Heliodorus of Maromilia

Holy Martyr Heliodorus of Maromilia is commemorated with the holy martyrs Alexander, Alpheus, Zosimas, Mark the shepherd, Nicon and Neon. The Azbyka page lists him only among those who witnessed a miracle and then suffered at Maromilia, and says nothing else about him.

They suffered for confessing faith in Christ in different places in Asia Minor, in the time of Diocletian (284 to 305). Saint Mark, a shepherd, was seized for openly confessing the faith near Antioch of Pisidia. The thirty soldiers who took him were converted by him and were beheaded at Nicaea, while Mark was put to torture. Three brother smiths from the village of Katalita or Kalita, Alexander, Alpheus and Zosimas, were called to make the instruments of torture. But the iron would not yield and melted, and the smiths' hands grew numb. Hearing a voice that called them to suffer together with Mark, the brothers believed in Christ. After heavy torments molten tin was poured into their throats (on 28 September).

Saint Mark, after his torments, was beheaded at Claudiopolis (on 21 September). When the head of the holy martyr was carried into the temple of Artemis, all the idols fell and were shattered. The witnesses of this miracle, Nicon, Neon and Heliodorus, together with maidens and children, believed in Christ, confessed their faith and died as martyrs in Maromilia (on 13 July).

The Church commemorates them on 11 October, in the new style.