Hieromartyr Astius, Bishop of Dyrrachium (II)

The Hieromartyr Astius was bishop of the Macedonian city of Dyrrachium in the time of the Emperor Trajan (98–117). Once it was revealed to the saint in his sleep that in the near future he would have to endure torment and death for Christ. He advised his deacons to hide, while he himself was seized and cruelly tortured. Saint Astius did not deny Christ. Then they smeared his body with honey and, tormented by the stings of wasps, he was crucified. The Christians buried the holy martyr’s body with honour.