Saints Epictetus and Astion (The First Known Christian Martyrs In Romania)

Holy Martyrs, priest Epictet, and (monk) Astion, are celebrated on July 8th. They are the oldest martyrs in Romania. They suffered in the year 290 during the persecution of Diocletian (284-305). The saints received their martyrish death in the fortress of Halmyris, the old Christian fortress on the banks of the Danube river that was named "Almyra", in antiquity.

Saint Epictet was originally from the parts of the Orient. He received the gift of priesthood and became worthy of the gift of healing the blind, the crippled and the demonised.

Saint Astion was the nephew of senator Julian. He converted to Christianity during his meeting with priest Epictet and together they reached the fortress of Halmyris. Later, the young Astion as well, received the gift of wonder-working, healing a demonised person and someone who fell from a height and remained nearly dead.

At that time, the commander Latroianus comes to Halmyris. He finds out that two strangers arrived into the city and convinced many to renounce serving the gods through their speeches. Latroianus orders their arrest and imprisonment of Epictet and Astion.

They did not make known their relatives and birthplaces, but revealed only the fact that they were Christians. They were submitted to various tortures, but they remained unscathed. Following these wonders, the commander orders that they don't receive any food and water for 30 days. They emerged victorious also.

Seeing he could not defeat them in any way, Latroianus orders that the saints are beheaded. Therefore, on July 8th, Astion was beheaded, firstly, and then the priest Epictet was beheaded. After the martyrdom, the bodies of the saints were white as snow and those who touched them were healed from any illness. The bodies of the saints were buried by Christians.

After the Edict of Milan, in the year 313, the bodies of Saints Epictet and Astion were buried in the crypt of the Episcopal baslica of Halmyris. They remained unknown until August 15th, 2001, when they were discovered and brought to the Cathedral of the Archbishopric, in Constanta.

Presently, the relics of Saints Epictet and Astion are found at the monastery of Halmyris. In Constanta, only a small part of the relics remains.

-Selection and translation by Ioan (John) Calineac.

-Source of translation: Romanian website.