Saint Holy Martyrs Christopher
Theonas, and Anthony.
Also known as Christopher, Theonas, and Antonius, Theon, Christopher, and Antoninus, Christopher, Theonas, and Antoninus, Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony at Rome, Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony at Nicomedia
Officers in the army of Emperor Diocletian who witnessed the sufferings of Saint George the Great Martyr, confessed Christ before the emperor, and were martyred by fire in 303. Commemorated April 19.
- Fell asleep
- 303
- Feast day
- April 19 (New) · May 2 (Old)
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Troparion of St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony
Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!
The life of St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony Officers Who
Confessed Christ Beside Saint George
Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony were officers in the imperial army who saw the suffering of Saint George and were moved to confess Christ openly. They gave up their rank and their freedom for that confession, and they died by fire in 303.
Early years
The sources consulted for this record do not describe the birth, family, or upbringing of Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony. They are presented chiefly as career officers in the army of Diocletian at the time of the persecution.
In the Church
The sources consulted do not describe any ecclesiastical office, ordination, or monastic life held by these martyrs. Their witness is that of laymen serving in the imperial army who confessed Christ before the emperor.
Later years
After the public confession, the three were imprisoned. The next day the emperor urged them to renounce Christ, and they refused. They were beaten with iron rods, their bodies were torn with hooks, and they were condemned to be burned. The Orthodox lives date this martyrdom to 303.
Legacy and veneration
The three martyrs are remembered in the calendars of the Orthodox Church each year on April 19. Their commemoration is listed in the Orthodox Church in America's lives of the saints, in OrthodoxWiki's calendar, and in the Russian Orthodox Menaion for April. Their witness is often recalled alongside that of Saint George, whose endurance prompted their confession.
Veneration of St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Iconography
- The sources consulted for this record did not include a reliable description of the iconographic conventions used for these martyrs, so none is given here. Readers who wish to explore their depiction in icon painting may consult the feast-day materials of the churches listed in the sources.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony.
- When is the feast day of the Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony?
- The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates them on April 19 in the New Calendar. In Julian-calendar usage the same numbered day corresponds to May 1 civil.
- Who were Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony?
- They were officers in the army of the emperor Diocletian (284-305) who witnessed the sufferings of Saint George the Great Martyr and then confessed Christ publicly.
- How did Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony die?
- After refusing to renounce Christ, they were beaten, torn with hooks, and then burned. The Orthodox lives date their martyrdom to 303.
- Where did the martyrdom of Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony take place?
- Sources differ. The OCA lives and OrthodoxWiki's calendar name Rome, with Nicomedia given as an alternative, while other calendars place it at Nicomedia.
- What is the troparion of the Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony?
- Their troparion in tone 4 begins by addressing the Lord and speaks of their receiving incorruptible crowns through their sufferings, asking for their intercession to save souls.
- Where are the relics of Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony kept?
- The sources consulted for this record do not confirm the location of any relics of these martyrs.
Kontakion of St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony
No kontakion specific to the Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony was found in the sources consulted for this record. The kontakion printed on the OCA page for April 19 belongs to Venerable John of the Ancient Caves, and it is not used here.
Prayer to St. Holy Martyrs Christopher, Theonas, and Anthony
No prayer specifically addressed to these martyrs was confirmed in the sources consulted for this record. The troparion above is the principal hymn used in their commemoration.
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References and further reading
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/04/19/101147-martyrs-christopher-theonas-and-anthony-at-rome
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2021/04/19/101147-martyrs-christopher-theonas-and-anthony-at-rome
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/1950/04/19
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/readings/daily/2020/04/19
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/April_19
- orthochristian.comhttps://orthochristian.com/calendar/20240419.html
- missionstclare.comhttps://www.missionstclare.com/english/people/apr19o.html
- orthodox.nethttps://www.orthodox.net/menaion/april.html
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_19_(Orthodox_Liturgics)
- johnsanidopoulos.comhttps://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2018/04/holy-martyrs-victor-zotikos-zeno.html
- westsrbdio.orghttps://westsrbdio.org/may-2-april-19/
- crkvenikalendar.comhttps://www.crkvenikalendar.com/zitije_en.php?id=VJE
- youtube.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHldYQT6jhg
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/all-lives/2021/04/19
- christianforums.comhttps://www.christianforums.com/threads/holy-martyrs-christopher-theonas-anthony-nicomedia.7553180/
- orthochristian.comhttps://orthochristian.com/103164.html
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/0579/04/23/101186-martyrs-anatolius-and-protoleon-soldiers-converted-by-witnessing
- stgeorgegreenville.orghttps://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/about-us/patron_saint
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2016/04/19/101147-martyrs-christopher-theonas-and-anthony-at-rome
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives?q=christopher
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