Petronius

Holy Martyr Petronius was probably a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. Saint Hermione, daughter of the deacon Philip, met him at Ephesus, where she had gone with her sister Eutychis, and he strengthened her in the work of proclaiming the Gospel. The Greek synaxarion says that Petronius then departed in peace to the Lord.

The verses play on his name: Christ was for Petronius the rock (petra) that kept him above the force of temptations. The Church commemorates him on 4 September (new style), the same day as Saint Hermione.