Holy Hieromartyr Pionius, Presbyter of Smyrna, and Others Who Suffered with Him (+250)

The holy Hieromartyr Pionius, presbyter of Smyrna, and others who suffered with him were martyred in the time of the lawless Emperor Decius (249–251) in the city of Smyrna on the shore of the Aegean Sea.

When he learned that the persecution had begun, Saint Pionius, together with Sabina and Asclepiades, made ready for suffering: they put chains on their necks.

On 23 February, the day of the holy Hieromartyr Polycarp of Smyrna (+167), the holy martyrs were seized and put in prison. In prison they met Linus, a presbyter of the cathedral church of Smyrna, and a Christian woman, Macedonia, who had been imprisoned for confessing Christ. Many Christians came to the holy martyrs in prison and brought them gifts. The saints gave everything away to the prison guards. Those too who had denied Christ out of fear and returned to idol-worship came to Saint Pionius. The holy martyr wept bitterly over their faintheartedness and called them to repentance. The holy confessor endured many torments. On 11 March 250 he was nailed to a cross; then firewood was heaped round him and he was burned. When the fire had gone out, the martyr’s body appeared completely unharmed. Not even his hair had been singed. The saint’s face, anointed with divine grace, shone with light.