Holy Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus, and 77 Clergy with Them, Martyred at Nicomedia (†370) — September 5 / September 18 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 5 according to the Julian Calendar (September 18 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus, and seventy-seven clergy who suffered martyrdom at Nicomedia in the time of the Arian emperor Valens (364–378). During the reign of Valens the Arians drove the Orthodox bishop Evagrius out of the Church of Constantinople and began a fierce persecution of those Christians who refused to join their heretical teaching. The Orthodox decided to appeal to the emperor for help and sent him an embassy of some eighty chosen clergy, led by Urban, Theodore, and Medimnus.

Having heard their just complaint, the impious autocrat flew into a rage but managed to restrain his anger. He secretly summoned the eparch Modestus and ordered him to destroy the entire delegation. Modestus spread the rumor that the envoys were being sent into exile; he then put them aboard a ship and commanded the sailors to set the vessel on fire in the open sea. Thus they received the crown of martyrdom in the year 370.