Martyr Сократ Пергийский (Памфилийский)

Martyr Socrates of Perga (Pamphylia) suffered in the 2nd century, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161), in the city of Perga in Pamphylia (Asia Minor), as one of a group of five martyrs — Theodore, his mother Philippia, Dioscorus, Socrates, and Dionysius. Socrates and Dionysius were soldiers assigned to guard the young recruit Theodore, who had refused to sacrifice to idols. Witnessing a heavenly sign — a fiery chariot descending to receive Theodore's soul — Socrates and Dionysius came to believe in Christ and openly confessed their faith. For this they were thrown into a heated furnace together with Theodore, but were miraculously preserved unharmed by a descending dew; afterward all were put to death. The feast of the Martyrs Theodore, Philippia, Dioscorus, Socrates, and Dionysius of Perga is kept on April 21 (May 4, New Style).