Martyr
Zoticus of Crete
Martyr of Crete who suffered for faith in Christ.
- Feast
- December 23old style January 5
- Era
- 3rd century
- Order
- Martyrs
Life
Holy Martyr Zoticus of Crete is one of the ten holy martyrs of Crete who suffered for Christ in the third century, under Emperor Decius (249-251).
The ten are Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zoticus, Pompius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus. The governor of Crete, who bore the same name as the emperor, Decius, cruelly persecuted the Church of Crete. One day ten Christians from various cities of the island stood before him, who steadfastly confessed their faith and condemned the worship of idols. For thirty days they were subjected to cruel torments, but with God's help they bore them all, glorifying the Lord. Before death they prayed that the Lord would enlighten their tormentors with the light of the true faith. All were beheaded.
Saint Zoticus is commemorated on 5 January, in the new style, together with the nine.
Commemorated the same day December 23
Dagobert IIRight-Believing · King of AustrasiaDec 23- Nephon I of ConstantinopleSaint · Patriarch of ConstantinopleDec 23
Theoctistus of NovgorodSaint · Archbishop of NovgorodDec 23- Niphon of CyprusSaint · Bishop of Constantia in CyprusDec 23
- Paul of NeocaesareaConfessor · Bishop of NeocaesareaDec 23
- Antonina of TismanaVenerable · Nun of Tismana MonasteryDec 23
- David of DvinskMartyrDec 23
Saturninus of CreteMartyrDec 23- AgathopusMartyr · Martyr of GortynaDec 23
- Agathopus of CreteMartyrDec 23
- Anfadan of Ros IngiteSaintDec 23
- Basil SpasskyHieromartyrDec 23