Onesiphorus and Porphyry

Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyry were Greek martyrs of early Christianity, put to death at the beginning of the fourth century (between 284 and 305), in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian. The Orthodox Church commemorates them on 9 November by the old calendar (22 November by the new).

When it was learned that Onesiphorus and Porphyry confessed the Christian faith and preached it openly, they were subjected to grievous torments and tortures. They were beaten over the whole body, then, laid on long pans, a fire was lit and they were burned. After that the saints were tied to wild and fierce horses. Dragged by them over the stony and uneven ground, the holy martyrs were torn completely apart and in such torments gave their souls to God.

The faithful gathered the torn remains of the saints and buried them with honour, and from them various miracles and healings began to flow. The resting of the holy relics of Onesiphorus and Porphyry in the village of Pangian (or Pankean), in Macedonia, near Mount Pangaion, and the miracles that flowed from them, is mentioned in the ninth ode of the canon composed by Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (died 886).