Andrew of Lampsacus

Holy Martyr Andrew of Lampsacus is commemorated together with the martyrs Peter, Dionysius, Paul and the martyr Christina, who suffered in the time of Emperor Decius (249 to 251). They are commemorated on 31 May.

First to suffer was the youth Peter, in the city of Lampsacus, on the Hellespont. Brought to judgment before the governor Optimus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in Christ. The youth was forced to deny the Lord and to bow to the idol of the goddess Venus, but he refused and said in the hearing of all that a Christian would not bow to the image of a harlot. Saint Peter was subjected to cruel torments, which he bore with courage, thanking the Lord Jesus Christ who gave him His almighty help, and was beheaded. At the same time Dionysius, Nicomachus and two soldiers brought from Mesopotamia, as well as Andrew and Paul, were brought to trial. All confessed their faith in Christ and refused to sacrifice to the idols, for which they were put to torture. To the great sorrow of all Christians, Nicomachus did not hold out and denied the Lord, went into the temple and offered sacrifice. At once he was seized by a terrible demonic madness and died in fearful torment.

Nicomachus's denial was heard from the crowd by a maiden of sixteen, Christina, who cried out: "Wretched and lost man. For a single hour you have gained now eternal and unspeakable torment." The governor heard these words. He ordered the holy maiden seized and, learning from her that she was a Christian, gave her over to be defiled by the dissolute. Into the house where the holy maiden was taken an angel came. Frightened by his threatening appearance, the young men with tears asked forgiveness of the holy maiden and begged her to pray for them, that the Lord's punishment might not overtake them. The next morning the saints Dionysius, Andrew and Paul stood again before the governor. For confessing faith in Christ they were given to the crowd of pagans to be torn apart: they were tied by the feet, dragged to the place of execution and there stoned. During the execution Saint Christina ran up, to die with the martyrs, but by the governor's order she was beheaded.