Martyr Photius (Fot) of Syria

Martyr Photius (Fot) was one of the seven children of Martyrs Terentius and Neonilla — a Christian married couple who lived in Syria and raised all their children — Sarvil, Photius, Theodulus, Hierax, Nitus, Vilus, and Eunikia — in firm faith in Christ. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (r. 249-251), the entire family was seized by the pagan authorities for openly confessing the faith and denouncing idolatry. Neither the parents nor the children renounced Christ despite cruel torture, and the whole family was put to a martyr's death (beheaded). No individual biographical details about Photius himself, beyond his part in the family's shared martyrdom, have survived in the sources. His memory is kept on October 28/November 10.