Antoninus of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Antoninus of Nicomedia is commemorated together with the martyrs Christopher and Theonas. They were spear-⁠bearing soldiers of Emperor Diocletian (284 to 305) and died in the year 303. They are commemorated on 2 May.

They were present at the sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr George and saw the wonders wrought by the power of God, the faith and unshaken courage of Saint George. The soldiers believed in the Saviour, threw down their golden military belts and confessed themselves Christians before the emperor. They were thrown at once into prison. The next day the emperor tried to persuade the former soldiers to deny Christ, but they firmly confessed their faith and glorified the Saviour as the true God. The emperor ordered the martyrs beaten with iron rods and their bodies torn with hooks. The saints courageously endured all the torments and remained unshaken. Then Diocletian ordered them burned.