Saints Marcian and Martyrius: Martyrs Who Rejected Bribes for the Faith
In the fourth century, as Arianism spread with imperial support, Patriarch Paul of Constantinople was exiled to Armenia and killed. His secretaries, the reader Marcian and the subdeacon Martyrius, refused to abandon Orthodoxy. Their persecutors offered bribes of wealth and honor, but both saints rejected every offer.
When bribery failed, they were sentenced to death. Before their beheading in 355, they prayed: "Lord, we rejoice that we depart this life by such a death. Make us worthy to share in eternal life, for You are our life!" They bowed their heads and were executed. Years later, Saint John Chrysostom built a church over their wonderworking relics.
Their lives show that true faith cannot be purchased and loyalty to Christ must not depend on earthly rewards.
Main points
- Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon, both secretaries to Patriarch Paul of Constantinople.
- After Paul's exile and death, they refused bribes to betray the Orthodox Faith.
- They were beheaded in 355 after rejecting all offers of wealth and honor.
- Before execution they prayed, rejoicing in their martyrdom and asking for eternal life.
- Saint John Chrysostom later built a church over their wonderworking relics.