Theonas of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Theonas of Nicomedia was a soldier and received the crown of martyrdom in the year 303, together with the soldiers Christopher and Antoninus, in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284-305).

The three were spearmen of the emperor. They were present at the sufferings of the holy Great Martyr George (commemorated on 23 April) and saw the wonders done by the power of God, and the faith and unshaken courage of George. The soldiers believed in the Saviour, threw off the golden belts of their service and declared themselves Christians before the emperor. They were thrown into prison at once. On the next day the emperor tried to persuade the former soldiers to renounce Christ, but they firmly confessed their faith and glorified the Saviour as the true God. The emperor ordered them beaten with iron rods and their bodies scraped with hooks. The saints bravely bore all the torments and remained unmoved. Then Diocletian ordered them burned.

Saint Theonas is commemorated with Christopher and Antoninus on 2 May.