Plutarch, Serenus, Heraclides, Heron, Rhais, Potamiaena and Marcella

Holy Martyrs Plutarch, Serenus, Heraclides, Heron, Rhais, Potamiaena and Marcella suffered at Alexandria, around the year 202, in the persecution of Septimius Severus; several of them were disciples of Origen.

The persecution began in 202, a year before Origen was set over the catechetical school. According to Eusebius, many of his pupils showed themselves ready for martyrdom. The first was Plutarch, brother of Heraclas, who was to become bishop of Alexandria; both had been converted by hearing Origen's lectures. Origen visited him in prison and accompanied him to the place of execution, where he himself barely escaped the anger of Plutarch's pagan friends. Serenus was burned alive; Heraclides, still a catechumen, and Heron, recently baptized, were beheaded; another Serenus was beheaded after many torments. Rhais, a girl not yet baptized, was burned, being, as Origen said, baptized by fire.

The best known was Potamiaena, a young slave of rare beauty, raised in the faith by her mother, Marcella. Her pagan master wished to dishonour her and, unable to move her, handed her to the prefect Aquila. The prefect tortured her and threatened her with a cauldron of boiling pitch. Potamiaena asked not to be stripped, but to be lowered into the cauldron clothed, by degrees, that he might see with what patience Christ strengthens those who trust in him. The soldier Basilides, who led her to her death, treated her gently and kept back the crowd that mocked her; she promised him that after her death she would ask God for his salvation. Her mother, Marcella, was burned at the same time. It is told that Potamiaena appeared to Basilides and that he afterwards confessed that he was a Christian and was beheaded.

Their commemoration is kept on 28 June in the Western calendar. They are saints of the undivided Church, honoured without synodal canonization.