Saint Nestor of Thessaloniki defeats gladiator Lyaios and accepts martyrdom
The post recounts the martyrdom of Saint Nestor of Thessaloniki in the early fourth century. A gladiator named Lyaios was killing Christians as public entertainment in Thessaloniki. The young Christian Nestor, after receiving a blessing from the imprisoned Saint Demetrios, entered the arena and defeated Lyaios.
Saint Demetrios had foretold both the victory and Nestor's own martyrdom. After the victory, the emperor ordered Nestor's beheading. The account is presented in a series of illustrated panels.
Main points
- Saint Nestor challenged the gladiator Lyaios who was slaughtering Christians in Thessaloniki
- He received a blessing and prophecy of martyrdom from Saint Demetrios
- Nestor defeated Lyaios in the arena invoking the God of Demetrios
- The emperor ordered Nestor's execution by beheading
- The story is told through a sequence of illustrated panels
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