Martyrs of Pergamon

The Martyrs of Pergamon are a group of Christians who died for the faith at Pergamon: Carpus, Papylus, Agathonice and Agathodorus. They are honoured as saints of the undivided Church.

According to Eusebius of Caesarea, they suffered in the persecution of Decius; other datings propose the year 170. Carpus was bishop of Gordion in Asia Minor; Papylus, a physician from Thyatira, of good family and with children, chose the religious life and was ordained deacon; Agathonice was his sister, and Agathodorus her servant. The four were arrested and brought to Pergamon before the Roman governor Valerius.

Valerius ordered them to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but they refused. Agathodorus was whipped to death before the others, who did not waver. Carpus and Papylus were tortured with iron combs and, not renouncing the faith, were burned in the amphitheatre. Agathonice, a mother and very old, was also taken to the pyre. Their commemoration is on 13 April.