Romanus of Samosata

Holy Martyr Romanus of Samosata suffered in the year 297, in the persecution of Diocletian (284-305), in the city of Samosata in Syria, on the Euphrates, together with the Holy Martyrs James, Philotheus, Hyperechius, Abibus, Julian and Parigorius.

They boldly condemned the madness of idol worship, were seized and given to various heavy torments: their bodies were scraped with iron, heavy iron chains were placed on their necks, they were thrown into prison and, in the end, hanged, their heads nailed to a cross.

St Romanus is commemorated on 11 February, in the new style.