Florus

Holy Venerable Florus was bishop of Amisus (Aminsou) and fell asleep in peace at the beginning of the seventh century. He is commemorated on 18 December.

He was the son of the Christians Florus and Euphemia, who gave him a good education. He entered the service of the Byzantine court and was raised to the rank of patrician; he was married and had children. After his wife and children died of smallpox, he left the world, distributed his property and withdrew to a small estate on the outskirts of Constantinople, at Anaplous, where he lived alone and piously. There, reading religious books and praying, he decided to enter the clergy. He was distinguished by his gift for teaching and by virtue and was chosen bishop of Amisus in Asia Minor (according to the Greek synaxarion, in Cappadocia). He wisely guided his flock and was an archpastor in word and deed. He lived in the time of the emperors Justin II, Tiberius and Maurice and died in deep old age, in peace.