Zenas of Philadelphia

Holy Martyr Zenas of Philadelphia (Arabia) was the faithful servant of Saint Zeno, with whom he suffered in the year 304, at Philadelphia in Arabia.

Zeno and Zenas lived a pious life. Zeno had great wealth, but he gave it to the poor and freed his slaves. Together with his devoted servant Zenas he went to the governor and rebuked him for idolatry. The persecutor ordered them tormented: they were hung on a post, their bodies scraped with iron hooks, their wounds rubbed with vinegar and salt, their sides and breasts burned with fire, and they were thrown into a pit of fire and doused with boiling oil. The saints bore it all patiently and by the power of God remained alive. At last they were beheaded (about the year 304).

Saint Zenas is commemorated on 5 July, in the new style, together with Zeno.