Zoticus the Orphan-⁠Feeder

Saint Zoticus the Orphan-⁠Feeder was a priest in Constantinople in the fourth century and is called the protector of the poor, because he devoted his life to those in need. He died a martyr around the year 350. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 31 December by the old calendar, which is 13 January by the new.

He was born in Rome, into a distinguished family which gave him an exceptional education, especially in the sciences. This recommended him to the emperor Constantine the Great, who took him to court and gave him the rank of magistrianus. Having moved to Constantinople, he became a priest and founded a house for those struck by misfortune.

At that time leprosy appeared in the city, and the emperor commanded that the sick be thrown into the sea. Zoticus succeeded, by a stratagem, in obtaining gold from the emperor and with it ransomed the sick from the sailors, settled them in his house and cared for them.

Because he had spent on his charges the gold received from the emperor, Constantius, the son of Constantine, condemned him to death: he was tied to a mule, which dragged him.