Hieromartyr Anthimus

Life

Born in Nicomedia and from childhood raised as a true Christian. "His body was mortified, his spirit humble, envy rooted out, anger tamed, laziness banished; ... he had love for all, peace with all; prudence in the midst of all, zeal for the glory of God, manifest to all." It is no wonder that a man of such virtues was appointed bishop. Holy Anthimus served as bishop in Nicomedia in the time of the fierce persecution of Christians under the wicked emperors Diocletian and Maximian. In Nicomedia especially, Christian blood was poured out in streams. One year at the Nativity of Christ, twenty thousand martyrs were burned in a single church (see December 28). This happened during the episcopate of Anthimus. But the persecution did not end there, but continued, and many Christians were cast into prison and kept there for torture and death. Saint Anthimus withdrew to a village called Omana, not to escape death but so that from there he might encourage his flock in the feat of martyrdom, lest anyone fall away from fear. One of his letters to the Christians in prison was intercepted and delivered to Emperor Maximian. The emperor sent twenty soldiers to find and bring Anthimus. The wise and clairvoyant elder went out to meet the soldiers, led them into his house and served them as guests, and only then told them that he was Anthimus, whom they sought. The soldiers, amazed by Anthimus's goodness, proposed that he hide himself, and they would tell the emperor that they had not been able to find him. But Anthimus replied that he could not permit a commandment of God to be transgressed by a lie and his life to be saved thereby, and he set off with the soldiers. Along the way all the soldiers came to believe in Christ and were baptized by Anthimus. Brought before the emperor, Anthimus was tortured long and cruelly, and finally beheaded with an axe. He glorified the Lord and reposed in the Lord at the beginning of the fourth century.

From the Hymn of Praise

Holy Anthimus encourages his flock:"My children, my beloved children,Bearers of the yoke of Christ,Now is the time of the great feat;