Martyr

Holy Martyrs Aristocles, Demetrian, and Athanasius

June 20 Old CalendarJuly 3 New Calendar

Life

Aristocles was a priest of the cathedral church in the city of Tamasus on Cyprus and led a God-pleasing life. Because of his great zeal for the faith he was deemed worthy of a voice from heaven, telling him to go to Salamis of Cyprus and receive the crown of martyrdom. The deacon Demetrian and the reader Athanasius joined him. Coming to Salamis, these men of God began to preach Christ. The pagans seized them, and after tortures they beheaded Aristocles with a sword, and burned Demetrian and Athanasius in fire in the year 306.

From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, June 20. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Also commemorated on June 20

Hieromartyr Methodius, Bishop of Patara Martyr Venerable Naum of Ohrid Venerable Saint Callistus I, Patriarch of Constantinople Hierarch Saint Leucius, Bishop of Brundisium Hierarch Blessed Studius Commemoration

The full reading for June 20 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.

Open June 20 in the reader