The Hieromartyr Theopemptos and the Martyr Theonas (303)
When Diocletian began his persecution of Christians, Theopemptos, Bishop of Nicomedia, was among the first to suffer martyrdom for Christ. Theopemptos was brought before the emperor, who threatened him with the punishment of death if he did not deny Christ. To that threat, the courageous bishop responded to the emperor: “It stands written: Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). O Emperor, you have authority over my body; do with it as you please.” Theopemptos was severely beaten, starved and tortured in various ways. Finally, the emperor summoned a certain magician, Theonas by name, to outwit this godly man through magic. Theonas dissolved the most potent poison in water and gave it to Theopemptos to drink. Theopemptos traced the sign of the Cross over the glass and drank the poison. On seeing that the poison had no effect on Theopemptos, Theonas turned to the emperor and shouted: “I too am a Christian, and I bow down before the Crucified One.” Both were sentenced to death in the year 303; Theopemptos was beheaded and Theonas was buried alive. They suffered honorably and became citizens of the Kingdom of Christ.
