Venerable Martinian (V), and Venerable Zoe and Photinia (V)
The Venerable Martinian was eighteen when he settled in the desert near Caesarea in Palestine. Here the venerable father spent a quarter of a century in God-pleasing labour, in complete silence, and was granted the gift of healing too; but the enemy of the human race did not let up and tried with a thousand temptations to ensnare him. Once a harlot boasted among dissolute people that she would be able to seduce even Martinian, the fame of whose piety had spread through the whole city. She came to the holy father’s cell at night dressed as a wanderer and asked for shelter. Martinian took pity on the woman and took her in. But lo, the cunning guest put on other, costly clothes and began to tempt the ascetic. Then the blessed father went outside, lit a fire and stood with bare feet on the red-hot coals, saying to himself: “Is it hard for you, Martinian, to endure this temporary fire? How then will you endure the eternal fire that the demon has prepared for you?!” Horrified at this sight, the harlot repented of her sin and asked the saint to set her on the path of salvation. With Martinian’s blessing she went to Bethlehem, to the monastery of Saint Paula, where for twelve years she tried by strict labours to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. And she attained a blessed end. This woman was called Zoe.
Healed of his burns, the valiant ascetic settled on a desolate, rocky island, and lived there under the open sky for several years. He fed on food that a boatman brought him from time to time. In return the venerable father wove baskets for him.
Once a storm arose at sea and a passenger ship was wrecked. A maiden, Photinia, clinging to a piece of wreckage, was cast by the waves onto the island. The venerable father helped her out onto the shore and said to her: “Stay here; here is bread and water, and in two months the boatman will come!” Having said this, the saint threw himself into the sea and swam away. Two dolphins brought him to land. From that day the blessed Martinian lived the life of a wanderer. Once, having come to Athens, the venerable father fell ill. He sensed the approach of his end, went into a church, lay down on the floor, called the bishop and asked him to bury his body. This happened in 422.
The blessed maiden Photinia remained on the island; she laboured there in solitude for six years, and then committed her soul to the Lord in peace. The boatman, who brought her food as he had brought it to Martinian, carried the saint’s body to Caesarea in Palestine. The bishop, together with his clergy, committed it to the earth with honour.
