Ss Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon - Bi-Ritual Saints

Ss Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon only get a mention in the Roman Martyrology, but their Feast is kept today, in both East and West. Here is their story from both traditions.

From the East:

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The Holy Martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius and Dorymedon suffered for Christ during the reign of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). A pagan festival was being celebrated in the city of Antioch. Sacrificial offerings were brought, the wine was poured, and vile acts were performed. The Christians Trophimus and Sabbatius arrived in the city just as the festival was taking place, and were saddened by this loud and indecent spectacle. They prayed that the Lord would guide the errant on the way of salvation. As they said this, the idolaters noticed their presence. Seeing that the strangers did not worship the idols, they arrested them and took them to the governor.

At their interrogation, the saints firmly confessed their faith. When they were told to renounce Christ, they resolutely refused to do so. Saint Sabbatius died under the fierce torment. Saint Trophimus was sent to the city of Synnada in Phrygia for even more terrible tortures.

For three days Saint Trophimus walked shod in iron sandals with sharp nails, driven on by a cavalry guard. The governor of Frigius, Dionysius, infamous as a torturer and executioner, used all manner of tortures to break the will of the brave Christian. Saint Trophimus merely repeated the words of Scripture: “many afflictions has the righteous one, but from them all will the Lord deliver him” (Ps 33/34:20).

The senator Dorymedon, a secret Christian, visited Saint Trophimus in prison, washing and binding his wounds. When the pagans learned that the senator would not participate in the festival of Castor and Pollux, they asked the reason for his refusal. He said that he was a Christian, and would not attend a festival in honor of the demons. He and Saint Trophimus were thrown to the wild beasts to be eaten by them, but the martyrs remained unharmed. Then they were beheaded with the sword.

Troparion — Tone 8

God praised in Trinity has glorified a trinity of martyrs: / Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon. / By their faith, they overthrew the adversary. / Through their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Kontakion — Tone 8

As the foundation of athletes and the confirmation of piety / the Church honours and glorifies your brilliant suffering, / wise and glorious Trophimus, ever-praised and blessed athlete. / Together with your fellow sufferers, ask cleansing for those who hymn you, / for you are invincible.

From the West:

St Trophimus, with St Sabbatius and St Dorymedon, were put to death under Emperor Probus (r. 276- 282). They were executed at Antioch (modern Turkey).

Saints Trophimus (Trophimos), Sabbatius (Sabbatios, Sabbaticus), and Dorymedon are venerated as Christian martyrs. The story of their martyrdom is enshrouded in mystery, and though they share the same feast day, the saints were not martyred together or at the same time.

According to their Passion, Emperor Probus decreed that all Christians should sacrifice to the Roman gods. The Emperor sent two officials, Trophimus and Sabbatius, to Antioch. However, after Trophimus and Sabbatius arrived at the city, they were so shocked by the tortures inflicted upon the Christians there that the two men converted to Christianity. Trophimus and Sabbatius were arrested and tortured; Sabbatius died as a result of being tortured.

Trophimus was sent to Synnada in Asia Minor. Imprisoned at Synnada was a Christian senator named Dorymedon, and Trophimus visited the senator in prison. Officials in Synnada attempted to force Dorymedon and Trophimus to sacrifice to the gods Castor and Pollux. Dorymedon and Trophimus refused and were tortured and sentenced to be thrown to wild beasts in the arena. According to their Passion, the beasts refused to harm the two saints. The saints were then decapitated.

A reliquary in the form of a sarcophagus containing some of the bones of Trophimus was discovered at Schifout Kassaba (Synnada) in 1907, and transported to the museum at Bursa; this monument may date back to the third century.