Dionysius of Lampsacus

Holy Martyr Dionysius of Lampsacus suffered in the time of Emperor Decius (249-251), together with Peter, Andrew, Paul and the martyr Christina. They are commemorated on 31 May.

The first to suffer was the young Peter, in the city of Lampsacus in the Hellespont. Brought to the judgment of the governor Optimus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in Christ. The pious youth was pressed to renounce the Lord and to bow to the idol of the goddess Venus, but the martyr refused, saying in the hearing of all that a Christian would not bow to the idol of a lewd woman. Saint Peter was subjected to cruel tortures, which he bore bravely, thanking the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave him His almighty help, and was beheaded with the sword. At the same time Dionysius, Nicomachus and two soldiers brought from Mesopotamia, as well as Andrew and Paul, were brought to trial. All confessed their faith in Christ and refused to sacrifice to the idols, for which they were tormented. To the great grief of the Christians, Nicomachus did not stand firm and renounced the Lord Jesus Christ, went to the shrine and offered sacrifice. At once a terrible possession seized him and he died in fearful torments. The renunciation of Nicomachus was heard in the crowd by a maiden of sixteen, Christina, who cried out that the wretched and lost man had gained, for a single hour, eternal and unspeakable torment. The words reached the governor, who ordered the holy maiden seized and, learning from her that she was a Christian, gave her over to be defiled by dissolute men. Into the house where she was taken an angel came. Frightened by his threatening appearance, the young men began, with tears, to ask forgiveness of the holy maiden and to beg her to pray for them, that the punishment of the Lord might not overtake them.

The next morning Saints Dionysius, Andrew and Paul again stood before the governor. For the confession of faith in Christ, they were given to the pagan crowd to be torn apart. The saints were tied by the feet, dragged to the place of execution and there stoned. During the execution Saint Christina ran up to die together with the martyrs, but, by the governor's order, she was beheaded with the sword.