Feast Day: September 3rd
The Life of Saint Anthimos: “Do you think, Emperor, to frighten me with these tools of execution?” asked Anthimos. “No indeed, 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.”…
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Prayers
Apolytikion in the First Tone: Thou didst protect thy flock with thy blood, not fearing thine adversaries. Now thou dost rejoice in Heaven, standing before the Throne. Glory to Christ Who has strengthened thee; Glory to thy courage; Glory to thine endurance, O Holy Heiromartyr Anthimos.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: Illustrious Priest and steadfast Martyr, Anthimos worthy of praise, thou didst assail idol-worship, and champion thy flock who fervently cry out to thee: By thine intercessions deliver us from dangers.
A Verse: You were beheaded with the sword Martyr Anthimos, And though dead the hairs on your head blossom to the glory of God. On the third Anthimos was beheaded with a sharp sword.
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Emperor Maximian returned victorious from a war and wanted all of Nicodemia to make a sacrifice before the idols for this victory. Saint Anthimos, the Bishop of Nicodemia, gathered all the Christians into the Church, celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, and he taught them the True Faith. When Emperor Maximian heard this, he ordered that dry sticks and wood be placed around the Church and to be lit, so the Christians in the Church could be set aflame. When Saint Anthimos heard about this, he quickly Baptised all the Catechumens one hour before this was to happen, and then they all Celebrated the Divine Liturgy and received the Divine and Immaculate Mysteries. The dry sticks were then lit and all the Christians in the Church were burnt alive. They are known as The Holy 20,000 Martyrs who were burnt to death in Nicodemia. However, Saint Anthimos remained unharmed by Divine Grace, and he continued to teach other people about Christ and Baptise them.
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When they finished the meal, Saint Anthimos revealed that he was the one they sought. The soldiers were surprised and did not know what to do, they wanted to leave Saint Anthimos and lie to the Emperor that they had not found him. However, Saint Anthimos could not tolerate a lie. The soldiers came to believe in Christ and received Holy Baptism. Saint Anthimos then ordered that they carry out the Emperor’s instructions and they took him there.
“Do you think, Emperor, to frighten me with these tools of execution?” asked Anthimos. “No indeed, 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.”
