Dukitius of Melitene

Holy Martyr Dukitius of Melitene is commemorated in the company of the martyrs of Melitene who suffered together with Saint Hieron, in the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The Synaxarion says nothing specific about him, but tells in outline the struggle of the thirty-⁠four confessors.

Hieron, born at Tyana in Cappadocia of the devout Stratonice, refused to enter the army among the worshippers of idols. The official Lysias, sent to persecute the Christians of Cappadocia, sent soldiers for him, but Hieron put them to flight and hid in a cave with eighteen Christians. In the end a friend, Cyriacus, persuaded him to go back home to his mother, an old blind widow, from where he set out for Melitene with his relatives. On the road at night a man in white raiment told him that he walked the right way and would soon receive honour from the heavenly King.

At Melitene he was shut in prison with thirty-⁠three other Christians, whom he strengthened not to bow to idols but to offer God a sacrifice of praise. All received his word with joy. Lysias tried them the next day, had them beaten with rods and ordered them beheaded. Going to the place of execution, the martyrs sang the psalm Blessed are the undefiled in the way, then knelt, asked Christ to receive their souls and were beheaded.

The head of Hieron was ransomed with gold by a rich man, Chrysaphius, who later built a church on the place of the killing. His hand was carried to his mother Stratonice by his relatives Anthony and Matronian.

The Synaxarion commemorates them on 20 November (new style).