Trophimus of Laodicea

Holy Hieromartyr Trophimus of Laodicea, a priest, served in Laodicea of Caria together with his brother, the priest Thalus. In the persecution of Diocletian (284-305) and his co-⁠emperor Maximian (284-305), the brothers were taken into custody and brought before the governor Asclepiodotus. He ordered them stoned, but the stones thrown at the saints flew back and struck those who threw them. After a second examination they were condemned to crucifixion. On the way to the place of execution they glorified God that they were found worthy, like the Saviour, of death on the cross. Even hanging on the cross they continued to preach, while their mother stood fearlessly at the foot of the crosses. A Jewish woman bowed to them and cried out that blessed are the mothers who bore such sons.

When the martyrs gave up their spirit to God, the prison guard told how he had seen the souls of the brothers rising to heaven accompanied by three angels. The people did not leave the bodies of the saints all night. In the morning the wife of Asclepiodotus came to the place of execution with fragrant spices and a costly covering, and told the people that during the night she had seen in a dream the holy martyrs and the angels sent to punish her husband. The mother of the martyrs and two Christians, Zosimus and Artemius, buried the saints in their native city, Stratonicea. Asclepiodotus soon fell ill and died a dreadful death.

Saint Trophimus is commemorated on 29 March, in the new style.