Mammius of Corfu

Holy Martyr Mammius of Corfu was one of the seven robbers turned to Christ by the holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater in the prison on the island of Kerkyra (Corfu), where they died as martyrs in a cauldron of melted pitch, sulphur and wax. With him died Saturninus, Iakischolus, Faustian, Januarius, Marsalius and Euphrasius; Murinus, Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis are also commemorated.

The apostles

Jason was from Tarsus, Sosipater from Achaia, both disciples of the holy Apostle Paul, who called them his "kinsmen". Jason was bishop in Tarsus, Sosipater at Iconium. In the year 63 they came to Kerkyra, built a church of Saint Stephen and baptized many. The governor imprisoned them, the apostles brought the seven robbers in the prison to faith, and the prison guard, confessing himself a Christian, was cut down in turn at hand, feet and head.

Kerkyra

The governor's daughter, Kerkyra, believed in Christ and gave her jewels to the poor. Her father sent the robber Murinus to her, but a bear rushed at him; the maiden drove the beast away and healed his wounds, and Murinus confessed himself a Christian and was killed. After burning the prison, the governor ordered his daughter hung from a tree, suffocated with smoke and shot with arrows. He then ordered the Christians of the island killed: Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis were burned. The governor perished in the waves pursuing the fugitives, and his successor, seeing the apostles unharmed in boiling pitch, cried with tears to their God, was baptized with the name Sebastian and helped them build churches.

They are commemorated on 11 May, in the new style.