Hieromartyrs Hypatius, Bishop of Ephesus, and Andrew the Presbyter (†c. 730–735) — September 21 / October 4 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 21 according to the Julian Calendar (October 4 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Hieromartyrs Hypatius and Andrew.

The hieromartyrs Hypatius, Bishop of Ephesus, and Andrew the Presbyter suffered martyrdom in the eighth century during the reign of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian (717–741). In their youth the saints studied together in a monastery. Afterward Hypatius took monastic vows, while Andrew was ordained a priest and zealously taught the people the Christian faith. When the persecution of the venerators of icons began under Leo the Isaurian, Saints Hypatius and Andrew rose firmly to defend the veneration of icons.

The emperor, wishing to win the saints over, arranged a debate on the veneration of icons. Hypatius and Andrew were able to defend convincingly the Orthodox veneration of holy images. The martyrs were seized and for a long time were kept confined in prison, as their captors hoped they would change their minds; but the chosen ones of the Lord did not waver. Then the godless emperor ordered their torture. Finally the martyrs were dragged through the city by the emperor’s command for all to mock, and only after this were they released from life (c. 730–735).

The godless threw the bodies of Saints Hypatius and Andrew to the dogs to be torn apart, but the faithful reverently carried them away and committed them to the earth.