Aristocles of Salamis

Holy Hieromartyr Aristocles of Salamis was a priest on the island of Cyprus and suffered for the faith in Christ in the persecution of Emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311), together with the deacon Demetrian and the reader Athanasius. Their martyrdom is placed around the year 306.

Aristocles was born in the Cypriot city of Tamasus and served in the cathedral church of the city. When the persecution began he was afraid of the torments, left the city and hid in a cave in the mountains. One day, while he was praying, a light shone around him and he heard the command of the Lord to return to Cyprus and suffer for Christ. The saint obeyed and set out on the road back. On the way he entered the church of the Holy Apostle Barnabas, where he met the deacon Demetrian and the reader Athanasius, and told them of the vision. The two decided to receive the crown of martyrdom together with him.

Arriving in the city of Salamis, all three began to preach to the people about the Lord Jesus Christ and to rebuke the folly of the idol worshippers. They were seized by the pagans, and the governor, seeing that they believed unshakably in Christ, ordered Aristocles beheaded and Demetrian and Athanasius burned. But even in the fire the martyrs remained unharmed, after which they were beheaded with swords. They are commemorated on 3 July.