Christopher, Theonas and Anthony

The Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas and Anthony were officers in the army of Emperor Diocletian (284 to 305). They were present at the sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr George (23 April), saw the miracles accomplished by the power of God and witnessed George's faith and unshakable courage. The soldiers came to believe in the Savior, threw down their golden military belts and declared themselves Christians before the emperor. They were thrown into prison at once. The next day the emperor urged the former soldiers to renounce Christ, but they firmly confessed their faith and glorified the Savior as the true God.

The emperor ordered the martyrs beaten with iron rods and their bodies raked with hooks. They endured all the torments and remained unyielding. Then Diocletian gave orders to burn them. The martyric death of Saints Christopher, Theonas and Anthony occurred in the year 303. They are commemorated on 19 April (new style; 2 May on the old calendar).