Holy Martyr Hieron and His Companions

Life

Hieron was born in the city of Tyana in Cappadocia of a good and pious mother Stratonice, who was blind. Hieron was a most zealous Christian and with great filial love he served his blind mother Stratonice. For these two reasons he refused to go into the army, and instead beat and drove away those who had been sent to take him. For Hieron was loath to leave his helpless blind mother, and it was hard for him even to think that as a soldier he would be forced to bow down and offer sacrifice to idols. At last Hieron was captured and with certain other Christians was led before the prince to the city of Melitene. When they were on the road, one night someone appeared to Hieron in white garments and said to him: "Behold, Hieron, I announce salvation to you: you will not fight for the earthly king, but you will complete your struggle for the heavenly King and soon pass to Him to receive honor and glory from Him." And from this news Hieron's heart was filled with unspeakable joy. When they arrived in Melitene, all were cast into prison. There Hieron with great fervor strengthened in the faith all who were imprisoned, entreating them that none should fall away but that all should willingly surrender their bodies to tortures and death for Christ. Before the prince all with one voice confessed faith in Christ the Lord, except one kinsman of Hieron, by the name of Victor, who fell away from the faith. Hieron's hand was cut off, then he was flogged and tormented in various ways, until at last he was, together with the others, put to the sword. Going to the place of execution, the thirty-three martyrs sang the psalm: Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Let us also mention by name these honorable martyrs, whose names are written in the Book of Life: Hesychius, Nicander, Athanasius, Mamas, Barachius, Callinicus, Theogenes, Nicon, Longinus, Theodore, Valerius, Xanthius, Theodulus, Callimachus, Eugenius, Theodotus, Ostryches, Epiphanius, Maximian, Ducitius, Claudian, Theophilus, Gigantius, Dorotheus, Theodore, Castryches, Anicetus, Themelius, Eutychius, Hilarion, Liodotus and Amonitus. A certain Chrysanthus ransomed the severed head of Hieron and buried it honorably, and later built a church over it in the name of Saint Hieron. And the severed hand of the martyr was taken to his blind mother. Saint Hieron suffered with his companions in the year 298, and passed into the glory of Christ.

From the Hymn of Praise

Prisons are extraordinary courts,In prison Saint Hieron speaks:– My brethren, thirty comrades,Hold fast to the word of God,