August 18, 2004
St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church
Kontakion in tone 1
By rejecting the worship of idols,
You obtained a good name, O glorious Agathonicus.
You did not despise the sufferings of martyrdom,
Therefore with your companions you have inherited the good things of Heaven and earned an immortal crown!
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The Martyrs Agathonicus, Zotikos, Theoprepios, Akindynos, Severian, Zenon and others accepted death for Christ during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). The Martyr Agathonicus was descended from the illustrious lineage of the Hypasians, and lived at Nicomedia. He converted many pagans to Christ and, as a result, was arrested (together with the princeps), and also Theoprepios, Akindynos and Severian. After tortures, they were taken to Thrace for trial by the emperor.
But along the way, in the vicinity of Potama, the Martyrs Zotikos, Theoprepios and Akindynos were unable to proceed further behind the chariot of the governor because of wounds received during the time of torture. Therefore, they were put to death. The Martyr Severian was put to death at Chalcedon, and the Martyr Agathonicus together with others was beheaded with the sword by order of the emperor, in Selymbria.
Icons: On the Charities Page.
Martyr Agathonicus