Holy Great-Martyr Mercurius

Life

When Emperor Decius was waging war against barbarians, there was in his army a commander over the Armenian regiment called Martenses. That commander was called Mercurius. In battle an angel of God appeared to Mercurius, gave him a sword in his hands, and told him that he would defeat the enemies. And indeed Mercurius showed miracles of bravery, cutting down enemies with that sword like grass. After that glorious victory, Emperor Decius made him the first commander in his army. But certain envious people accused Mercurius to the emperor as a Christian, which Mercurius did not hide before the emperor but openly confessed. And Mercurius was tortured long and severely: cut into strips with knives, scorched with fire. An angel of God appeared to him in prison and healed him. Finally the emperor pronounced sentence that Commander Mercurius be beheaded by the sword in Cappadocia. When they beheaded him, his body became white as snow, and from it came a wondrous fragrance of incense. Many sick people were healed by his wonder-working relics. This most beautiful soldier of Christ suffered for the faith between 251–259.