Theogenes

Holy Martyr Theogenes was a bishop in the city of Parium in Asia Minor. In the time of the Emperor Licinius, soldiers seized him in Phrygia. The tribune Zalychintius, commander of the province's army, wished to force him into military service, but Theogenes refused. For this he was stretched out, tied to four posts and beaten with rods. During the torture Theogenes predicted that the tribune and the optio would have their knees broken and that Licinius would suffer defeat. After that he was shut in prison, where he refused to take food. Learning of this, Licinius ordered him thrown into the sea. Theogenes asked the executioners for time to pray and prayed for three hours. Christians believe that during the prayer he was illumined by an unusual light and that the sailors and soldiers who were to kill him passed over to Christianity.

After that Theogenes was sunk in the sea, where he drowned, around the year 320. Christians drew his body out of the water and buried it near the city walls. It is believed that many miracles and healings of various illnesses came from the saint's relics. The Church commemorates him on 2 January by the old calendar (15 January by the new).