By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church commemorates today Martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon of Synnada.
We also celebrate the memory of Saint Spyridon Bishop of Kythrea, one of the five hierarchs of Kythrea, whose synaxis was established to be celebrated on May 17, the feast day of Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Kythrea.
The martyrs suffered for Christ during the reign of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282) and of Governor of Antioch Heliodorus. Martyrs Trophimus and Sabbatius publicly protested when they arrived in Antioch just as the festival was taking place. This is why they were arrested and were brought to the governor.
Seeing the steadfastness of their faith, the governor ordered that they should be brutally whipped. Martyr Sabbatius died under the fierce torment. Martyr Trophimus was sent to Dionysius, the governor of Phrygia, in the city of Synnada for even more terrible tortures.
Dorymedon visited him in prison and witnessed his torture. Dorymedon confessed his faith in Christ as the true God. When the governor learnt that Saint Dorymedon was a Christian, he also tortured him.
Both saints were thrown to wild beasts in the arena. However, no beast attacked them. So the governor, filled with envy and arrogance, ordered their beheading.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus