Nilus

Saint Nilus of Palestine was an Egyptian confessor and martyr, according to some sources a bishop, according to others a priest, of the time of Diocletian's persecution. He was one of four Christians who led the liturgy for the persecuted Christians condemned to work in the quarries of Palestine. Learning of this, the emperor Galerius had him burned alive, together with the other leaders, Peleus, Elias and Patermutius, and the Christians were dispersed to the mines of Cyprus and Lebanon.

Alban Butler says they had built small oratories in which they met for the service, as their comfort in suffering; the governor Firmilian informed Galerius, who ordered that they be sent to other places. After Firmilian was beheaded, the officer who took his place had four of them burned alive: Peleus and Nilus, two Egyptian priests, Elias, also a priest, and Patermutius. He is commemorated on 19 September (new style), with his companions, and is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.