Zakaria of Prusa

Saint Zakaria of Prusa was a priest and martyr, born in 1764 in the city of Prusa in Asia Minor, to pious parents. In 1801, one day, he drank to excess and in his drunkenness denied Christ. Coming to himself, he presented himself to the judge and, throwing down the turban he wore, confessed his faith in Christ. The judge at once ordered him imprisoned. The saint prayed unceasingly, asking for strength from above and divine help. Brought before the judge and the aghas, he remained unshaken in his faith. For this he was thrown back into prison, where he was tortured without mercy, beaten, and a red-⁠hot copper cap was put on his head.

After these tortures they tore out his nails and drove sharp cutting reeds under the nails of his hands and feet. Brought again before the judge, he confessed his faith in Christ with great boldness and rebuked the Muslim religion. When the sentence of beheading was given, he was shut in prison again. He reposed as a martyr in 1802. He is commemorated on 22 May by the Greek calendar (new style) and on 28 May by the Georgian (old style; 10 June new style).