Demetrius of Scepsis

Holy Martyr Demetrius of Scepsis was a prince and the governor of the city of Scepsis in the Hellespont. He died of hunger in prison, for the faith in Christ, together with his wife, Euanthia, and their son, Demetrian. They are commemorated on 24 September.

The city of Scepsis received the preaching of Saint Cornelius the Centurion, commemorated on 13 September, the first pagan brought to Christ by the Apostle Peter. Cornelius sowed the faith in many of the inhabitants, and the pagans seized him and brought him to the judgment of the governor Demetrius, who tried in vain to force him to renounce Christ and then gave him to torments. The saint bore them bravely, urging the governor to abandon pagan error and to turn to the true faith. Taken into the idol temple, he brought down the shrine and the idols by prayer. By his preaching and wonders, Demetrius became convinced of the truth of Christianity, believed in Christ and was baptised with his whole family. For the confession of Christ, the pagans threw the whole newly baptised family into prison and left it to die of hunger.