Martyr4th century

Martyr Severian of Sebaste

d. 320

A soldier who visited the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste in prison and was himself tortured and martyred for Christ (320)

September 9New Calendar

Feast Day

September 22Old Calendar

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Commemorated as

The Holy, Glorious Martyr Severian of Sebaste

Life

Severian of Sebaste was a soldier martyred for his Christian faith at Sebaste in Armenia (present-day Sivas, Turkey) in the year 320, during the persecutions under Emperor Licinius. According to the hagiographic tradition, Severian came to the prison where the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste were being held — soldiers condemned to die by exposure on a frozen pond for refusing to renounce Christianity. Moved by their steadfast witness, Severian declared himself a Christian. He was subsequently arrested, tortured, and put to death for his faith. The Church commemorates him as a companion-martyr to the Forty, though he died separately, and his feast is kept on September 9.

Troparion & Kontakion2 hymnsReadHide

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Severian, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Severian;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Historical Context

The martyrdoms at Sebaste took place during the reign of Licinius, co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, who intensified persecution of Christians in his domains in the years before his defeat by Constantine I. The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste — members of the Legio XII Fulminata — were condemned around 320 for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods; they were exposed naked on a frozen lake and died of cold. Severian's connection to them places his martyrdom in this same historical moment and location.

Veneration

The Church commemorates Severian on September 9. He is venerated alongside the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, whose feast is March 9, as one who was inspired by their example and immediately paid for his faith with his life. His memory is preserved in the Synaxarion and the Roman Martyrology.

Companions1 figureShowHide

The soldiers whose witness in prison inspired Severian to declare his Christian faith; martyred by exposure on a frozen pond, March 9, 320

40 Holy Martyrsof Sebaste

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Sources: Synaxarion; Roman Martyrology