Amphianus and Aedesius

Saints Amphianus and Aedesius, martyrs, were brothers of Patara in Lycia, put to death for faith in Christ in the time of the emperor Maximin Daia, in 306. They are commemorated on 2 April by the old calendar, which is 15 April by the new.

The brothers Amphianus and Aedesius lived in the city of Patara in the province of Lycia, in the family of a wealthy pagan ruler of the city. In childhood they were sent by their parents to Berytus to learn pagan sciences. There they believed in the name of Christ and, after their studies, did not wish to return home, but went to Caesarea, to the priest Pamphilus (later numbered among the holy martyrs), and under his guidance grew in the spiritual life, remaining in prayer and reading and studying Holy Scripture.

Then, by order of the Roman emperor Maximin Daia (305 to 313), a fervent persecutor of Christians, all the inhabitants of Caesarea were compelled to make public sacrifices. Amphianus, wishing to turn the ruler of Caesarea, Urban, from paganism, came on the day when he was offering sacrifices in the pagan temple, took him by the hand and began to persuade him to leave his error and believe in Christ. Amphianus was seized at once, beaten and thrown into prison, and after two days of torment was drowned in the sea.

His own brother Aedesius was sent to Palestine, to the copper mines. After some years, freed and having come to Alexandria, Aedesius repeated his brother's deed, in 306, rebuking Hierocles, the governor who was cruel to Christians. Aedesius was subjected to torments and drowned in the sea, like Amphianus.