Hieromartyr Emilian, Bishop of Trebia, with Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus (†c. 300) — August 18 / August 31 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 18 according to the Julian Calendar (August 31 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Hieromartyr Emilian, Bishop of Trebia, and with him Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus.

The hieromartyr Emilian the bishop, and with him Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus, were born and lived in Armenia. After the death of their parents the brothers Emilian, Dionysius, and Hermippus left their homeland together with their teacher Hilarion and went into Italy. There Saint Emilian preached the Gospel tirelessly among the pagans. By his strict and devout life he earned the deep reverence of the Christian community and was appointed bishop of the city of Trebia; his consecration was performed by Marcellinus, the Pope of Rome.

Dwelling in Trebia, the hierarch set many godless men upon the path of salvation, and for this he was seized and brought before the tribunal of the Emperor Maximian (284–305; 307–310). Emilian proposed to the ruler that he should convince himself of the power of prayer offered up to Christ. A paralytic was brought forward who had long been bound to his bed; the pagan priests had tried much to heal him and could accomplish nothing. Then Emilian prayed and commanded the sick man to rise in the name of Jesus Christ. And he, entirely restored to health, stood up and ran home rejoicing. So convincing was this miracle that the emperor began to incline toward the Christian faith; but the magi persuaded him that the hierarch acted by sorcery.

The martyr was bound upon the wheel, cast into boiling pitch, and thrown to the wild beasts to be torn apart, yet he remained unharmed. The people, shaken by these wondrous sights, cried out: “Great is the God of the Christians! Let His servant be set free!” On that day a thousand men believed in Christ and, adorned with the crown of martyrdom, were joined to the Kingdom. The tyrant, beside himself, gave orders that even those beasts should be killed which had not touched the hierarch; but Emilian gave thanks to the Lord that the wild animals also perished to the glory of Christ.

Saint Emilian, together with his brothers and his teacher, was cast into prison. Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus were beheaded after torments. Emilian was put to death outside the city. When the executioner struck the neck of the blessed one with his sword, the blade bent like wax and could do no harm to the chosen one of the Lord.

The soldiers fell at the feet of the holy father, begged his forgiveness, and confessed Christ as the true God. The hieromartyr Emilian knelt and prayed for them, entreating the Lord to make them worthy of a martyric end. The prayer of the saint was heard: a second executioner struck off his head, and at the sight of the milk that flowed from the wound many pagans believed in Christ the Saviour. His precious body they committed reverently to the earth, about the year 300.