Hermippus of Nicomedia

Holy Hieromartyr Hermippus of Nicomedia was a priest and received a martyr's death around the year 305, in the time of the Emperor Maximian (284-305), together with the priests Hermolaus and Hermocrates. The three priests of Nicomedia are among the few who survived after, by order of the emperor, twenty thousand Christians were burned in the church of Nicomedia in the year 303.

They hid in remote places and did not cease to teach the pagans the Christian faith. The young pagan Pantoleon, the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, often passed the house where Hermolaus was hiding. One day Hermolaus invited him in and explained the falsity and impiety of worshipping the pagan gods. From that day Pantoleon came to Hermolaus every day and received Holy Baptism from him.

When the trial of Saint Panteleimon took place, Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates were seized too. On the eve the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Hermolaus and revealed to him that the next day he would suffer for Him and receive the crown of martyrdom.

All three were brought to trial and told to renounce Christ and sacrifice to the idols. They firmly refused, confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their wish to die gladly for Him. The pagans began to threaten them with torments and death, but suddenly a strong earthquake began and the idols in the shrine fell and were shattered. Learning of it, Maximian became enraged, gave the martyrs over to torture and sentenced them to death. Bravely enduring all the torments, the priest-⁠martyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates were beheaded around the year 305.

The Synaxarion commemorates them on 8 August (new style).