Martyr Valerian of Trebizond

Martyr Valerian of Trebizond suffered for Christ in the late third to early fourth century, during the reign of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, amid fierce persecution of Christians. Together with Saints Eugenios, Kandidos, and Akila, he abandoned his home and worldly life to withdraw into the mountains near Trebizond, choosing to dwell among wild beasts rather than pagan persecutors. The four were soon discovered, seized, and brought to trial before the military commander Lysias in Trebizond. For their bold confession of faith they were scourged with ox-hide thongs, raked with iron hooks, had salt rubbed into their wounds, and were burned with fire — yet they uttered not a single groan, astonishing even their torturers. After further torments and a miraculous deliverance from a heated furnace, Lysias ordered all four beheaded. Saint Eugenios later became especially venerated as the patron of Trebizond.