Conon of Isauria

Saint Conon of Isauria, hieromartyr, lived, according to the story of his Life, written in late antiquity but claiming to describe events of the first Christian centuries. Our record places his death around the year 250. He is commemorated on 5 March (Old Style). About him we have no source other than the Life.

Life

He was born in Bithynia, near the city of Isauria in Asia Minor, a city whose inhabitants had received Christianity from the Apostle Paul. From his youth, according to the story, the Archangel Michael covered him and helped him in all difficulties. His parents were pagans. They married him to a girl, Anna, whom Conon persuaded to remain a virgin; they lived as brother and sister, praying together and keeping a strict ascetic life, never breaking the fast. Giving himself wholly to God, Conon brought his parents to Christianity. His father, Saint Nestor, died a martyr for rebuking the idolaters.

Soon his mother and wife also died, buried beside his father. Conon continued to serve God, devoting himself to monastic labours, fasting and prayer. By his preaching among the pagans many ran to Christ. In Isauria cruel persecutions of Christians soon began, and Saint Conon was the first to suffer for Christ. They wished to force him to sacrifice to the idols, but he refused and bore all the torments. Many Christians and inhabitants of Isauria rose up with arms against the tormentors; frightened by the people, many fled, and the Isaurians found the hieromartyr Conon wounded and covered with blood. Saint Conon was sorry that he had not been deemed worthy of the death of martyrdom. After two years of life he died in peace and was buried beside his relatives and his wife.