Patricius of Prusa

Saint Patricius, hieromartyr, was bishop of Prusa in Bithynia, in Asia Minor, put to the sword together with three of his companions. The Greek source places him in the third century, while the summary we have places him in the time of Julian the Apostate. He is commemorated on 19 May.

Saint Patricius was a man of great theological training and became bishop of Prusa. From that seat he strove to turn many people from the worship of idols. He chose three helpers, Acacius, Menander and Polyaenus, with whose help many pagans accepted Christianity. This angered the priests of the idols, who denounced him to the governor Julian, a former consul, and he ordered their arrest.

The governor tried first, without success, through theological discussions, to persuade Patricius that Christ is not God. Saint Patricius answered the local governor with skill in speech that Christ is the one and true God. Seeing himself defeated in the dispute, the governor ordered the beheading of Patricius and of his helpers, Acacius, Menander and Polyaenus.