Ananias of Phoenicia

Holy Hieromartyr Ananias of Phoenicia, a priest, is commemorated together with the martyr Peter and seven soldiers, who suffered in Phoenicia in the year 295. They are commemorated on 8 February.

In the time of Emperor Diocletian's persecution (284 to 305), Saint Ananias was brought before the Phoenician governor Maximus for his confession of faith in Christ and because he would not bow to idols. He was beaten with hammers, burned with fire, and salt was strewn on his scorched body. After terrible torments, at the holy martyr's prayer, the idol temple and the idols in it collapsed. The saint was shut in prison. Peter, who guarded him, and seven other soldiers, witnesses of the priest Ananias's torments, believed in Christ and, after long torment, were drowned in the sea. For the struggle of martyrdom they received, together with Holy Martyr Ananias, the crowns of glory from Christ.