Neon of Maromilia

Holy Martyr Neon of Maromilia is counted among the martyrs Alexander, Alpheus, Zosimas, Mark, Nikon, Neon and Heliodorus, and others, who suffered for confessing the faith of Christ in various places in Asia Minor, in the time of Diocletian (284-305). Saint Mark, a shepherd, was seized for openly confessing the Christian faith in the neighbourhood of Antioch of Pisidia. The thirty soldiers who took him were converted by Saint Mark and were beheaded at Nicaea, while Mark was put to torments. To make the instruments of torture three brother smiths from the village of Katalita (or Kalita), Alexander, Alpheus and Zosimas, were summoned, but the iron would not be worked, it melted, and the smiths' hands went stiff. Hearing a voice calling them to suffer with Saint Mark, the brothers believed in Christ. After heavy torments molten tin was poured down their throats (28 September). Saint Mark, after torture, was beheaded at Claudiopolis (21 September). When the head of the holy martyr was brought into the shrine of Artemis, all the idols fell and were shattered. The witnesses of the wonder, Nikon, Neon, Heliodorus, maidens and children, believed in Christ, confessed their faith and died as martyrs in Maromilia (13 July). Neon is commemorated on 11 October, in the new style.