Urpasianus of Nicomedia

Saint Urpasian, martyr, was a dignitary of the emperor Galerius (293 to 311) and died a martyr in the fourth century, in Nicomedia, burned alive. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 9 March, and the Catholic Church on 13 March.

Galerius persecuted Christians who served in his army and at his court. Urpasian was a member of the imperial household at Nicomedia. Some of the faint of heart began to waver and to worship the pagan gods, but the strong of heart held firm to the very end. Urpasian renounced his service to the emperor and said that henceforth he was a soldier of the heavenly King, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he gave back the insignia he had received.

He was arrested for his Christian faith and burned alive.