Papius of Corinth

Holy Martyr Papius of Corinth is commemorated, on 13 February and 23 March, in the company of the martyrs around Saint Codratus: Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens, another Dionysius, Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus, Serapion, Papius, Leonidas, the holy women Chariessa, Nunechia, Basilissa, Nike, Galla, Galina, Theodora and others. The Azbyka page tells the fate of the group, and of Papius it says only that he was drowned in the sea together with Leonidas.

During a persecution in the third century a devout woman named Rufina fled from Corinth into the mountains and there gave birth to Codratus, dying soon after the birth. The infant lived by God's providence: a cloud came down upon him and fed him with sweet dew. He spent his childhood and youth in the wilderness. Later he met some Christians who enlightened him with the true faith, he learned to read, and then the art of healing, in which he made great progress. Yet he loved above all the stillness of the wilderness and spent most of his time in the mountains in prayer. Many years passed in this way, and his friends and followers, among them Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul and Crescens, often came to hear him.

By command of the emperor Decius (249-251), the general Jason came to Corinth. Codratus was seized with his friends and thrown into prison. At the trial he courageously defended Christ, and the torments did not stop him from strengthening the others. Jason ordered them thrown to wild beasts, but the beasts did not touch them. They were tied by the feet to chariots and dragged through the city while the crowd threw stones, and then they were condemned to be beheaded. At the place of execution they asked for a little time to pray and, one by one, bowed their heads beneath the sword.

The other disciples of Codratus suffered also: one Dionysius was stabbed, Victorinus, Victor and Nicephorus were crushed alive in an enormous stone mortar, Claudius had his hands and feet cut off, Diodorus threw himself into the fire prepared for him, Serapion was beheaded, and Papius and Leonidas were drowned in the sea. Following the men's example, many holy women also went willingly to torment for Christ.

Saint Papius is commemorated on 13 February and 23 March, in the new style.