Martyr
Saturninus of Crete
A martyr of Crete, put to death for his faith around 250.
- Feast
- December 23old style January 5
- Reposed
- 2503rd century
- Order
- Martyrs
Life
Holy Martyr Saturninus of Crete (Satornin) was one of the ten holy martyrs of Crete, who suffered for Christ in the third century, in the time of the Emperor Decius (249-251). The ten are Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zoticus, Pompeius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus.
At that time Crete was governed by an official who bore the same name as the emperor, Decius, and who cruelly persecuted the Church of Crete. The ten Christians, from different cities of the island, appeared before him and steadfastly confessed their faith in Christ, rebuking the worship of idols. For thirty days they were subjected to harsh tortures, which they endured with God's help, glorifying the Lord. Before dying they prayed that God would enlighten their tormentors with the light of the true faith. All were beheaded.
The ten martyrs are commemorated together on 23 December, by the old calendar.
Commemorated the same day December 23
Dagobert IIRight-Believing · King of AustrasiaDec 23- Nephon I of ConstantinopleSaint · Patriarch of ConstantinopleDec 23
Theoctistus of NovgorodSaint · Archbishop of NovgorodDec 23- Niphon of CyprusSaint · Bishop of Constantia in CyprusDec 23
- Paul of NeocaesareaConfessor · Bishop of NeocaesareaDec 23
- Antonina of TismanaVenerable · Nun of Tismana MonasteryDec 23
- David of DvinskMartyrDec 23
- AgathopusMartyr · Martyr of GortynaDec 23
- Agathopus of CreteMartyrDec 23
- Anfadan of Ros IngiteSaintDec 23
- Basil SpasskyHieromartyrDec 23
- BasilidesMartyr · Martyr of GortynaDec 23