Silvanus

Holy Martyr Silvanus lived in the time of Emperor Maximian, when the governor of Palestine was Urbanus (about the year 298). He was sentenced to be tormented in the mines, that is, to forced labour in the metal mines, until he died in the place called Phaino (Phano).

The verses of the synaxarion say that, cast into the mines, Silvanus left the mine and “exchanged” his life, playing on the Greek words for “mine” and “exchange”. The Church honours him as a confessor who died in forced labour for Christ and commemorates him on 5 November (new style).