Peter of Syracuse

Holy Martyr Peter of Syracuse is commemorated on 6 October with the martyrs Andrew, John and John's children, Peter and Antoninus. They suffered in the ninth century, in the time of the cruel emir Ibrahim, who ruled Africa. After the capture and destruction of Syracuse in Sicily, Ibrahim took John and his two sons, Peter and Antoninus, captive, brought them to Africa and made them learn the Arabic language and the sciences. When the young men grew up, the emir came to love them for their wisdom and virtuous life, called Antoninus his kinsman and made Peter chief steward. But learning that the young men secretly confessed the faith of Christ, he fell into unrestrained anger and ordered them shackled in iron stocks and beaten with knotty sticks. After a long beating, Antoninus was set on a donkey and, tied with straps, led through the city, beaten and mocked. The martyr bore all the insults and gave thanks to God. Peter, after the harsh beating, was thrown into prison.

Their father, John, was then brought. The cruel Ibrahim seized him by the throat with his left hand and with his right plunged a knife into his throat. The father's body was thrown beside the bodies of his children, and by the emir's order a great fire was made, into which the bodies of the holy martyrs were thrown. The elder Andrew the tormentor kept long hungry, then pierced him in the chest with a spear. When the martyr began to give thanks to God in prayer, Ibrahim pierced him a second time, and the killers cut off his head with a sword while he bled.

Saint Peter is commemorated on 6 October, in the new style.