Demetrian of Cyprus

20 June

Demetrian, deacon and martyr, with presbyter Aristocleus and reader Athanasius, beheaded at Cyprus in 306.

Aristocleus, a native of the Cypriot city of Tamasa, served in the cathedral during the persecution under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). He became terrified of the tortures, left the city, and hid in a mountain cave. Once during prayer a light shone on him, and he heard a command from the Lord to return to the island of Cyprus and suffer for Christ. Aristocleus obediently set out to return, and on the way he visited the church of the apostle Barnabas, where he met Demetrian and Athanasius. He told them of his vision, and Demetrian and Athanasius decided to endure martyrdom with him. Arriving in the city of Salamis, all three began to preach to the people about Jesus Christ and denounced idol-worship. The pagans arrested them, and the governor, seeing that they were steadfast in their faith, gave orders to behead Aristocleus, and to burn Demetrian and Athanasius. Because even in the fire they remained unharmed, they were beheaded by sword.