Saint Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus
of Tripoli.
Also known as Martyrs of Tripoli, Lucian of Tripoli, Metrobius of Tripoli, Paul of Tripoli, Zenobius of Tripoli, Theotimus of Tripoli, Drusus of Tripoli
A group of six early Christian martyrs, commemorated together on December 24 in the Eastern Orthodox calendar. Only their names are recorded; their dates and the details of their deaths are not preserved.
- Feast day
- December 24 (New) · January 6 (Old)
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Troparion of St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli
No troparion specific to the Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli was found in the service books or sources consulted.
The life of St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli Six Names
Kept from Tripoli
The Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus are remembered together on December 24 in the Eastern Orthodox calendar. Only their names have been preserved, and no reliable date or account of their martyrdom survives.
Early years
No reliable information about the family, upbringing, or formation of Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus or Drusus is preserved in the sources consulted. The record gives only their names and the statement that they suffered together at Tripoli.
In the Church
The sources consulted do not record any ordination, office, or monastic life for these martyrs. They are described as Christians who were put to death together, without any ecclesiastical rank being attested.
Later years
The date of their martyrdom is unknown in every source consulted, and the sources do not describe the circumstances of their arrest, trial, or execution. Their names are kept in Orthodox and Western calendars, which is the only extant record of their deaths.
Legacy and veneration
The memory of this group is kept in the Orthodox calendar on December 24, where the martyrs of Tripoli are listed among the commemorations of that day. The Western Roman martyrology also keeps the same six names on the same date, which gives the commemoration a shared place across both traditions in their earlier forms.
Veneration of St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Iconography
- No established iconographic type for this group of martyrs was found in the sources consulted, and no particular vestments, attributes, or compositions are documented for them.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli.
- When is the feast day of the Holy Martyrs of Tripoli?
- The Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli are commemorated on December 24 in the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
- Who were the Martyrs of Tripoli?
- They were a group of six early Christian martyrs whose names are Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus. Only these names are preserved in the sources consulted.
- Where did the Martyrs of Tripoli die?
- The Orthodox calendar places their martyrdom at Tripoli in North Africa. Some Western sources say Libya, and an older Roman martyrology places it at Tripoli in Phoenicia, in present-day Lebanon.
- When were the Martyrs of Tripoli martyred?
- The date of their martyrdom is unknown. The sources consulted do not give a year or century for their deaths.
- Are the Martyrs of Tripoli the same as Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus?
- No. Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus are a separate group of soldier-martyrs at Tripoli in Syria, commemorated on June 18. The Martyrs of Tripoli on December 24 are a different group.
- Are there relics or a troparion for the Martyrs of Tripoli?
- No relics, troparion, or kontakion specific to this group were found in the sources consulted.
Kontakion of St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli
No kontakion specific to these martyrs was found in the sources consulted.
Prayer to St. Holy Martyrs Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Zenobius, Theotimus and Drusus of Tripoli
No traditional prayer addressed specifically to these martyrs was found in the sources consulted. The faithful may commemorate them on December 24 in the general prayers for the saints and martyrs.
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References and further reading
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/December_24
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_24_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)
- catholicsaints.infohttps://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-lucian-metrobius-paul-zenobius-theotimus-and-drusus/
- drjohnhutchisonhall.comhttps://drjohnhutchisonhall.com/saints-pre-schism-rome/24-december/
- catholic.orghttps://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4323
- catholocity.nethttp://catholocity.net/Martyrology/martyr12.htm
- ecatholic2000.comhttps://www.ecatholic2000.com/roman-martyrology/12-dec.shtml
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2025/12/24/the-vigil-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-the-final-day-of-the-christmas-novenas-and-feast-days-of-the-saints/
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2018/12/24/midnight-mass-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-december/
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2022/12/24/the-vigil-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-the-final-day-of-the-christmas-novena-to-the-divine-infant-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-december/
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2023/12/24/the-vigil-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-the-final-day-of-the-christmas-novenas-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-december/
- catholicreadings.orghttps://catholicreadings.org/saint-of-the-day-for-december-24/
- drjohnhutchisonhall.comhttps://drjohnhutchisonhall.com/saints-west-6-jan-2026-24-dec-2025/
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontius,_Hypatius_and_Theodulus
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/tag/sthannoofworms/
- thestationofthecross.comhttps://thestationofthecross.com/saintsandseasons/christmas-eve/
- catholicsaints.infohttps://catholicsaints.info/saint-drusus-of-tripoli/
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2024/12/24/the-vigil-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-the-final-day-of-the-christmas-novenas-and-memorials-of-the-saints/
- orthodoxtimes.comhttps://orthodoxtimes.com/martyrs-leontius-hypatius-and-theodulus-at-tripoli-in-syria-2/
- johnsanidopoulos.comhttps://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/06/holy-martyrs-leontius-hypatius-and.html
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