Sosthenes of Chalcedon

Holy Martyr Sosthenes of Chalcedon was a soldier in the time of Diocletian's persecution, around the year 304, and is mentioned in the Life of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia. The proconsul Priscus ordered the soldiers Victor and Sosthenes to throw Saint Euphemia into a red-⁠hot furnace. In the flames, however, they saw angels who prevented them from touching her, and when they refused to carry out the order, they were put in shackles. Other soldiers, who threw Euphemia into the fire, were burnt by the flames escaping from the furnace, while the martyr remained unharmed inside.

The proconsul tried to make Victor and Sosthenes bow to the idols, but they replied that they had come to know the true God. As they were led to the wild beasts, they begged the Lord to forgive the sins committed in their pagan delusion; then a voice came from heaven calling them to their rest, and they gave up their souls. The animals did not touch their bodies, which some Christians later buried in secret.

They are commemorated on 16 September (new style); the Roman Martyrology has them on 10 September.