Synaxarion of the Holy Hieromartyr Theagenes, Bishop of Parium

St. Theagenes of Parium (Feast Day - January 2)

Verses

You were cast into the sea Theagenes;

Although you drowned therein, you swam out to the heavens.

Theagenes (or Theogenes)* was bishop of the city called Parium,* which had been built by people from Paros. It was located between Kyzikos and Lampsakos on the Hellespont. Theagenes was accused to the tribune Zelikinthios, before whom he confessed Christ as the true God. For this reason he was beaten with clubs and bound, then cast into the depths of the sea. In this way he completed the course of martyrdom and received from the Lord an incorruptible crown.*

Notes:

* In the original Synaxarion of Constantinople, St. Theagenes is listed under his original feast day of January 3rd, but this was changed to January 2nd in St. Nikodemos' edit of the Synaxarion, which is translated above. Furthermore, in the Menologion of Basil II, he is listed under January 4th.

** In the original sources of the Passion of this Saint, he is called the son of a bishop and not a bishop himself. Instead, he is described as a soldier who gave up his military duties due to his Christian beliefs. However, in the Menologion of Basil II he is described as a bishop who was forced to enter the army and refused.

St. Theagenes in between St. Stathys on the left and St. Nicholas on the right.

The drowning of St. Theagenes in between St. Sylvester of Rome on the left and the Prophet Malachi on the right.