Zeno of Potamos

Holy Martyr Zeno of Potamos (in Thrace) is named among the martyrs Agathonicus, Zoticus, Theoprepius, Acindynus, Severian and others, put to death in the time of Emperor Maximian (284-305).

Agathonicus came from a noble family of Hippasius, lived at Nicomedia and, versed in Scripture, brought many pagans to the faith, among them the first senator. The comes Eutolmius, sent to the country of Pontus, crucified at the place called Carpen the disciples of Zoticus who refused to sacrifice, and took Zoticus with him. At Nicomedia he seized Agathonicus (with the first senator), Theoprepius, Acindynus and Severian. After torments Eutolmius led them to Thrace, to the emperor's judgment, but at the place Potama he killed Zoticus, Theoprepius and Acindynus, who could no longer follow his chariot because of the wounds they had received. Severian was put to death at Chalcedon, and Agathonicus and others were beheaded, by the emperor's order, at Selymbria. The calendar page counts Zeno among them, without saying anything else about him.

The relics of Saint Agathonicus were seen in 1200 at Constantinople, in a church bearing his name, by the Russian pilgrim Anthony, and in the fourteenth century Archbishop Philotheus of Selymbria devoted a speech of praise to him. Saint Zeno is commemorated on 4 September, in the new style.