Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul, Christina, Heracles, Paulinos and Benedimos

Commemorated May 18

The Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul, Christina suffered under emperor Decius (249-251). Peter suffered in the city of Lampsaka. Brought to trial before the governor Optimines, he bravely confessed his faith in Christ. They tried to force the youth to deny the Lord and worship the goddess Venus. The martyr refused to do this, declaring for everyone to hear, that a Christian would not bow to the idol of a lecherous woman.

St. Peter was subjected to fierce tortures, but he endured them with courage, giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for giving him His all-powerful help. Then he was beheaded.

Also on trial at this time were Dionysios, Nikomachos, and two soldiers, Andrew and Paul, who had been transferred from Mesopotamia. They all confessed their faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifice to idols, so they were tortured. To the great sorrow of all the Christians, Nikomachos did not persevere. He denied the Lord Jesus Christ, and entered a pagan temple to offer sacrifice. He fell down in a terrible frenzy and died foaming at the mouth, and tearing the skin from his body with his teeth.

Nikomachos' apostasy was heard by the sixteen-year-old Christina, who was standing in the crowd. She shouted, "You cursed and lost man! Instead of enduring pain for a single hour, you have made yourself worthy of eternal torment!" The governor gave orders to seize the holy virgin. Learning that she was a Christian, he gave her to dissolute men. An angel appeared at the house where they had taken the holy virgin. Frightened by his terrible visage, the youths tearfully began to beg the holy virgin's forgiveness and asked her to pray that the Lord's chastisement might not befall them.

On the following morning, Saints Dionysios, Andrew and Paul were again brought before the governor. For confessing faith in Christ they were given to the pagans to be put to death. They bound the saints by the feet, dragged them to the place of execution, and stoned them to death. During the execution, St. Christina ran up to die with the martyrs. At the governor's order, she was beheaded. Heraclios, Paulinos, and Benedimos were Athenians, and preachers of the Gospel who turned many of the heathen from their error to the light of Christ. Brought before the governor, they confessed their Faith, and after many torments were beheaded.