Great-martyr Artemius of Antioch
Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch was a prominent
military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great (May
21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many
awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of
Egypt. In this official position, he did much for the spreading and
strengthening of Christianity in Egypt.
Saint Artemius was sent by the emperor Constantius to
bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from Patras, and the relics of the
holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of Boeotia, to Constantinople. The holy relics
were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation.
The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt.
The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by
Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism was
extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At
Antioch, he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian
Faith.
During this time, Saint Artemius arrived in Antioch
and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the
saint to terrible tortures and threw the Great Martyr Artemius into prison.
While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and
said, “Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every
hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of
glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I
confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you
shall be with Me in My Kingdom.” Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up
glory and thanksgiving to Him.
On the following day, Julian demanded that Saint Artemius
honor the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to
further tortures. The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint told
Julian that he would be justly recompensed for his persecution of Christians.
Julian became furious and resorted to even more savage tortures, but they did
not break the will of the saint. Finally, the Great Martyr Artemius was
beheaded.
His relics were buried by Christians. After the death
of Saint Artemius, his prophecy about Julian the Apostate’s impending death
came true.
Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near
the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed
to betray his countrymen and guide Julian’s army. The old man deceived Julian
and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food
nor water. Tired from hunger and thirst, Julian’s army battled against fresh
Persian forces.
Divine retribution caught up with Julian the Apostate.
During the battle, he was mortally wounded by an unseen hand and an unseen
weapon. Julian groaned deeply said, “You have conquered, Galilean!” After the
death of the apostate emperor, the relics of the Great Martyr Artemius were
transferred with honor from Antioch to Constantinople.
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