Commemoration Day of
the Martyrs SaintS Antoninus,
Theophilus, Anicetus,
and Photinus
Antoninus
There are many saints named Antoninus in both the Greek and Latin martyrologies. This Antoninus was probably an Alexandrian who lived in the 3rd century. He was arrested for his faith and courageously confessed that he was a Christian.
He was hung from a wooden structure and his body was torn with iron claws, a torment he endured bravely. Finally, it was ordered that his life be ended by fire. As he approached the flames, he addressed those present, saying: “Remember that you have a soul given by God; take care to keep it constantly before God.”
Then, with courage and willingness, he entered the fire and surrendered his soul into the hands of the angels.
Theophilus
Theophilus the Deacon was a Libyan who lived during the reign of the pagan Emperor Maximinus, that is, toward the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century.
He was well versed in the Holy Scriptures and, like his model Saint Stephen, was a bold preacher. As a Christian, he was brought before the governor of his land and, after enduring terrible tortures, entrusted his soul to God.
Anicetus and Photinus
Both were noblemen from Nicomedia. Anicetus held the title of count, and Photinus was his nephew.
In 303 AD, Emperor Diocletian issued his edict of persecution. It was being read publicly in the square of Nicomedia while the emperor himself sat on the judgment seat, threatening death to all Christians and to anyone who refused to offer sacrifices to idols.
At that moment, Anicetus, taking his nephew with him, pushed through the gathered crowd, stood before the emperor, and proclaimed aloud: “Behold, I am a Christian, and I worship Christ God.”
He then began preaching Christianity. Proclaiming the greatness of the Christian faith, condemning paganism, and exposing the foolishness of the myths attributed to the gods, he continued his witness.
Together they were subjected to dreadful tortures and imprisoned. Three years later, they were again summoned and urged to renounce their faith. When they remained steadfast, they were burned alive along with many other martyrs for the love of Christ.
In the Armenian Church, the feast of these martyrs is celebrated on the fourth Monday after Pentecost.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-8 ~
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster and their going from us to be their destruction, but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever.
~ Isaiah 48:16-17 ~
Draw near to me, hear this! From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go.
~ 2 Timothy 3:10-15 ~
Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
~ Holy Gospel of St. John 15:11-16 ~
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.