Ostrichius of Melitene

Holy Martyr Ostrichius of Melitene is commemorated on 20 November together with the Holy Martyr Hieron and the other Christians who suffered in the city of Melitene, in the time of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The Azbyka page says nothing about him individually; it tells the martyrdom of Hieron and his companions.

Hieron was born in Tyana, in Greater Cappadocia, of a devout mother named Stratonike. When the emperors learned that the people of Armenia and Cappadocia refused to worship idols, they sent two fierce officials, Agricolaus to Armenia and Lysias to Cappadocia, with orders to put to death the Christians who would not bow to the gods and to enlist strong men in the army. Lysias heard of Hieron's strength and sent soldiers for him. Hieron, believing that a Christian could not serve together with idolaters, drove them off, and then withdrew with eighteen Christians into a cave. A friend, Cyriacus, persuaded him out with gentle words. Hieron took leave of his mother, an old blind widow, and set out for Melitene, assured in a vision that he was going toward the crown of confession.

At Melitene Hieron was imprisoned with thirty-⁠three other Christians and urged them not to sacrifice to idols. Brought to trial, they confessed Christ, and Hieron's hand was cut off at the elbow. A relative of his, Victor, bribed an official to strike his name from the register and died soon after, without the martyr's crown. After five days Lysias condemned them all to death by the sword. On the way to the place of execution they sang a psalm, then knelt in prayer and were beheaded. A wealthy man named Chrysaphius ransomed Hieron's head with gold, and the hand was carried to his mother, Stratonike, who laid it where her son had asked. Later Chrysaphius built a church on the place where the martyrs had been killed and placed the saint's head in it.

Ostrichius is commemorated on 20 November, in the new style.