Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Артемон Лаодикийский
†303
Hieromartyr Artemon, Presbyter of Laodicea — born in Syrian Laodicea to Christian parents, he served as a reader, deacon, and finally presbyter under Bishop Sisinius; together with him he smashed the idols of a pagan temple, for which he was seized and martyred in 303, during the persecution of Diocletian.
Hieromartyr Artemon was born in the first half of the 3rd century in Syrian Laodicea to Christian parents. At the age of 16 he was made a reader and served in that office for 12 years. For his diligence in service, Bishop Sisinius elevated him to the rank of deacon, and after 28 years of diaconal service ordained him presbyter. The presbyter Artemon was distinguished by a rare gift of healing the sick and casting out demons. During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian (303), despite his advanced age, St. Artemon, together with his bishop Sisinius, destroyed the idols of a pagan temple. For this, the military commander Patricius seized Artemon and subjected him to torture, demanding that he renounce Christ. The saint remained steadfast in the faith and was martyred. His memory is kept on April 13/26.
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