Holy Martyrs Orentius, Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Cyriacus, and Longinus

Life

Brothers by birth. They were Roman soldiers in the time of Emperor Maximian. When the Romans were warring against the Scythians beyond the Danube, Saint Orentius went out to single combat against the Scythian giant Marotus and slew him. Because of this the whole Roman army was offering sacrifices to the gods, but Orentius with his brothers declared that they were Christians and could not offer sacrifices to deaf and dumb idols. Despite their military merits, they were condemned to exile in the Caspian regions, but on the way all seven, one after another, ended their lives from hunger and torments and departed to the Kingdom of Christ.