Sts Marcianos and Martyrios the Notaries of Constantinople

Commemorated October 25

The Martyrs Sts Marcianos and Martyrios were disciples of St Paul the Confessor (commemorated November 6). Martyrios was a Subdeacon, Marcianos a chanter and reader. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor.

Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonios. The heretics attempted to entice Sts Marcianos and Martyrios over to their side by flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as archbishops. However, all the efforts of the Arians were in vain. Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and sought to intimidate them with torture and death. Nevertheless, the Saints steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the Church. Sts Marcianos and Martyrios were sentenced to death. Before death, the martyrs prayed, "Lord God, Who have invisibly created our hearts, and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the slaughter. We rejoice that by such a death we shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life eternal with You, the Source of life". After their prayer, the martyrs, with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the impious (c. 335 AD).

Orthodox Christians reverently buried their holy bodies. Later, by decree of St John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs were transferred to a church built in their honour. Believers here were healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the Saints, to the glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.