Synaxarium

On this day, Saint Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos, was martyred. He was a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist (Revelation 2). When Domitian began persecuting and killing the people because the Christians said, “Their king is Christ” (according to a manuscript from Shebin El-Kom, he sent to Jerusalem and summoned the sons of Judah son of Joseph, bringing them bound to Rome and asked about the king of Christ. They answered that his kingdom is heavenly and that Christ is in heaven, destined to come at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead and reward each according to their deeds).

Domitian feared this statement and ceased persecuting them, ordering their honor. Then another governor succeeded him and persecuted the Christians, killing many, including this saint. He punished him severely, but the saint’s faith only grew stronger. When he was imprisoned, Saint John the Evangelist sent him a letter full of consolation, calling him the faithful priest and good shepherd. Finally, the king placed him in a brazen bull and lit a fire beneath it until he surrendered his pure soul to the Lord. The believers took his body and placed it with honor in the church. May his prayer be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.