Epictetus of Halmyris

Holy Hieromartyr Epictetus of Halmyris was a priest and received a martyr's death in the year 290, in the time of the Emperor Diocletian, together with the monk Astion, in the land of Scythia, near the mouths of the Danube. The venerable martyrs Epictetus and Astion are also honoured in Dobrudja.

The priest Epictetus, a virtuous man, had given his life to God from youth. He received the gift of working wonders, and through his prayers many healings were wrought of those tormented by unclean spirits and by various diseases. Once, during a walk, the young pagan Astion, son of the local governor, came by. In a long conversation, Epictetus enlightened him and sowed in the young man's soul the Word of God, telling him of the true God, of the great value of the immortal human soul and of the nothingness of the short-⁠lived pleasures of earth.

Believing in Christ and receiving Holy Baptism, the young man begged his teacher to go with him to some far country, to give all his life to God. Boarding a ship, Epictetus and Astion sailed to the land of the Scythians. At the mouths of the Danube they settled not far from the city of Halmyris, among pagan Slavs, and spent their life in the labours of fasting and prayer.

The God-⁠pleasing life of the hermits could not long remain unknown to the world. People sick with various diseases and possessed by evil spirits began to come to the saints, and received healing through their prayers. The pagans too began to ask the help of the ascetics and, receiving relief in their sufferings, turned to Christ.

At that time the governor of the region, Latronianus, came to Halmyris, and the pagan priests denounced Epictetus and Astion for drawing people to their faith by sorcery. The saints were seized and questioned. After thirty days in prison without food and water, Epictetus and Astion appeared again before the judge Latronianus, ready to take new sufferings for Christ with courage. They were condemned to be beheaded. The parents of the martyr Astion, Alexander and Marcellina, received Holy Baptism from the bishop of Tomis, Evangelus, who soon suffered for Christ himself by beheading.

The Synaxarion commemorates Epictetus and Astion on 20 July (new style).