Holy Seventy Martyrs

Life

Led by Urban, Theodore, and Medimnus, these were chosen by the Christians of Constantinople in the time of Valens's persecution of Orthodoxy, as the most honorable and most distinguished citizens of the capital, to go to Nicomedia and beseech the heretical emperor (an Arian) to at least spare the lives of the Orthodox Christians. The emperor became enraged, and told them to return, while secretly ordering the sailors that when they were at sea they should set fire to the ship, and then save themselves in a boat and return. Thus the wicked servants of a more wicked master did. The bodies of these illustrious Seventy were burned and drowned in the sea, but their souls swam to the haven of eternal blessedness.