Holy Martyrs Agathanicus, Zoticus, and Others with Them

Life

Saint Agathanicus was a citizen of Nicomedia and a Christian by faith. With great zeal he turned the Hellenes away from idolatry and instructed them in the true faith. By order of Emperor Maximian, the imperial governor fiercely persecuted Christians. During this persecution he seized Saint Zoticus in a certain place called Carpi, crucified his disciples, and brought Zoticus to Nicomedia, where he also seized and bound Saint Agathanicus, Princeps, Theoprepius, Acindynus, Severian, Zeno, and many others. He led them all tightly bound toward Byzantium, but along the way Saints Zoticus, Theoprepius, and Acindynus died from their wounds and exhaustion. Near Chalcedon they slew Saint Severian, and Agathanicus with the rest was led to Thrace, to the town of Selymbria, where after torture before the emperor himself they were beheaded by the sword and passed into eternal life and the joy of their Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

White dove of God,And martyr of Christ,Eulalia desires torments,To whiten her spirit through sufferings.