Martyr Didymus of Alexandria

The Martyr Didymus was a Christian soldier who suffered in Alexandria in 303 or 304, during the persecution of Diocletian, together with the virgin Theodora, whom he had saved from dishonour. The governor Eustratius gave Theodora three days to renounce Christ and, when she stood firm, sent her to a brothel. Didymus, in his soldier's uniform, entered, drove away the young men, gave Theodora his clothes and let her escape, remaining in her place.

Brought before the governor, he openly confessed that he was a Christian and had freed her, and was sentenced to death. Theodora came to the place of execution and asked to die with him; according to the Prologue of Ochrid, she begged him to yield the martyr's death to her, and he refused to be deprived of dying for Christ. Both were beheaded — Theodora first, then Didymus — and their bodies were burned. The story goes back to 4th-century acts and is also related by St Ambrose of Milan. Their feast is May 27 (June 9 New Style); the Greek Church also commemorates them on April 5. He is not to be confused with St Didymus of Laodicea (September 11).