Martyr Arrian of Antinoe

The Martyr Arrian was governor of the Thebaid in Egypt under Emperor Diocletian (284–305) and a persecutor of Christians; at Antinoe he condemned the martyrs Apollonius and Philemon. During Philemon's torture an arrow rebounded and struck out Arrian's right eye. Philemon told him he would be healed after Philemon's death by taking earth from his grave and calling on the name of Christ. After the martyrs were beheaded, Arrian did so and was healed; he confessed himself a Christian, was baptised with his household, freed thirty-six imprisoned Christians and honourably buried the martyrs.

Diocletian sent four guardsmen, the eldest of whom was Theotychus, to bring Arrian to him. Arrian refused to sacrifice to Apollo; according to the Life by St Dimitry of Rostov he was sewn into a sack with sand and thrown into the sea, and Theotychus and the other guardsmen, who also declared themselves Christians, shared his death. Their bodies were brought ashore near Alexandria and buried by Arrian's servants. According to the synaxarion, Arrian and Theotychus died on 4 March 287.

Saints Philemon, Apollonius, Arrian and Theotychus of Antinoe are commemorated on 14 December (27 December new style).