Martyr
Holy Martyr Themistocles
December 21 Old CalendarJanuary 3 New Calendar
Life
As a shepherd Themistocles kept young sheep in a certain field near the city of Myra in Lycia. At that time the tormentors of Christians were pursuing Saint Dioscorides, and they came upon Themistocles in the field and asked whether Themistocles had seen the one being pursued, and whether Themistocles knew where the man was hiding. Although Themistocles knew, Themistocles would not betray him, but declared himself also a Christian. Themistocles was tortured and beheaded in the time of Decius in the year 251.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, December 21. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on December 21
The full reading for December 21 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open December 21 in the reader