Hieromartyr Marcellus, Bishop of Apamea (+c. 389)

The Hieromartyr Marcellus, Bishop of Apamea, was born into a noble family on the island of Cyprus. After receiving a brilliant education he held high offices in the civil service and amazed everyone by his holy life, humility, mercy and eloquence. Around 375 he left his wife and children, became a monk, and began to labour in the Syrian desert. Some time later, by God’s will, the inhabitants of Apamea brought the blessed one into the city, supposedly on some necessary business, and made him their bishop. The hierarch fought zealously against paganism, tore down idol-temples and built holy churches. Once, by the hierarch’s order, soldiers were demolishing a pagan temple. Saint Marcellus stood nearby and watched. At that moment the pagans seized him and burned him in fire.