Armenian Church pays tribute to Bishop St. Theopompus and others
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates on Tuesday Bishop St. Theopompus, martyr St. Theovna and soldiers Sts. Basos, Eusebius, Eutikus and Basilides, Qahana.am reports.
Bishop St. Theopompus and martyr St. Theovna have been martyred in the city of Nicomidia in 303, during the period of reign of the king Dioclethianus. Being Christian Bishop Theopompus opposed the king and didn’t worship the idols, for which he was thrown into the stove. However, the saint was saved by a miracle, and the king got angrier and put the saint into the prison. It was then that the king called the magus Theovna and asked him to win the saint by means of witchery. However, meeting the saint Theovna believed in Jesus Christ, for which he was buried in the deep pit still being alive, and Theopompus was beheaded.
Soldiers Sts. Basos, Eusebius, Eutikus and Basilides were also martyred in the city of Nicomedia in 303, during the period of reign of the king Dioclethianus. They were the soldiers who kept watch over St. Theopompus. Witnessing his patience and unshakeable faith in Christ they were converted to true faith and become Christians. Becoming aware of this fact, the king deprived them of all honors and wealth and put them into the prison. After severe torments the soldiers were martyred.