Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates, Priests of Nicomedia — July 26 / August 8 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 26 according to the Julian Calendar (August 8 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates, priests of Nicomedia.

In the year 303, the impious Emperor Maximian (284–305; 307–310) burned twenty thousand Christians alive in the church of Nicomedia (commemorated December 28). The holy fathers Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates, who survived this horror, hid themselves in secluded places and did not cease preaching Christianity among the pagans.

A pagan youth named Pantoleon — the future holy Great Martyr Panteleimon (commemorated July 27) — often passed by the house where Hermolaus was hiding. The venerable priest perceived in spirit that the young man would become a chosen vessel, like the Apostle Paul. One day he went out to meet him, seated him at his side, and preached to him the true God. Blessed Pantoleon, like good earth, received the seed sown within him and returned home filled with joy. From that day forward he came daily to the priest Hermolaus and was confirmed by him in the teaching of the faith.

When the Great Martyr Panteleimon was brought before the tribunal, his teacher was seized together with him. The night before, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to Hermolaus and revealed to him that he would have to endure suffering and death for His name. Then Hermippus and Hermocrates were also imprisoned. The torturers demanded that the three confessors deny Christ, offer sacrifice to the idols, and turn Panteleimon from the faith; but they answered firmly: “We beseech God that both we and he may be perfected for His name, for He is our hope.”

The pagans threatened the Lord’s chosen ones with torture and death. Suddenly the earth shook violently, and in the idol-temple the statues of the false gods toppled and shattered. When this was reported to the emperor, he was filled with rage. By his command Panteleimon was cast into prison, while the priests Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates were beheaded (+305).