Martyr
Martyrs Zeno and Zenas
† 286 или 305 (в календаре РПЦ — 304)
Also known as: Мчч. Зинон и Зина, Зинон Филадельфийский (Аравийский), Зина Филадельфийский
The soldier Zeno and his servant Zenas, who confessed Christ before the governor of Philadelphia in Arabia and were beheaded around the turn of the 4th century.
The Martyrs Zeno and Zenas suffered at Philadelphia in Arabia (today's Amman, Jordan). According to their Greek Passion, Zeno was a soldier, a Greek from the village of Zizium in Palestine, and a Christian. When the new governor Maximus began persecuting Christians, Zeno gave his property to the poor and freed his slaves; but his servant Zenas, also a Christian, begged to stay with his master.
Summoned during a pagan festival, Zeno refused to sacrifice, was flogged and kicked over the altar. He was put in stocks and imprisoned, and Zenas visited him at night; the next day both were brought to trial, and Maximus vainly tried to win Zenas over by offering him Zeno's rank. After further tortures, including being hung on a tree and burned — the fire did not harm them, and many onlookers turned to Christ — they were beheaded on June 23. Pious virgins secretly buried their bodies. The Passion dates their death to 286; the Bollandists preferred 305, and the Russian calendar gives 304. Their feast is June 22 (July 5 New Style).