Sisinius of Nicopolis

Holy Martyr Sisinius of Nicopolis was one of the forty-⁠five martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia, slain in the time of Emperor Licinius (307-324).

Licinius, co-⁠emperor with Constantine the Great, cruelly persecuted Christians and in his eastern region issued a decree that all who would not return to paganism should be tormented and put to death. When the persecution began at Nicopolis, more than forty followers of Christ resolved to present themselves voluntarily to the persecutors, to confess openly the Son of God and to accept torments. The confessors were led by Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony and Alexander, known for their virtuous life. The governor Lysias, before whom they stood, was amazed at the unanimity and courage of men who condemned themselves to torment and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints stayed unmoved and refuted all the governor's arguments, showing that the pagan gods are vile and full of vices and lead to destruction those who bow to them. The governor ordered the confessors struck in the face with stones, then shackled and thrown into prison.

In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the psalms of David. Leontius encouraged and strengthened his brethren, preparing them for new torments, recounting the courage of all who had earlier suffered for Christ. In the morning, after a second refusal to sacrifice to the idols, the saints were given again to torture. Leontius, seeing the sufferings of the martyrs and fearing lest some should lose heart, prayed to God to send all of them a quick end of the struggle. At midnight, as the martyrs sang psalms, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the prison was lit with light. The angel announced that their struggle was nearing its end and that their names were written in heaven. Two jailers, Meneus and Viriladus, saw what happened and came to believe in Christ. The next day the governor resolved to put the witnesses of Christ to death. After fierce torments they were burned, and their bones thrown into the river (around the year 318). The faithful found them, gathered them and preserved them. Later, when freedom was given to the Church, a church was raised on that place in the name of the forty-⁠five martyrs.

Sisinius is commemorated on 23 July, in the new style.