Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea in Cappadocia

The Great Martyr Mercurius of Caesarea in Cappadocia was a soldier-martyr of the early Christian era. A Scythian by birth, he served in the Roman army under the emperors Decius (249–251) and Valerian (253–260). According to his Life, during a campaign against the Goths an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, presenting him with a sword and promising victory. Mercurius routed the enemy and personally struck down the barbarian king, securing the Roman triumph. When Decius learned that a Christian had won the victory, he demanded Mercurius sacrifice to the pagan gods. The soldier-saint refused and openly confessed Christ, for which he was tortured — his body cut with knives, though the wounds healed miraculously. He was beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia, and his body gave off a sweet fragrance; healings followed at his tomb. Tradition holds that Saint Mercurius later appeared after death and struck down the apostate emperor Julian during his Persian campaign (363), fulfilling a prophecy of Saint Basil the Great. His feast is kept November 24/December 7 — the same day later chosen for his namesake, Mercurius of Smolensk.