Marcian of Constantinople

Holy Martyr Marcian of Constantinople, a reader, suffered around the year 355 together with the subdeacon Martyrius. Both served in the cathedral of Constantinople and also had the obedience of notaries, that is secretaries, to Patriarch Paul the Confessor (commemorated 6 November).

The Arian heretics drove out and secretly killed the righteous patriarch Paul, and his throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. They tried to draw Marcian and Martyrius to their side with flattery, offered them gold and promised them bishops' sees, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain. Then the impious men threatened to slander them before the emperor and frightened them with torments and death. But the saints firmly confessed the Orthodoxy handed down by the Fathers of the Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before dying, the martyrs raised to the Lord a fervent prayer, asking that He receive their souls in peace, since they were being killed for Him, and make them worthy to share eternal life. After the prayer, with quiet joy they bowed their heads under the sword of the unbelievers. Their holy bodies were buried reverently by Orthodox Christians. Later, at the urging of Saint John Chrysostom, the relics of the martyrs were moved to a church built especially for them, and many of the faithful were healed there of various diseases through the prayers of the saints.

They are commemorated on 7 November, in the new style.