Demetrian of Salamis

Holy Hieromartyr Demetrian of Salamis was a deacon on the island of Cyprus and suffered for Christ in the persecution of Emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311), together with the priest Aristocles and the reader Athanasius. Their martyrdom is placed around the year 306. They are commemorated on 3 July.

The priest Aristocles, born in the Cypriot city of Tamasus, served at the cathedral church, but in the time of persecution he was afraid and hid in a cave in the mountains. One day, at prayer, a light shone around him and he heard a command from the Lord to return to Cyprus and suffer for Christ. He obeyed, and on the way entered the church of the Holy Apostle Barnabas, where he met the deacon Demetrian and the reader Athanasius and told them of the vision. Demetrian and Athanasius resolved to receive the crown of martyrdom together with him.

Reaching Salamis, the three began to speak to the people about the Lord Jesus Christ and to rebuke the folly of idol worshippers. The pagans seized them, and the governor, seeing them unshaken in faith in Christ, ordered Aristocles beheaded and Demetrian and Athanasius burned. But the saints remained unharmed even in the fire, after which their heads were cut off with swords.