Porphyrius of Pisidian Antioch

Holy Martyr Porphyrius of Pisidian Antioch was a soldier and died a martyr in the year 202, beside the Holy Hieromartyr Charalambos, bishop of Magnesia, the martyr Baptos and three women martyrs.

St Charalambos, bishop of the city of Magnesia in Thessaly, in north-⁠eastern Greece, spread the faith in Christ with success. The news of his preaching reached the governor of the region, Lucian, and the commander of soldiers, Lucius, by whose order he was seized and brought to trial, where he firmly confessed his faith and refused to sacrifice to the idols. Although he was very old, a hundred and thirteen years of age, he was subjected to terrible torments: they tore his body with iron hooks until they had flayed his skin from head to foot. The saint turned to his tormentors and thanked them, since, he said, they had renewed his spirit.

Seeing the old man's patience and lack of resentment, two soldiers, Porphyrius and Baptos, openly confessed Christ and were put to the sword on the spot. Three women who were present at the bishop's torments also began to glorify Christ and were killed at once. Lucius, enraged, took up the instruments of torture himself, but his hands suddenly withered, as if cut off; the governor, who came and spat in the saint's face, had his head turned backward. Lucius then begged for mercy and, through the saint's prayer, both tormentors were healed; many witnesses believed in Christ, among them Lucius.

Lucian reported the event to the emperor Septimius Severus (193-211), who was then in Pisidian Antioch, and he ordered Charalambos brought to him, which was done with unheard-⁠of cruelty: they dragged him by a rope tied to his beard. The emperor ordered him tormented still more, and they burned him with fire, but the power of God kept him unharmed. Through the saint's prayer wonders took place: a dead young man rose and a demoniac tormented for thirty-⁠five years was healed. The people confessed Christ in great numbers, and even the emperor's daughter, Galina, believed and twice shattered the idols in the pagan temple. On the emperor's order the saint was struck on the mouth with stones and they tried to set his beard on fire, from which a flame came out and scorched the tormentors. Septimius Severus and his official Crispus blasphemed the Lord, mockingly calling Him to come down to earth. The Lord shook the earth and the two blasphemers hung in the air, bound by invisible bonds, until they were brought down through the saint's prayer. Frightened, the emperor wavered for a moment, but fell again into error and condemned the saint to be put to the sword. In his last prayer the saint saw the Saviour, from whom he asked peace and fruitfulness for the place where his relics would rest, and forgiveness of sins and salvation for men. The Lord promised to fulfil the request and, ascending to heaven, took with Him the soul of the saint, who died in peace before the execution. The emperor's daughter, blessed Galina, buried his body with great honour.

St Porphyrius is commemorated on 23 February, in the new style.