Martyr 3rd century

Martyr Conon the Gardener

3rd century (died under Decius, 249-251)

Also known as Conon the Gardener · Conon of Pamphylia

Born in Nazareth, he lived quietly tending a garden in Pamphylia. He was seized and tortured during the persecution under Emperor Decius and died confessing Christ.

Feast Day
March 5
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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Conon the Gardener

Life

Conon the Gardener was a third-century martyr who, according to the synaxarion, was born in Nazareth of Galilee but settled in Pamphylia in Asia Minor, where he supported himself by tending a garden. He is remembered as a man of simple and unassuming life who confessed Christ when arrested during the persecution of the emperor Decius (249-251) and died of the tortures inflicted on him.

The Orthodox Church commemorates him on March 5. He is distinct from the soldier-martyr Conon of Isauria, who is also commemorated on the same day.

Timeline 2 moments Read Hide
  1. 249-251 Persecution of Decius Conon is arrested as a Christian during the empire-wide persecution under the emperor Decius.
  2. c. mid-3rd century Martyrdom in Pamphylia After refusing to sacrifice to the idols, Conon is tortured—his feet nailed and his body dragged behind a chariot—and dies confessing Christ.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life

The accounts relate that Conon came from Nazareth of Galilee and moved to Pamphylia, a province on the southern coast of Asia Minor, settling in a town the sources give as Mandona or Mandron. There he cultivated a garden and grew vegetables, and the tradition describes him as a God-fearing, sincere, and guileless man who lived quietly by his own labor.

When the persecution under Decius reached the region, officers came to arrest Conon as a Christian. By the account of John Sanidopoulos, he was brought before a governor named Puplius (Publius), who urged him to sacrifice to the idols; Conon refused, declaring that he could not renounce his faith though he should suffer ten thousand torments.

Martyrdom

The synaxarion relates that Conon's feet were pierced with nails and that he was then tied behind the governor's chariot and forced to run after it. As the chariot drove on he was dragged along a road strewn with sharp stones, which tore at his body until he collapsed from exhaustion. He prayed throughout his ordeal and surrendered his spirit to God.

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