Marcellus of Sicily

The Holy Hieromartyrs Marcellus of Sicily, Philagrius of Cyprus and Pancratius of Taormina were disciples of the holy Apostle Peter and were made bishops by him: Marcellus for Sicily, Philagrius for Cyprus and Pancratius for Taormina. According to the synaxarion, they were put to death for spreading the faith of Christ among the pagans.

Other accounts say that Marcellus was Pancratius's father in the flesh and that, hearing of the Lord's miracles, he went from Antioch to Jerusalem with his son and wife to see Him, but the Lord had already ascended, so they were baptized by the Apostle Peter. Pancratius preached the word of Christ in Taormina and was secretly killed by the Montanists; he is also commemorated on 9 July. Marcellus converted many Greek pagans and ended his life in peace, and Philagrius taught in Cyprus and, after many trials for the true faith, departed to the Lord. They are commemorated together on 9 February (new style; 22 February on the old calendar).