name, child? he asked. God'™s chosen one replied, œMy name is Nicholas, Master, and I am your servant. his consecration as archbishop, Saint Nicholas remained a great ascetic, appearing to his flock as an image of gentleness, kindness and love for people. was particularly precious for the Lycian Church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Nicholas, locked up in prison together with other Christians for refusing to worship idols, sustained them and exhorted them to endure the fetters, punishment and torture. The Lord preserved him unharmed. Upon the accession of Saint Constantine (May 21) as emperor, Saint Nicholas was restored to his flock, which joyfully received their guide and intercessor. his great gentleness of spirit and purity of heart, Saint Nicholas was a zealous and ardent warrior of the Church of Christ. Fighting evil spirits, the saint made the rounds of the pagan temples and shrines in the city of Myra and its surroundings, shattering the idols and turning the temples to dust. the year 325 Saint Nicholas was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, and he stood up against the heretic Arius with the likes of Saints Sylvester the Bishop of Rome (January 2), Alexander of Alexandria (May 29), Spyridon of Trimythontos (December 12) and other Fathers of the Council. Nicholas, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius with his words, and also struck him upon the face. For this reason, he was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers had the same vision, seeing the Lord Himself and the Mother of God returning to him the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored the saint to the office of bishop. returned to his own diocese, the saint brought it peace and blessings, sowing the word of Truth, uprooting heresy, nourishing his flock with sound doctrine, and also providing food for their bodies. face of Saint Nicholas resembled that of an Angel, resplendent with divine grace. A brilliant ray shone from his face, like that which shone from the face of Moses (Exodus 34:29), so that those who looked at him were astonished. was oppressed by some affliction or passion of the soul had only to behold the Saint, and his sorrow was eased at once. for those who conversed with him, they soon found themselves advancing on the path of virtue. Not only were the faithful moved to compassion, but unbelievers as well, and they directed their steps on the path of salvation when they heard him speak. The evil of unbelief which had been implanted in their hearts since childhood was uprooted, and in its place, the word of truth was sown. during his life the saint worked many miracles. One of the greatest was the deliverance from death of three men unjustly condemned by the Governor, who had been bribed. saint boldly went up to the executioner and took his sword, already suspended over the heads of the condemned. The Governor, denounced by Saint Nicholas for his wrong doing, repented and begged for forgiveness. this remarkable event were three military officers, who were sent to Phrygia by the emperor Constantine to put down a rebellion. They did not suspect that soon they would also be compelled to seek the intercession of Saint Nicholas. Evil men slandered them before the emperor, and the officers were sentenced to death. Appearing to Saint Constantine in a dream, Saint Nicholas called on him to overturn the unjust sentence of the military officers. worked many other miracles, and struggled many long years at his labor. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was rescued from a terrible famine. He appeared to a certain Italian merchant and left him three gold pieces as a pledge of payment. He requested him to sail to Myra and deliver grain there. More than once, the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and provided release from captivity and imprisonment. reached old age, Saint Nicholas peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His venerable relics were preserved incorrupt in the local cathedral church and flowed with curative myrrh, from which many received healing. In the year 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they rest even now (See May 9). name of the great saint of God, the hierarch and wonderworker Nicholas, a speedy helper and suppliant for all hastening to him, is famed in every corner of the earth, in many lands and among many peoples. In Russia there are a multitude of cathedrals, monasteries and churches consecrated in his name. There is, perhaps, not a single city without a church dedicated to him. first Russian Christian prince Askold (+ 882) was baptized in 866 by Patriarch Photius (February 6) with the name Nicholas. Over the grave of Askold, Saint Olga (July 11) built the first temple of Saint Nicholas in the Russian Church at Kiev. Primary cathedrals were dedicated to Saint Nicholas at Izborsk, Ostrov, Mozhaisk, and Zaraisk. At Novgorod the Great, one of the main churches of the city, the Nikolo-Dvorischensk church, later became a cathedral. and venerable churches and monasteries dedicated to Saint Nicholas are found at Kiev, Smolensk, Pskov, Toropetsa, Galich, Archangelsk, Great Ustiug, Tobolsk. Moscow had dozens of churches named for the saint, and also three monasteries in the Moscow diocese: the Nikolo-Greek (Staryi) in the Chinese-quarter, the Nikolo-Perervinsk and the Nikolo-Ugreshsk. One of the chief towers of the Kremlin was named the Nikolsk. of the churches devoted to the saint were those established at market squares by Russian merchants, sea-farers and those who traveled by land, venerating the wonderworker Nicholas as a protector of all those journeying on dry land and sea. They sometimes received the name among the people of “Nicholas soaked.â€ village churches in Russia were dedicated to the wonderworker Nicholas, venerated by peasants as a merciful intercessor before the Lord for all the people in their work. And in the Russian land Saint Nicholas did not cease his intercession. Ancient Kiev preserves the memory about the miraculous rescue of a drowning infant by the saint. The great wonderworker, hearing the grief-filled prayers of the parents for the loss of their only child, took the infant from the waters, revived him and placed him in the choir-loft of the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) before his wonderworking icon. In the morning the infant was found safe by his thrilled parents, praising Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. wonderworking icons of Saint Nicholas appeared in Russia and came also from other lands. There is the ancient Byzantine embroidered image of the saint, brought to Moscow from Novgorod, and the large icon painted in the thirteenth century by a Novgorod master. depictions of the wonderworker are especially numerous in the Russian Church: Saint Nicholas of Zaraisk, portrayed in full-length, with his right hand raised in blessing and with a Gospel (this image was brought to Ryazan in 1225 by the future wife of Prince Theodore, the Byzantine Princess Eupraxia, who perished in 1237 with her husband and infant son during the incursion of Batu); and Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, also in full stature, with a sword in his right hand and a city in his left. This recalls the miraculous rescue of the city of Mozhaisk from an invasion of enemies, through the prayers of the saint. It is impossible to list all the grace-filled icons of Saint Nicholas, or to enumerate all his miracles. Nicholas is the patron of travelers, and we pray to him for deliverance from floods, poverty, or any misfortunes. He has promised to help those who remember his parents, Theophanes and Nonna. Nicholas is also commemorated on May 9 (The transfer of his relics) and on July 29 (his nativity). Italy, the relics of Saint Nicholas are in the Roman Catholic Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari; and his left arm is in Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church of Rimini. Russia, relics of Saint Nicholas are to be found in Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, and in the Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. right hand of Saint Nicholas is in the church of Saint George the New in Bucharest, Romania. Greece, portions of the Saint's relics are in the Monasteries of Saint Nicholas Apo Bathia in Euboia, and PhaneromenÄ“ in Salaminos. A piece of the Saint's left arm is in the Metropolitan church of Volos. One of the Saint's teeth is at Kalabryta Monastery in the PeloponnÄ“sos. NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) , Commemorated December 6; story of St. Nicholas offers a possible way of dealing with the "Santa Claus" problem, to parents who do not want to lie to their children, even in fun, but do not want to say simply: "Bah, humbug! There is no such thing as Santa. Forget about him." was a native of the western part of what is now Asiatic Turkey. He became Bishop of Myra in the fourth century, and there are many stories of his love for God and for his neighbor. best-known story involves a man with three unmarried daughters, and not enough money to provide them with suitable dowries. This meant that they could not marry, and were likely to end up as prostitutes. Nicholas walked by the man's house on three successive nights, and each time threw a bag of gold in through a window (or, when the story came to be told in colder climates, down the chimney). Thus, the daughters were saved from a life of shame, and all got married and lived happily ever after. of this and similar stories, Nicholas became a symbol of anonymous gift-giving. Hence, if we give a gift to someone today without saying whom it is from, it can be called "a present from Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus)." Some parents explain this to their children and invite the child to join them in wrapping a toy (either something purchased for that purpose, at least partly with the child's allowance, or else a toy that the child has outgrown but that is still serviceable) or an outgrown but not shabby item of the child's clothing, or a package of food, and then going along to donate it to a suitable shelter that will give it to someone who will welcome it. This gift is then called "a present from Santa," so that the child understands that this is another name for an anonymous gift given to someone whom we do not know, but whom we love anyway because God does. (Presents within the family can be "From Santa" or "From Santa and...") fresco of St. NicholasPictures of Nicholas often show three bags of gold next to him, and often these bags have become simply three disks or balls. Nicholas became the patron of an Italian city (I think Bari, which is where his body is now buried) that was a center of the pawnbroking business, and hence a pawnbroking shop traditionally advertises by displaying three gold balls over its front. It is thought that some persons looking at pictures of Nicholas confused the three round objects with human heads. Hence there is a story of a wicked innkeeper who murdered three boys and salted their bodies to serve to his guests, to save on the butcher's bill. Nicholas visited the inn and confronted the innkeeper, who confessed his crime, whereupon Nicholas prayed over the brine-tub and the three boys leaped out unharmed. Other stories have him saving the lives of three innocent men who had been condemned to death. Still other stories have him coming to the rescue of drowning sailors (could this be related to the brine-tub incident?). Nicholas has always been popular with children, mariners, pawnbrokers, the Dutch, the Russians, and recently, the department-store owners. (American readers may remember the story of the brine-tub through reading it as children in the book The Dutch Twins, by Lucy Fitch Perkins, author of The Spanish Twins, The Italian Twins, and many similar books, all children's favorites in the middle of this century. They may now be banned as politically incorrect -- I have no idea. If your children know the brine-tub story, from this book or elsewhere, they may be interested to know how it may have originated.) many countries, Nicholas visits children on his feast day, 6 December, and brings them gifts then. In these countries, there is usually no exchange of Christmas presents, but there may be gifts again on January 6, the feast of the coming of the Wise Men, who brought gifts to the Holy Child of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In America, it may be thought necessary to yield to outside pressure and let Nicholas distribute gifts on December 25. you want to show your children (or yourself) how Nicholas is remembered by Christians with a background different from your own (unless, of course, this IS your background), you might want to attend an East Orthodox service at this time. Many Eastern Orthodox congregations have services on the evening before 6 December that feature "visits from Saint Nicholas." He appears as a bishop, with no red suit. The faithful leave their shoes outside the church door, and find in them afterwards gold coins (actually chocolate wrapped in gold foil) representing the gold dowries of the three daughters. To find a service and inquire what it is likely to be like, look up CHURCHES, ORTHODOX in the Yellow Pages. For an English-language service, "Orthodox Church in America" or "Antiochan Orthodox" parishes are likely choices, but do not overlook other possibilities. are told, but it is uncertain, that Nicholas was imprisoned for his faith before the accession of Constantine, and that he was present at the Council of Nicea in 325. We may note in passing that the picture of him as roly-poly is a late development. Early stories indicate that he was generous to others, but not given to self-indulgence. Indeed, even as an unweaned infant, he fasted regularly on Wednesdays and Fridays. by James Kiefer

Rome, 293-306, Emperor, Constantius Chlorus, Caesar in 293 then Emperor in 305, Constantine's father
Roman Emperor, 293-306, Constantius Chlorus; Valerius Constantius "Chlorus" (c. 250 - 25 July 306), also called Constantius I, was a Roman emperor as one of the four original members the "Tetrarchy" established by Diocletian in 293. He was a junior-ranking emperor, or Caesar, from 293 to 305, and senior emperor, Augustus, from 305 to 306. Constantius was also the father of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome. The nickname Chlorus (Greek: Î§Î»Ï‰ÏÏŒÏ‚, lit. "the Green") was first popularized by Byzantine-era historians and was not used during the emperor's lifetime.[2] Illyrian and probably humble origin, Constantius had a distinguished military career and rose to the top ranks of the army. Around 289 he set aside Helena, Constantine's mother, to marry a daughter of Emperor Maximian, and in 293 was added to the imperial college by Maximian's colleague, Diocletian. Assigned to rule Gaul, Constantius defeated the usurper Carausius there and his successor Allectus in Britain, and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the Alamanni and Franks. When the Diocletianic Persecution was announced in 303, Constantius ordered the demolition of churches but did not actively hunt down Christians in his domain.[2] Upon becoming senior emperor in May 305, Constantius launched a successful punitive campaign against the Picts beyond the Antonine Wall.[3] He died suddenly at Eboracum (York) in July the following year. Constantius's death, the army, perhaps at his own instigation, immediately acclaimed his son Constantine as emperor. This act contributed to the collapse of the Diocletianic tetrarchy, sparking a series civil wars which only ended when Constantine finally united the whole Roman Empire under his rule in 324. According to the Oxford Classical Dictionary, "Constantinian propaganda bedevils assessment of Constantius, yet he appears to have been an able general and a generous ruler".[4] His descendants, the Constantinian dynasty, ruled the Empire until the death of his grandson Julian in 363. Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, Commemorated on September 14; Hieromartyr Cyprian of Nicomedia, Commemorated on October 2 ; Martyr Tarachus at Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 12; Blessed Cleopatra with her son in Egypt, Commemorated on October 19; Martyr Varus, Commemorated on October 19; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22; St Crispina, Commemorated on December 5; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR, abt. 304, Commemorated December 13; Venerable Syncletica of Alexandria, Commemorated on January 5; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Virginmartyr Euphrasia of Nicomedia, Commemorated on January 19; AGNES OF ROME, MARTYR (21 JAN 304) ; Virginmartyr Agnes of Rome, Commemorated on January 21; VINCENT OF SARAGOSSA, DEACON AND MARTYR (22 JAN 304); Presbyter Ananias in Phoenicia, Commemorated on January 26; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated on January 21; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Manuel, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica, Commemorated on March 27; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13; Martyr Victor of Nicomedia, Commemorated on April 18 ;

Rome, 293-306, Constantius Chlorus, Roman Britain and Gaul Caesar, Father of Constantine the Great
England, 293-306, Roman Britain and Gaul Caesar, Constantius Chlorus, Father of Constantine the Great; Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Commemorated on May 21;

Rome, 295, Phoenicia, refused idol w, beaten w hammers, burnt, prayers destroyed temple and idols
Palestine, 295, Phoenicia, refused idol worship, beaten w hammers, burnt, salt, his prayers destroyed temple and idols, guards believed, all drowned; Phoenicia was an ancient Semitic civilization situated on the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent and centered on the coastline of modern Lebanon.; Presbyter Ananias in Phoenicia, Commemorated January 26 ; Holy Martyrs Ananias the Presbyter, Peter the prison guard, and seven soldiers suffered in Phoenicia in the year 295. a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Ananias was brought before Maximus the governor of Phoenicia. He had been arrested for confessing Christ and refusal to worship idols. was beaten with hammers, burnt with fire, and salt was sprinkled on his scorched body. After his terrible sufferings, a temple and the idols standing in it were destroyed through the prayers of Saint Ananias. and seven other soldiers who were stationed to guard Ananias and witnessed his suffering came to believe in Christ. They were drowned in the sea after lengthy torture.

Rome, 296-304, Pope Marcellinus, cowardice, humbled himself, repented, martyred
Roman Pope, 296-304, Pope Marcellinus; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; Hieromartyr Marcellinus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Marcellinus was Pope of Rome during the height of the persecution against Christians under Diocletian and Maximian (284-305), when 17,000 men were martyred a single month. During this time Saint Marcellinus was also arrested. Afraid of the fierce tortures, he burned incense and offered sacrifice to idols. The emperor called him his friend and clothed him in splendid robes. Although he had encouraged others to undergo torture for Christ, he gave in to cowardice. He wept bitterly, filled with remorse. this time, a Synod of 180 bishops and presbyters met at the city of Sinuessa (in Campania). Saint Marcellinus appeared at the assembly in penitential sackcloth, his head sprinkled with ashes. He confessed his sin before the delegates and asked them to judge him. The Fathers of the Council said, “Judge yourself! From your lips this sin came forth, from your lips let judgment be pronounced. We know that even Saint Peter denied Christ out of fear, but he wept bitterly for his sin, and received forgiveness from the Lord.â€ Marcellinus pronounced sentence upon himself, “I strip myself of the priestly dignity, of which I am unworthy. After death, do not bury my body, but instead throw it to the dogs. Cursed be the one who dares to bury it.â€ his return to Rome Marcellinus went to the emperor, threw down the fine clothing given him, and said that he regretted his renunciation of Christ. The enraged emperor had him tortured, and sentenced him to death. Marcellinus prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who mercifully receives sinners who repent, then willingly placed his head beneath the sword. The holy martyrs Claudius, Cyrinus and Antoninus were beheaded with him. body of Saint Marcellinus lay for thirty-six days along the wayside. Appearing in a vision to the new bishop Marcellus, the holy Apostle Peter said, “Why have you not buried the body of Marcellinus?â€ “I fear his curse,â€ replied Saint Marcellus. “Perhaps you do not remember,â€ said the Apostle Peter, “that it is written: ‘He that humbles himself shall be exalted.’ Therefore, go bury his body with reverence.â€ the command of the Apostle Peter, Saint Marcellus buried the body of Saint Marcellinus in a crypt, built for the burial of the bodies of martyrs by the illustrious Priscilla, along the Via Salaria. Martyr Priscilla of Rome, Commemorated on June 7;