Holy Martyr Sozon

Life

By origin from Lycaonia, Saint Sozon was a shepherd of sheep and kept the Law of God in all things, and taught his peers and companions the pious faith. Through a certain vision he learned that he would have to suffer martyrdom for Christ. At that time there was a great persecution of Christians in the nearby city of Pompeiopolis by a certain Maximian, the governor of Cilicia. And in that city there was a certain golden idol to which the pagans bowed down. Sozon left his sheep, went into the city, entered the pagan temple, and broke off the hand of the golden idol, crushed it, and distributed it to the poor. A great tumult arose in the city because of this, and the pagans began to seek the culprit. In order that no one else should suffer because of his deed, Sozon went to the governor and declared himself a Christian and the perpetrator of that deed. The torturers first beat him, then hung him on a tree and scraped him with iron combs, and when he was already at his last breath they placed him on the fire, where the holy Sozon gave up his holy soul to God. He suffered around the year 304. His relics were wonder-working, and a church was built over them in the name of Saint Sozon.

From the Hymn of Praise

Young Sozon, a champion of the true faith,Stands upright before the face of the faithless,Stands upright, fearing nothing;His mind he held deep in God,