Theopemptus of Nicomedia
Encyclopedia
St. Theopemptus was the Bishop
of Nicomedia
and a Hieromartyr
, under the rule of Diocletian
. He is known for being one of the first victims of the Diocletian's
religious persecution
. He is said to have refused to obey the emperor's order to worship an idol of the pagan god Apollo
. He was then punished by being thrown into a fiery furnace
, in a manner similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
. But, by the power of God, he was kept alive. The emperor came and checked the furnace at night, and he saw Theopemptus alive and praying. Diocletian
then claimed the miracle was because of magic. He then depriving Theopemptus of food and drink for twenty-two days, but, by another miracle of God, he was kept alive and healthy.
The emperor then called upon the renowned sorcerer Theonas to overcome Theopemptus' 'mystical powers'. Theonas tried several times to poison Theopemptus, but each time the poison left him unharmed. Upon seeing that Theopemptus was still healthy, Theonas converted to Christianity. They were then imprisoned together, were Theopemptus baptized and taught him in the ways of Christ. Theopemptus then changed Theonas' name to Synesios.
Diocletian then tried again to convert Theopemptus to paganism. Upon seeing that he would not convert, the emperor tortured and beheaded him. Theonas, likewise, refused to worship idles and was buried alive in a deep ditch.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Nicomedia
Nicomedia
Nicomedia was an ancient city in what is now Turkey, founded in 712/11 BC as a Megarian colony and was originally known as Astacus . After being destroyed by Lysimachus, it was rebuilt by Nicomedes I of Bithynia in 264 BC under the name of Nicomedia, and has ever since been one of the most...
and a Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, a hieromartyr is a martyr who was also one of the clergy . In like manner a priest-monk is often called a hieromonk....
, under the rule of Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
. He is known for being one of the first victims of the Diocletian's
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
religious persecution
Religious persecution
Religious persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group of individuals as a response to their religious beliefs or affiliations or lack thereof....
. He is said to have refused to obey the emperor's order to worship an idol of the pagan god Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
. He was then punished by being thrown into a fiery furnace
Furnace
A furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
, in a manner similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are characters in the biblical Hebrew book of Daniel Chapters 1 – 3, known for their exclusive devotion to God. In particular, they are known for being saved by divine intervention from the Babylonian execution of being burned alive in a fiery furnace...
. But, by the power of God, he was kept alive. The emperor came and checked the furnace at night, and he saw Theopemptus alive and praying. Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
then claimed the miracle was because of magic. He then depriving Theopemptus of food and drink for twenty-two days, but, by another miracle of God, he was kept alive and healthy.
The emperor then called upon the renowned sorcerer Theonas to overcome Theopemptus' 'mystical powers'. Theonas tried several times to poison Theopemptus, but each time the poison left him unharmed. Upon seeing that Theopemptus was still healthy, Theonas converted to Christianity. They were then imprisoned together, were Theopemptus baptized and taught him in the ways of Christ. Theopemptus then changed Theonas' name to Synesios.
Diocletian then tried again to convert Theopemptus to paganism. Upon seeing that he would not convert, the emperor tortured and beheaded him. Theonas, likewise, refused to worship idles and was buried alive in a deep ditch.