By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Today, the Church celebrates the memory of the Virgin-Martyr Saint Paraskevi, as well as of Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates at Nicomedia.
Hieromartyr Hermolaus was member of the Holy Clergy of the Church in Nicomedia. When the trial of the holy Great Martyr Panteleimon was being held, he was asked who the person was to initiate him into Christianity. Saint Panteleimon answered that it was the priest Hermolaus. That was sufficient for them to arrest the presbyterian and bring him to trial. The friends and associates of Saint Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates, were voluntarily brought to a trial.
The judge, after first interrogating the priest Hermolaus, then asked the other two why they came here and what they asked. They responded that they were soldiers of Hermolaus under the flag of Christ the Great Archpriest and King, and they asked the judge to all have a common death, as they had a common brotherly life. Instead of stirring up the judge’s admiration, the responde made him furious. So he pronounced upon them a sentence of death.
With this sacrifice, they received the immortal laurel wreath, which is awarded to the athletes of faith and love in Christ the Saviour.
Source: Church of Cyprus