Martyr Sabinus of Hermopolis, Egypt

The Holy Martyr Savinus (Sabinus) of Hermopolis, Egypt, served as the ruler (archon) of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian (284–305), he abandoned his office, wealth, and family, and hid together with fellow believers in a remote village, giving himself to fasting and prayer. An ungrateful beggar, whom the saint had long supported with food and money, betrayed his hiding place for two gold coins. Savinus was seized along with six other Christians; despite cruel torture with iron implements and fire, he steadfastly confessed Christ and refused to sacrifice to the idols. All seven were drowned in the waters of the Nile; the saint's death is traditionally dated to the year 287. Church tradition associates this date with the reign of Diocletian, though the empire-wide "Great Persecution" formally began later, in 303, making the precise dating approximate. The martyr Savinus is commemorated twice in the church calendar: on March 13 (26) and March 16 (29); the Greek Church, following the calendar of St. Germanus, keeps his full liturgical office on March 16 (29).