Peter of Adrianople

Holy Hieromartyr Peter of Adrianople, a bishop, is commemorated on 4 February with the martyr bishops Manuel, George and Leontius (Leo) and the priests Sionius, Gabriel, John, Leontius and Parod. All came from different parts of the Roman Empire, lived at Adrianople in the time of the emperor Leo the Armenian, and suffered at the hands of the Bulgarians.

Khan Krum devastated Thrace and Macedonia, came up to Constantinople and, after a three-⁠month siege, took Adrianople, carrying off all the inhabitants who had survived, up to forty thousand, among them the bishop of the city, whom he ordered thrown down and trampled. After the death of Krum and of his successor, Diceng came to power, who ordered that Bishop Manuel be sawn in two and his arms cut off to the shoulders, and that his remains be given to the dogs. God struck him with blindness, and his subjects soon killed him. Murtagon followed, who cruelly persecuted the Christians who would not renounce Christ.

The bishops George of Develt and Peter, who strengthened their flock in the faith, he gave to harsh beatings and then beheaded with the sword; seven Christians were put to death likewise. The commanders John and Leontius were also beheaded, Leontius the eunuch, bishop of Nicaea, was pierced through the belly, Gabriel and Sionius also died by the sword, and the priest Parod was stoned.

Saint Peter is commemorated on 4 February, in the new style.