October 21, 2016

Holy Martyrs Gaios, Dasios and Zotikos of Nicomedia

Sts. Gaios, Dasios and Zotikos (Feast Day - October 21)

Verses

In water the three men died bitterly,
On high they drink a torrent of sweet luxuries.

These Holy Martyrs were from Nicomedia in Bithynia. One day when the pagans were celebrating an imperial festival, with divine zeal in their hearts these men went into the temples and threw down the idols they found there. They were immediately arrested for this and brought before the judge on charges of sacrilege.

These blessed men confessed their faith in Christ, and in return faced all manner of tortures. They were hung from wooden poles, and their flesh was scraped and torn with the coarse material of goat-hair. Then heavy stones were tied to their necks, and they were cast into the sea. Thus these renowned Martyrs received the crown of martyrdom.