Martyrdom at Antioch and Synnada
The accounts agree that the persecution began at Antioch, where a public pagan festival was in progress; some recensions specify offerings to Apollo at Daphne near the city. Trophimus and Sabbatius, passing through, were grieved at the spectacle and, by abstaining from the sacrifices, drew the attention of the authorities and were arrested.
Sabbatius died in the course of his interrogation under severe beating. Trophimus, who survived, was transferred to Synnada in Phrygia (a town later identified with modern Şuhut in Turkey), where he was subjected to further torments. There he was joined in confession and death by the senator Dorymedon. The sources name the governing officials variously — Atticus is named for Antioch and Dionysius for Synnada — reflecting the different recensions of the passion.