Macedonia of Smyrna

Holy Martyr Macedonia of Smyrna was a woman from the village of Karina, imprisoned at Smyrna for confessing the name of the Lord, in the time of the persecution of the emperor Decius (249-251). The Azbyka page commemorates her with the Holy Hieromartyrs Pionius and Linus, presbyters of Smyrna, with the Holy Martyr Sabina and with the Holy Martyr Asclepiades.

Smyrna was a famous trading city on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea, and its Church, founded by the holy Apostle John the Theologian, was known for the firmness of its confessors. Learning of the beginning of the persecution, Saint Pionius, with Sabina and Asclepiades, prepared by strict fasting and increased prayer and put three twisted chains on himself and his companions. They were seized on 23 February, on the day of the commemoration of the Holy Hieromartyr Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (died 167), a feast for all the Christians of the city. After a short questioning they were taken to prison. There they met the priest of the cathedral church of Smyrna, Linus, and Macedonia, from the village of Karina, who had also been bound for confessing the Name of the Lord.

Many of the faithful came to the prison with what they could bring, but the saints gave everything to the guards. Some also came who, for fear of torments, had sacrificed to idols, and Pionius wept bitterly for them and urged them to repent with all their heart. After many torments, on 11 March 250, Saint Pionius was nailed to a cross, and the cross was surrounded with wood and set alight. After the fire died down, his body was found unharmed, his hair untouched, and his face shone with divine grace. The page says nothing about the end of Macedonia.

The saints of Smyrna are commemorated on 24 March, in the new style.