Martyr Plato of Ancyra

Saint Plato was born in Ancyra, Galatia, into a devout family, received a good education, and, distinguished by his eloquence and knowledge of Hellenic philosophy, openly preached the Gospel from his youth during the persecutions, impressing listeners with his learning.

Seized and brought to trial before the governor Agrippinus at the temple of Zeus, the saint was first flattered (the governor compared him to the philosopher Plato) and then subjected to prolonged torture: he was held in prison without food or water for 18 days, beaten, starved, and flayed. He was offered freedom in exchange for merely conceding in words that "the god Apollo is also great," but Plato refused even this concession, saying, "I do not wish to sin even in word."

In the end, by order of Agrippinus, the saint was beheaded.

IMPORTANT NOTE: tradition holds that Martyr Plato's brother was Martyr Antiochus the Physician (feast July 16), who also suffered for Christ; no sisters are mentioned in the sources.

His feast is kept on November 18/December 1.