September 3: Saint Anthimos, Bishop of Nikomedia celebratestranslated

Today, September 3, our church commemorates the Hieromartyrs Anthimus bishop of Nicomedia (†302) and Aristionus bishop of Alexandria. We also celebrate the memory of the New Martyr Polydorus of Cyprus (†1794), who was martyred in New Ephesus in Asia Minor. Saint Anthimos Hieromartyr bishop of Nikomedia

Saint Anthimos lived at the end of the 3rd century and his hometown was Nicomedia. From a young age he was distinguished for his pious zeal towards the divine. When he came of age, his life was an example of prudence and love. Because he richly possessed the treasure of divine truths, his warm teaching, inspired by apostolic zeal, almost always found a response in the souls of the faithful.

The spiritual ability of Anthimos moved the Christians of Nicomedia and they convinced him to become a Priest and later their bishop. However, when the persecution took place under Diocletian, they hunted him down and arrested him (302).

Diocletian suggested that he should sacrifice to the Gods to gain his life, or face horrible tortures, and showed him the instruments that would torture him. Anthimus said: “Why are you showing me? to scare me? Let those fear these, for whom the...