Holy Martyr Nestor

Life

At the time of the suffering of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer, there was in Thessalonica a certain young man named Nestor, who had been taught the faith of Christ by Saint Demetrius himself. At that time the Christ-fighting Emperor Maximian arranged various games and entertainments for the people. The emperor's favorite was a certain Vandal by the name of Lyaeus, of Goliath-like stature and strength. As the emperor's gladiator, Lyaeus challenged men to single combat every day and slew them. And the bloodlust of Lyaeus amused the bloodthirsty emperor of the idols. For the combats of Lyaeus, the emperor had built a special arena, like a threshing floor (a terrace) on pillars. Below this floor, spears were fixed with their points upward. Whenever Lyaeus defeated someone in wrestling, he would hurl him down from that floor onto the whole forest of upturned spears. All around stood the pagan people with their emperor, and they made merry watching some wretched human being writhe in agony on the spears until he breathed his last. Among the innocent victims of Lyaeus were also many Christians. For whenever on a given day no one would voluntarily present himself to face Lyaeus in combat, then by the emperor's command Christians were dragged out by force to fight with Lyaeus. Watching this horrifying pagan amusement, the heart of holy Nestor was torn with pain. And he resolved to go out himself to face the giant Lyaeus in combat. But first he went to Saint Demetrius in prison and sought his blessing for this. Saint Demetrius blessed him, signed him with the sign of the Cross on his forehead and on his chest, and prophesied to him: "You will defeat Lyaeus, but you will suffer for Christ." Young Nestor then went out to face Lyaeus in combat. The emperor was present with a multitude of people; and all pitied the young Nestor, thinking he would perish, and tried to dissuade him from the fight with Lyaeus. But Nestor crossed himself and said: "O God of Demetrius, help me!" And with God's help Nestor overcame Lyaeus, overthrew him and hurled him onto the sharp spears, where the heavy giant quickly found his death. Then all the people cried out: "Great is the God of Demetrius!" But the emperor was shamed before the people, grieved for his favorite Lyaeus, and was greatly enraged at Nestor and at Demetrius. The wicked emperor therefore ordered that Nestor be beheaded with the sword and that Demetrius be pierced with spears. Thus this glorious Christian hero, Nestor, concluded his young earthly life in the year 306, and departed to the Kingdom of his Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

Holy Nestor was indignant at evilAnd was zealous for the faith of Christ.A young disciple of holy Demetrius,Young and frail against the terrible Lyaeus.