Martyr Anicetus (Aniketas) of Nicomedia

Martyr Anicetus (Aniketas) was a distinguished military official in Nicomedia who had converted to Christianity. He openly rebuked Emperor Diocletian for setting up instruments of execution in the city square to terrify Christians.

The enraged emperor ordered his tongue cut out, but by divine power Anicetus continued to speak; he was tortured, tied to wild horses, and thrown into a scorching bath, yet remained unharmed. His nephew Photius openly confessed Christ before the emperor and shared in his uncle's torments.

Finally both, together with many other Christians, were cast into a great furnace, where they surrendered their souls to God in prayer; their bodies were found unburned by the fire, a miracle that converted many pagans to Christ. They suffered c. 305.

Their feast is kept on August 12/25.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the frontal icon inscribed "HOLY MARTYR PHOTIUS" and "HOLY MARTYR ANIKETAS" directly confirms the identity; an additional image was moved here from the venerable_martyr_anicetus entry (captioned "Anicetus of Nicomedia"), which had previously and incorrectly conflated this saint with Pope Anicetus of Rome — a separate, different saint.