Holy Martyr Philetaerus of Nicomedia (+311)
The holy Martyr Philetaerus of Nicomedia suffered for Christ twice: in the reign of Diocletian (284–305) and of Maximian Galerius (305–311). During Diocletian’s visit to Nicomedia, the tall and handsome Philetaerus was brought before the tribunal. The emperor was captivated by the blessed one’s appearance and compared him to a pagan deity. When the martyr was asked his rank and origin, he answered: “I am the son of an eparch, a Christian by faith, and I live with Christians.” The emperor tried to win him over with flattery and spoke ill of Christ God, to which the saint replied: “May the mouth of everyone be shut, be he king or anyone else, who dares to blaspheme my Christ.” After these words the Lord’s chosen one was thrown into a red-hot furnace, but came out of it unharmed. Amazed at the miracle he had seen, and taking into account the martyr’s noble birth and his beauty, Diocletian set him free.
The Emperor Maximian too was informed that Philetaerus was a Christian. Standing before the tribunal of the lawless ruler, the saint again courageously confessed Christ. For this he was tortured, then thrown to wild beasts to be torn to pieces, but he remained unharmed. Then the blessed one was sentenced to be beheaded, but the two servants charged with putting Philetaerus to death could not kill him: as soon as they raised the sword over the martyr’s head, their hands grew stiff. When the executioners were convinced that the Lord Himself was invisibly protecting the holy martyr, both of them believed in Christ and laid down their lives for Him.
The blessed Philetaerus was sentenced to exile on the island of Proconnesus in the Sea of Marmara. On the way to the place of exile the saint worked many miracles and destroyed idol-temples. The six soldiers escorting him and their commander also believed in Christ.
On the way they were met by Saint Ebiotus, who had also endured many sufferings for Christ. The saints and the soldiers spent seven days in Ebiotus’s cell. Philetaerus died there (+311), and the blessed Ebiotus committed him to the earth. Eleven days later the soldiers and the commander of their detachment also committed their souls to the Lord. Their holy bodies were buried near the grave of Philetaerus.
