The Holy Nine Martyrs of Perge in Pamphylia — August 1 / August 14 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 1 according to the Julian Calendar (August 14 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Nine Martyrs of Perge in Pamphylia: Leontius, Attius, Alexander, Cindeus, Cyriacus, Mineon, Catunus, Menesitheus, and Eucleus.

The holy martyrs Leontius, Attius, Alexander, Cindeus, Cyriacus, Mineon, Catunus, Menesitheus, and Eucleus lived in Perge of Pamphylia in the days of the emperor Diocletian (284–305). Saint Mineon was a carpenter, while the others earned their daily bread by working the land. When the fierce persecution of Christians began, the martyrs were kindled with the desire to suffer for Christ and destroyed the altar of the pagan goddess Artemis. For this, terrible torments were inflicted upon them, and they were then thrown to the wild beasts in the circus to be torn apart.

But the beasts, tamed by the prayers of the martyrs, would not touch the chosen ones of the Lord. The astonished crowd cried out: “Great is the God of the Christians!” Suddenly a terrible thunderstorm broke out; lightning and fire struck the earth together, and a voice was heard from heaven, calling the blessed ones to the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoicing in spirit, the lambs of Christ gave thanks to the Lord, willingly bowed their necks beneath the sword, and, adorned with the crowns of martyrdom, were joined to the Church in heaven.