Martyr
Martyr Hermes, Serapion and Polienus of Rome
II век
Martyrs Hermes, Serapion and Polienus of Rome — Christians who suffered in Rome in the 2nd century; having been imprisoned and, when questioned, firmly confessed faith in Christ, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, they were dragged by their torturers through narrow and impassable places and died, striking against rocks and outcrops.
Martyrs Hermes, Serapion and Polienus suffered for Christ in Rome in the 2nd century. Having been seized as Christians, they were imprisoned. Under interrogation, all three firmly confessed their faith in Christ and resolutely refused to offer sacrifice to pagan idols. For this, their torturers subjected them to a cruel execution: the saints were dragged through narrow, rocky, and nearly impassable places, and, striking against rocks and outcrops, the martyrs gave up their souls to the Lord. This martyr Hermes of Rome should not be confused with the two Apostles of the Seventy bearing similar names — Hermas (Hermias), Bishop of Dalmatia, and Herma, Bishop of Philippopolis, both mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:14: these are three distinct, historically attested persons. The memory of Martyrs Hermes, Serapion, and Polienus is kept on August 18/31.