Cloud of Witnesses
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Martyr4th century

Martyr Victor of Nicomedia and Companions

4th century (martyred at Nicomedia, c. 303)

Also known as Zoticus · Acindynus · Zeno · Severian · Caesarius

A company of martyrs of Nicomedia who suffered under the emperor Diocletian during the persecution of Christians.

April 18New Calendar
Feast Day
May 1Old Calendar
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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian, and Caesarius of Nicomedia

Life

Victor and his companions Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian, and Caesarius were a company of martyrs of Nicomedia who suffered during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). They are commemorated together on April 18.

According to the synaxarion, these martyrs were moved to confess Christ openly after witnessing the steadfastness of the Great-Martyr George under torture, and for their public confession they were beheaded at Nicomedia.

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Your holy martyr Victor and his companions, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

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  1. 284-305Persecution under DiocletianDuring the fierce persecution of Christians waged by the emperor Diocletian, the city of Nicomedia in Asia Minor was a center of suffering for the faithful.
  2. c. 303Confession of ChristThe tradition relates that Victor and his companions, witnessing the unshaken endurance of the Great-Martyr George under the torture of the wheel, declared openly before all that they too believed in Christ.
  3. c. 303Martyrdom at NicomediaFor their public confession the holy martyrs were condemned and beheaded at Nicomedia.

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Life and Martyrdom

Nicomedia, the eastern imperial capital in Asia Minor, was a principal stage of Diocletian's persecution, and many Christians suffered there. The synaxarion places Victor and his companions among those martyred in this period.

According to the tradition, these martyrs were drawn to open confession by the example of the Great-Martyr George, whose endurance under torture moved many pagans to faith. Declaring themselves Christians in the hearing of all, Victor, Zoticus, Acindynus, Zeno, Severian, and Caesarius were condemned and beheaded at Nicomedia. The Church commemorates the company together as one feast.

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By tradition, his endurance under torture moved Victor and his companions to confess Christ
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Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Same conversion episode: soldiers likewise moved to confess Christ by witnessing the Great-Martyr George under torture
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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints