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Martyr4th century

Martyr Apollonius of Sardis

Also known as Apollonius

A Christian of Sardis in Lydia who refused to swear by the name of the emperor and, after torture, was crucified for Christ.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Apollonius of Sardis

Life

Apollonius of Sardis was an early Christian martyr from the city of Sardis in Lydia, a region of Asia Minor. Having openly professed himself a Christian, he was arrested and, when ordered to swear an oath in the name of the emperor, refused, declaring that it was improper to swear by the name of a mortal man. After prolonged torture he was put to death by crucifixion.

The synaxarion accounts place his martyrdom in the third century, at Iconium, during one of the imperial persecutions, either under the emperor Decius (reigned 249-251) or the emperor Valerian (reigned 253-259). He is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on July 10.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide
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 Apollonius;
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).

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Apollonius, 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).

Contributions & Legacy

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Martyrdom

According to the synaxarion, Apollonius came from Sardis in Lydia and declared himself a Christian, for which he was arrested. The authorities demanded that he take an oath by the name of the reigning emperor; he refused, saying that it was improper to swear by the name of a mortal man.

He was tortured at length and then crucified. The accounts associate his death with the city of Iconium and assign it to one of the third-century persecutions of Decius or Valerian, though they do not specify which with certainty.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints