Martyr
Martyr Celsius of Antinoe
† 313
Also known as: Кельсий
Martyr Celsius — son of the torturer who tormented Venerable-Martyr Julian of Antinoe, converted to Christ upon witnessing Julian's steadfastness, baptized by the presbyter Antony, and beheaded together with the whole group in 313.
Martyr Celsius was the son of the torturer who tormented Venerable-Martyr Julian of Antinoe in 313. Witnessing Julian's patient endurance under torture, Celsius came to believe in Christ and was baptized by the presbyter Antony.
His wife Marionilla (who believed after witnessing a resurrection miracle) and a pagan named Anastasius (himself raised from the dead) were baptized alongside him. After further torments, Celsius was beheaded together with Julian, Basilissa, Marionilla, Antony, Anastasius, seven youths, and twenty soldiers, receiving the martyr's crown.
His feast is kept on January 8/21 — together with Venerable-Martyr Julian and Venerable Basilissa, already described separately in this database.
NOTE: the name "Celsius" is shared by two different saints in the calendar — this Antinoe Celsius (companion of Julian and Basilissa), and a separate Hieromartyr Celsus of Milan (companion of Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, and Protasius, feast October 14/27). The identification with the Antinoe group was adopted for consistency with the already-completed database entry for Venerable Basilissa of Antinoe (of the same group).