St. Artemius

  Posted on November 6, 2020  by admin  No comments

Died: beheaded in 363 in Antioch, buried by local Christians in Antioch, relics later transferred to Constantinople 

Feast day: October 20

Noted soldier and military leader under Emperor Constantine the Great. Imperial prefect (viceroy) of Egypt and Duke of Alexandria, appointed by Emperor Constantius; he used his position to spread the faith. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, Artemius became a fanatical Arian heretic, hunting and persecuting monks, nuns and bishops, including Saint Athanasius. 

However, through prayer and the horror of the persecutions, Artemius converted to orthodox Christianity, supported the faith, and turned on pagans, including Julian. He was accused by heathens of destroying idols, arrested, taken to Antioch, tortured and martyred.