Dorotheus of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Dorotheus of Nicomedia suffered in the persecution of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian (284-305), in the city of Nicomedia, together with Bishop Anthimus, the deacon Theophilus and the other martyrs of the city: Mardonius, Mygdonius, Peter, Indes, Gorgonius, Zeno, the virgin Domna and Euthymius.

The persecution grew fiercer after a fire broke out in the imperial palace at Nicomedia. The pagans accused the Christians of deliberate arson and treated them with unheard-⁠of cruelty: on a single Christmas Day, in one church, up to twenty thousand worshippers were burned. The Christians were not frightened but confessed their faith and died for Christ. Then Dorotheus, Mardonius, Mygdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius suffered; some were beheaded, others burned, buried alive in the earth or drowned.

Zeno, a soldier, was stoned and then beheaded for boldly rebuking Maximian. Domna, a former pagan priestess, and Euthymius took care that the bodies of the martyrs were buried, and were killed by the pagans.

Bishop Anthimus, the shepherd of the Church of Nicomedia, hid at the request of his flock in a village near by and from there wrote to the Christians, urging them to hold the faith and not to fear torments. A letter sent through the deacon Theophilus was intercepted and carried to Maximian. Theophilus died under torture without revealing where the bishop was. Maximian nonetheless learned where Anthimus was and sent soldiers for him; they met him on the road without knowing him, and he gave them a meal and then told them who he was.

The soldiers believed in Christ and were baptized, but Anthimus made them carry out the order. Before the emperor he said that instruments of torture do not frighten one who wishes to die for Christ. He was tortured and beheaded in 302.

Dorotheus is commemorated on 10 January and on 16 September (new style), together with the company of the martyrs of Nicomedia.