Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Nikandr, Bishop of Myra, and Ermey the Presbyter
I в.(?)
Also known as: Никандр и Ермей Мирликийские
Hieromartyrs Nikandr, Bishop of Myra, and Ermey the presbyter — converted to Christ by the Apostle of the Seventy, Titus, who ordained them bishop and presbyter of Myra, and who endured cruel torture and were buried alive for preaching Christ.
HONEST NOTE ON DATING: the Orthodox Encyclopedia notes uncertainty in the dating of the Life ("1st century (?)").
Hieromartyrs Nikandr and Ermey were converted to Christ by the Apostle of the Seventy, Titus, a disciple of the Apostle Paul. Titus ordained Nikandr bishop and Ermey presbyter of Myra. Through zealous preaching they converted many pagans, which drew the attention of the local ruler Libanius. Refusing to renounce Christ despite threats, they were subjected to cruel torture — bound to wild horses, imprisoned and starved, scraped with iron implements, thrown into a superheated furnace (which an angel miraculously cooled), and finally had nails driven into their heads, hearts, and abdomens. They were ultimately buried alive in a pit, surrendering their souls to God.
Their feast is kept on November 4/17.