Martyr 3rd century

Martyr Philoumenus of Ancyra

died 274

Also known as Philumenus

A bread merchant of Ancyra denounced as a Christian under Aurelian, who was tortured and martyred for refusing pagan worship.

Feast Day
November 29
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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Philoumenus of Ancyra

Life

Philoumenus of Ancyra was a third-century martyr who suffered at Ancyra, a city of Galatia in Asia Minor, during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Aurelian (reigned 270-275). According to the record he was a bread merchant who was denounced to the authorities for being a Christian and put to death after refusing to renounce his faith.

His martyrdom is dated to the year 274. Brought before the governor Felix, he confessed Christ and was subjected to a series of tortures, dying from the wounds inflicted upon him. He is commemorated on November 29.

He is to be distinguished from the modern Hieromartyr Philoumenos associated with Jacob's Well, who was killed in 1979; the martyr commemorated here is the ancient figure of the pre-Nicene persecutions.

Timeline 2 moments Read Hide
  1. 270-275 Persecution under Aurelian Philoumenus lived during the reign of the emperor Aurelian, whose rule saw renewed persecution of Christians in the Roman provinces of Asia Minor.
  2. 274 Denunciation and martyrdom at Ancyra Denounced as a Christian to the governor Felix and brought before him as judge, Philoumenus refused to deny Christ. He was tortured and died of his wounds, giving up his soul to God.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

The record presents Philoumenus as a bread merchant of Ancyra, a leading city of Galatia in Asia Minor. He was denounced to the governor Felix by those described as envious persons, who reported that he was a Christian, and on this accusation he was brought to trial.

Standing before the governor, Philoumenus did not renounce Christ. For his confession he was subjected to torture: according to the account, nails were driven into his hands, feet, and head, and he was forced to walk. He endured the torments steadfastly and died from loss of blood.

A more detailed tradition preserved in the Greek sources elaborates the sequence of his sufferings, describing nails first hammered through his feet, his flesh torn, a piercing with a wooden blade, and his being cast into a lit furnace which he survived; he was then made to run a distance of some thirty stades, roughly four miles, until he died of exhaustion and loss of blood.

Veneration

Philoumenus of Ancyra is commemorated in the Orthodox calendar on November 29. Liturgical hymns appointed for his feast celebrate his steadfast confession of Christ and his reception of the crown of martyrdom.

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