Holy Martyrs Marinus the Soldier and Asterius the Senator (†260) — August 7 / August 20 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 7 according to the Julian Calendar (August 20 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Marinus the Soldier and Asterius the Senator.

The Holy Martyrs Marinus the Soldier and Asterius the Senator were perfected in the reign of the pagan emperor Gallienus (260–268).

Saint Marinus served in Caesarea of Palestine, and for his courage and his virtues he was held in respect even by the pagans themselves. The valiant warrior was appointed a centurion; but in order to receive the new rank it was necessary to swear an oath invoking the names of the pagan deities. Marinus firmly refused to pronounce it. The judge granted the saint three hours to reconsider: if he would not abandon his disobedience, death awaited him.

As the chosen one of the Lord was leaving the tribunal, Bishop Theotecnus met him and led him into the church. The hierarch pointed first to the Gospel, and then to the sword fastened at his belt, and said to him: “Choose either the book of life, in which your name shall be inscribed as a soldier of the heavenly King, or the sword, with which you serve an earthly king.” Marinus did not hesitate for an instant — he stretched forth his hand toward the holy Gospel. Theotecnus strengthened and blessed the blessed one, and said to him: “Receive that which you have chosen.” With prayer and with the blessing of the hierarch, the martyr again refused before the judge to pronounce the pagan oath, and for this he was beheaded.

The Roman senator Asterius was present at the martyrdom of the saint. He was well-pleasing to God by his devout life, was a firm Christian, and although the Christians were being cruelly persecuted, he stood unshaken in his faith. Once, while in Palestine, the blessed one came to Caesarea Philippi. Here, according to custom, a pagan sacrifice was being offered. The demon that dwelt within the idol would cause the offered sacrifice to vanish, which the impious accounted a great wonder. Saint Asterius drove the evil spirit out of the statue of the false god.

When Saint Marinus was put to death, Asterius took off his rich senatorial robe, spread it upon the ground, wrapped in it the honorable body of the martyr, bore it upon his own shoulders to the grave, and buried it. For this deed he was seized and condemned to be beheaded. This lamb of Christ commended his soul to the Lord in the year 260.