Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Hermocrates of Nicomedia, Priest
†ок. 305
Hieromartyr Hermocrates — one of three Nicomedian priests (together with Hermolaus and Hermippus) who survived the burning of 20,000 Christians in the Nicomedian church by order of Emperor Maximian in 303; hiding in seclusion, he continued to instruct pagans in the Christian faith; he was seized together with his companions during the trial of the Great Martyr Panteleimon and put to a martyr's death.
Hieromartyr Hermocrates, together with Hieromartyrs Hermolaus and Hermippus, were priests of Nicomedia and survived after twenty thousand Christians were burned in the Nicomedian church by order of Emperor Maximian (r. 284-305) in 303. Hiding in remote parts of the city, the holy priests did not cease to instruct pagans in the Christian faith. It was from St. Hermolaus that the pagan youth Pantoleon received baptism, later becoming renowned as the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. When the trial of the holy Great Martyr Panteleimon was underway, the holy priests Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates were also seized; for their firm confession of Christ, all three were put to a martyr's death around 305. Their memory is kept on July 26/August 8.