Philetaerus of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Philetaerus of Nicomedia suffered twice for Christ, once under Diocletian (284-305) and once under Maximian (305-311), and died in the year 311.

When Diocletian came to Nicomedia, Saint Philetaerus, tall of stature and handsome of face, was brought to trial. Seeing him, the emperor likened him to a pagan god. Asked about his rank and family, the martyr said that he was the son of an eparch, a Christian by faith, and that he lived with Christians. The emperor gently urged him to renounce and blasphemed the Lord Jesus Christ, but the saint said that the mouth should be shut of anyone, emperor or other, who dares to blaspheme his Christ. After these words the martyr was thrown into a red-⁠hot furnace, but came out unharmed. Then Diocletian, impressed by the wonder and taking into account the saint's rank and beauty, let him go free.

To the emperor Maximian too it was reported that Philetaerus was a Christian. Brought before him, the martyr again confessed faith in Christ. For this he was subjected to tortures, then thrown to wild beasts, but remained unharmed. Then he was condemned to be beheaded with the sword, but two servants who were charged with the execution could not kill him: as soon as they raised the sword over the martyr's head, their hands ceased to obey. Convinced that the Lord invisibly guarded the holy martyr, the two executioners believed in Christ and themselves suffered for the faith by beheading with the sword.

Saint Philetaerus was sentenced to exile on Proconnesus, one of the islands of the Sea of Marmara. On the way he performed many miracles and shattered the temples of the idols. The six soldiers who accompanied him into exile, with their commander, believed in Christ. On the road Saint Eubiotus came out to meet them, who also had suffered much for Christ. The saints met with joy, and in the cell of Eubiotus they lived seven days together with the soldiers and their commander. There Saint Philetaerus died (311) and was buried by Eubiotus. After eleven days the soldiers and their commander died and were buried near Saint Philetaerus.

The saint is commemorated on 12 January.