Eutropius of Amasea

Holy Martyr Eutropius of Amasea was a friend of the Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit and suffered at Amasea in Pontus about the year 308, together with Cleonicus and Basiliscus. He is commemorated on 3 March (new style).

After Theodore's death the three friends were in prison and by their preaching brought many pagans imprisoned there to faith. When Publius, Theodore's tormentor, perished, the new governor, Asclepiodotus, was no gentler. Learning that Theodore's friends were still in prison, he summoned them and tried to persuade them. Eutropius boldly confessed the faith, and during the tortures the Saviour showed them angels and Saint Theodore the Recruit, telling them that He had come to help them. Soldiers and many people standing by also saw the Saviour and begged the governor to stop the tortures. The governor invited Eutropius to supper and asked him to offer public sacrifice to the gods but stay a Christian in soul; Eutropius refused. The next day he was taken to the pagan temple, where he prayed to the Lord to destroy the rage of the pagans and that the bloodless sacrifice of Christians be offered on that spot. Tradition says that Eutropius and Cleonicus died crucified, while Basiliscus was beheaded at Comana.