Martyr Martyr Pontius the Roman (of Cimiez)

IDENTIFICATION: the image (pravicon.com/icon-2741) is an annual liturgical calendar icon depicting together the martyrs Eusignius and Pontius the Roman (Russia, 1st half of the 16th century) — both are commemorated on the same day, August 5, which explains their joint depiction (Eusignius being an aged veteran soldier). This confirms the image is genuine, not contamination.

Pontius was born in Rome to a pagan senator, Marcus, and his wife Julia; by legend, a demon speaking through a pagan priest in the Temple of Jupiter foretold that the child would destroy the idol's cult, prompting his mother to attempt to kill him, thwarted by his father. As a boy, walking to school with his companion Valerius (Valerian), Pontius heard Christians singing (Psalm 113) from a house, went in, was catechized, and was later baptized by Pope Pontian (Bishop of Rome 230–235) together with Valerius.

After his own father's conversion, he became a senator under Emperor Alexander Severus. He grew close to Pope Fabian (236–250), who loved him as a son; together they gave alms to the poor. Under Emperor Philip the Arab (244–249), Pontius's preaching reportedly helped convert the emperor himself and his son, whom Fabian baptized; Pontius and Fabian destroyed a statue of Jupiter and built a church on the site.

When persecution resumed under Decius (249) and Pope Fabian was martyred (250), Pontius fled Rome for Cimela (Cimiez, near modern Nice, in Gaul), where he continued to preach. Under Emperor Valerian's persecution he was arrested for refusing to sacrifice to idols; according to his Life, he miraculously survived being bound to a torture wheel (which broke apart), being thrown to bears (which turned on their keepers), and fire. He was finally beheaded in 257; his body was buried outside the city by his lifelong friend Valerius, who by tradition left an eyewitness account of his death.