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Martyrs Epictetus the Presbyter and Monkmartyr Astion; Greatmartyr Procopius of Caesarea and his mother Theodosia

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox Calendar July 8 Martyr Epictetus the Presbyter and Monkmartyr Astion The monastic martyrs Epictetus and Astion lived in Bithynia on the southwest coast of the Black Sea during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (284-305). From his youth, Saint Epictetus had dedicated his life to God, and studied to acquire knowledge of the Gospel.

He entered a monastery, and later was found worthy to be ordained to the holy priesthood. Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, the saint converted many people to Christianity. God granted Epictetus the gift of wonderworking, and he healed many people troubled by unclean spirits, or afflicted with other maladies.

One day while out for a stroll, the illustrious youth Astion met Saint Epictetus. During a long conversation Saint Epictetus enlightened Astion, sowing the seed of God’s Word in the young man’s soul. He spoke to him about the only true God, about the great value of the immortal human soul, and about fleeting worldly pleasures.

Astion came to believe in Christ and was baptized. Soon after this, he also became a monk. Since Christians were being persecuted in Bithynia, he asked Saint Epictetus if they might travel together to…

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Тамара СемёноваIt is interesting that Astion met Epictetus simply while walking. An ordinary conversation - and now the seed fell into the soul, baptism, monasticism. It happens to us too: you talk to a person about business, and then you look - and his life has turned around.

Laurent MoreauYes, this encounter during a simple walk struck me too. My husband and I often chat with people at the market or in the garden, and sometimes a sentence about prayer is enough for someone to come back the next week with questions. It’s beautiful to see that the Lord uses even an ordinary walk.

Teuta NakoYes, something similar happened to me. One day in the garden, a woman who came for tomatoes began to talk about her worries, and after a little talk about morning prayer, she returned the next week asking to come to church. It is not always a great sermon, but a simple conversation like that of Epictetus with Astion while walking.

Илья АндреевYes, definitely noted. This happened to me too with one neighbor - I went to get a tool to fix the wiring, we started talking about life, and a month later he started going to church. The seed can indeed fall at the most unexpected moment.

Laura LewisYes, that chance meeting on a stroll really struck me too. My late husband and I used to chat with folks while I tended my tomatoes in the community garden, and sometimes a few words about the Gospel would lead to real questions later. Simple conversations can plant that seed, just like with Astion.

Максим ВасильевYes, Tamara, exactly. It happened to me too: a guy at work came to look at the wiring, we started talking about his family, and six months later he was ready to go to confession. The seed falls when you don't expect it. Does this often happen in your conversations?

Athina PapaYes, Teuta, I really liked what you said about simple conversation in the garden – a woman about tomatoes and a word about morning prayer is enough to plant the seed. Something similar happened to me too right after the liturgy, when an old woman asked me about a passage of the Gospel and after two weeks I saw her coming with her grandson. No need for a big sermon, as you say.

Олег ГолубевYes, Maxim, I definitely noticed. It also happened to me a couple of times on the bus: a passenger will ask where I’m going on vacation, and then the conversation will turn on its own. The seed falls unexpectedly, as in the parable. Do you often have conversations like this that continue later, or are they usually one-time conversations?

David TurnerThat chance meeting really does show how God works through ordinary moments. I remember striking up a conversation with a guy while we were both waiting for the ferry last summer — nothing deep at first, just about the weather and fishing spots — and it turned into him asking real questions about why I go to church. Those tomato-garden chats of yours sound like the perfect setup for that. Did any of those folks ever come back around for more?