Byzantine Saints: Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia & Those with Him (3 September)

About this sermon

The Holy Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia, shepherded the Church through one of the most savage persecutions in Christian history. He converted the soldiers sent to arrest him, refused to save himself through a lie, and joyfully accepted martyrdom for Jesus Christ. The persecution intensified after a fire at the imperial palace in Nicomedia. Christians were accused of setting the blaze, and the pagan authorities retaliated with terrible ferocity under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, as many as twenty thousand Christians were reportedly burned inside a church at Nicomedia. Yet this monstrous act did not frighten the faithful, who continued openly confessing Christ. Saints Dorotheus, Mardonius, Migdonius, Peter, Indes, and Gorgonius suffered during this persecution. Some were beheaded, while others were burned, buried alive, or drowned. The soldier Zeno was stoned and beheaded after boldly denouncing Maximian. The Virgin Martyr Domna, a former pagan priestess, and Saint Euthymius were also killed because they ensured that the martyrs’ bodies received Christian burial. At his flock’s request, Bishop Anthimus hid in a nearby village. From there he sent letters encouraging Christians to remain firmly attached to the holy faith and never fear torture. One letter was intercepted while being carried by Deacon Theophilus. The deacon died under torture without revealing the bishop’s location. When soldiers were finally sent to arrest Anthimus, they encountered him without recognizing him. The bishop welcomed them, provided them with a meal, and then revealed that he was the man they sought. Moved by his charity, the soldiers offered to report that they had not found him. Anthimus refused because he would not permit them to save him through a lie. The soldiers came to believe in Christ and received Holy Baptism. The bishop then instructed them to fulfill the emperor’s command and take him into custody. The emperor attempted to frighten Anthimus by displaying the instruments of torture. The saint answered: “You cannot frighten one who wishes to die for Christ! Execution is frightening only for the cowardly, for whom the present life is most precious.” Saint Anthimus endured fierce torture and was beheaded. With his final breath, the holy bishop joyfully glorified God and received the crown of martyrdom. Hieromartyr Anthimus, pray for bishops, priests, and all Christians suffering persecution. Obtain for us courage, charity, and an uncompromising love of truth. Commemorated September 3 00:00 Hieromartyr Anthimus of Nicomedia 00:09 Anthimus and his fellow martyrs 00:26 Persecution under Diocletian and Maximian 00:35 Christians blamed for the palace fire 00:44 Twenty thousand burned inside a church 00:53 Martyrs of the Nicomedian persecution 01:00 Their different forms of martyrdom 01:08 The soldier Zeno denounces Maximian 01:16 Saints Domna and Euthymius 01:23 Bishop Anthimus hides near Nicomedia 01:32 Letters encouraging the persecuted Church 01:40 Deacon Theophilus is captured 01:47 Tortured without betraying his bishop 01:54 Soldiers sent to arrest Anthimus 02:03 The bishop feeds his future captors 02:10 Anthimus reveals his identity 02:19 He refuses to permit a lie 02:26 The soldiers believe and are baptized 02:34 Instruments of torture displayed 02:41 “You cannot frighten me” 02:49 Torture and death by the sword 02:57 Anthimus receives the martyr’s crown #SaintAnthimus #HieromartyrAnthimus #MartyrsOfNicomedia #ChristianMartyrs #OrthodoxSaints #SaintOfTheDay #ChristianPersecution #Diocletian #EarlyChurch #CatholicCourage #SensusFidelium https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴