Hierarch
Hierarch Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus
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Saint Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus — a 4th-century wonderworker of the era of Constantine the Great, who converted many pagans, destroyed idol temples, cast out demons, and healed the incurably ill.
Saint Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus, was a 4th-century wonderworker of the era of Constantine the Great. Born in Melitopolis on the Hellespont, son of the deacon Christodulus (also given as Christophorus). Without formal education, he learned Scripture by attending church and worked as a fisherman, giving his earnings to the poor. From age 18 he displayed gifts of healing and exorcism.
Bishop Philip ordained him priest and sent him to preach throughout the diocese. Around 325, the Metropolitan of Cyzicus (named variously as Achillius or Ascolius in sources) consecrated him Bishop of Lampsacus. As bishop he converted many pagans, obtained imperial funds to build a church, destroyed pagan idols and temples, cast out demons, raised the dead, and healed the incurably ill.
He died peacefully in old age and was buried in a chapel he built beside the Lampsacus cathedral; relics are now venerated at Makrymalli Monastery near Chalcis, Euboea, Greece. His Life was written by Crispinus and later retold by St. Symeon Metaphrastes. NOTE: one image shows the bishop paired with a second, unlabeled or partly illegible companion bishop — sources on paired depictions of Parthenius disagree (naming either St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or St. Anthimus), so the companion's identity is left unresolved here. Feast: February 7/20.