Hieromartyr Theopemptus and Theonas

Life

When Diocletian proclaimed the persecution of Christians, Bishop Theopemptus of Nicomedia was the first who suffered for Christ. He was brought before the emperor, and the emperor threatened him with the death penalty if he would not renounce Christ. To that threat the brave bishop answered the emperor: "It is written: fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. You, O emperor, have power over my body, do with it what you will." He was severely beaten, tormented by hunger and tortured in various ways. Finally the emperor summoned a certain sorcerer, Theonas, to somehow overcome the man of God by sorceries. Theonas dissolved the strongest poison in water and gave it to Theopemptus to drink. Theopemptus made the sign of the cross over the cup and drank the poison. Seeing that his poison did not harm Theopemptus at all, Theonas turned to the emperor and cried out: "I also am a Christian, and I worship the Crucified One." Both were condemned to death: Theopemptus they beheaded with a sword, and Theonas they buried alive in the earth, in the year 298. They suffered honorably and became citizens of the Kingdom of Christ.

From the Hymn of Praise

For God and for their souls the innocent virginsBecame faithful followers of Christ.Pleasures and luxury and laughter they abandonedAnd to the angelic world raised their souls;