Apollonius of Antinoe

Holy Martyr Apollonius of Antinoe is commemorated together with the martyrs Philemon, Arrian and Theotychus, who suffered for the faith in Egypt, in the city of Antinoe, in the time of Emperor Diocletian (284 to 305). They are commemorated on 27 December.

Saint Arrian, before turning to the faith of Christ, had been a persecutor of Christians, among them the martyrs Apollonius and Philemon. First the martyr Apollonius, frightened by the torments awaiting him, asked the pagan musician Philemon to dress in his clothes and offer the sacrifice to the idols in his stead. But Philemon, unexpectedly, confessed himself a Christian before the pagans. Saint Apollonius repented and also confessed Christ. After torments both martyrs were put to death. Their tormentor Arrian, healing a wounded eye with dust taken from the grave of Philemon, repented, turned to the Christian faith and was baptised with all his household and bodyguard. For love of Christ they went willingly to torments and were put to death. Among the guards, the eldest was the martyr Theotychus, commemorated together with the other saints. The martyrs Philemon and Apollonius died on 16 March 286, and the martyrs Arrian and Theotychus on 4 March 287.