Trophimus of Nicomedia

Saint Trophimus, martyr, was a soldier in Nicomedia in the time of the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian. He received the crown of martyrdom with his companion Eucarpius. His commemoration is on 18 March.

Trophimus was a soldier in Nicomedia and was known for the harshness with which he carried out the emperor's orders. Once, while he and Eucarpius were searching for Christians, they saw a great cloud of fire that came down from heaven and thickened as it came near them. From the cloud a voice was heard that rebuked them for their zeal in threatening the servants of God. The voice told them that no one can rule over those who believe in Him and that they would do better to join them, so as to win the Kingdom of heaven.

The two soldiers fell to the ground in fear and said that the God who had appeared to them was truly great. The Lord commanded them to rise and repent, telling them that their sins were forgiven. The soldiers rose and with one voice confessed God as Creator and the only true God and asked Him to receive them, for their sins were grievous. At once the cloud closed and rose to heaven.

After this miracle the soldiers released all the imprisoned Christians. For this Trophimus and Eucarpius were given over to terrible torments: they were hung up and their bodies were torn with iron hooks. In prayer they gave thanks to the Lord, believing that the Lord would forgive them their earlier sins. When the pyre was lit, the holy martyrs entered the fire of their own accord.