Mardonius of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Mardonius of Nicomedia suffered in the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian (284-305), beside the Holy Hieromartyr Anthimus, bishop of Nicomedia, the deacon Theophilus and Dorotheus, Migdonius, Peter, Indes, Gorgonius, Zeno, the virgin Domna and Euthymius. The persecution grew fiercer after a fire in the palace at Nicomedia, of which the pagans accused the Christians; on the day of the Nativity alone up to twenty thousand people were burned in a church. Mardonius died then, like Dorotheus, Migdonius, Peter, Indes and Gorgonius, some beheaded, others burned, buried alive or drowned. Zeno, a soldier, was stoned and beheaded for rebuking the emperor; Domna and Euthymius, who buried the martyrs, were also killed.

Bishop Anthimus

Anthimus had hidden in a village, at his flock's request, and from there wrote to the Christians not to fear torments. A letter carried by the deacon Theophilus was intercepted, and Theophilus died under torture without giving away the place. Maximian learned later where he was and sent soldiers; on the road the bishop met them himself, fed them and told them who he was. The soldiers believed and were baptized, but the saint made them carry out the order. Before the emperor he said that one who himself desires to die for Christ cannot be frightened by torments; he was tormented and beheaded in 302, glorifying God to his last breath.

The memory of Mardonius is kept on 10 January and on 16 September, in the new style.