Florentius of Thessaloniki

Saint Florentius, martyr, was born in Thessaloniki and died a martyr at the end of the second century or the beginning of the third. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 13 October, which is 26 October by the new calendar.

Being a Christian, he was devoted to piety and virtue. He preached the Gospel and exposed the false gods whom the people of that time worshipped. He strengthened Christians in the faith, striving with all his strength to teach them the fulfilment of the commandments of the Lord and of good works.

For this the governor of the city of Thessaloniki ordered him to be arrested and brought to trial. Before all, Florentius boldly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as God and Creator and showed that the pagan gods are nothing but wood, stone, gold, silver, bronze and iron, soulless and dead idols. For such a speech he was cruelly beaten, then hung on a tree and scraped. After that he was thrown into fire, and the holy martyr died rejoicing, praying and giving thanks to God.