St. Ischyrion

Saint Ischyrion

Martyr

Ischyrion was an Egyptian Christian of the third century. He apparently served as an official in the local Roman government of the era, during the reign of Diocletian. Some scholars, however, identify him with the St. Ischyrion who is commemorated, with five fellow martyrs, on June 1^st. This Ischyrion, who was also an Egyptian, lived some five decades earlier, during the reign of Decius, and served as an officer in the Roman army. A persecution of Christians had begun under Decius, and Ischyrion was challenged by his superior to offer sacrifice to the Roman idols. Ischyrion refused, and his superior began to berate and threaten him. When Ischyrion stood firm, his superior only grew angrier, until the furious pagan finally took up a spear and ran it through the holy martyr. Ischyrion was one of many Christian martyrs in Egypt during the Decian persecution. St. Chaeremon, who is also mentioned today, along with his many companions, was Bishop of Nilopolis. He and many of his flock fled from the persecution into the Egyptian deserts, where they fell prey to wild beasts, hunger, exposure, illness, or murder at the hands of robbers and bandits. For their sufferings, directly caused by the persecution, Chaeremon and his companions are honored as martyrs.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for December 22nd

AT Rome, between the two bay-trees on the Lavican road, the birthday of thirty holy martyrs, who were all on one day crowned with martyrdom, in the persecution of Diocletian.

In the same city, St. Flavian, ex-prefect, who, under Julian the Apostate, was condemned to be branded for Christ, and banished to Aquae Taurinae, where he gave up his soul to God in prayer.

At Ostia, the holy martyrs Demetrius, Honoratus and Florus.

At Alexandria, the holy martyr Ischyrion. Because he despised all the cruelties they made him suffer to force him to sacrifice to idols, they transpierced his bowels with a sharp-pointed stake, and thus put him to death.

In Egypt, the Saint Chaeremon, bishop of Nilopolis, and many other martyrs. Some of them fled whilst the persecution of Decius was raging, and wandering in different directions through deserts, were killed by wild beasts; others perished by famine, cold and sickness; others again were murdered by barbarians and robbers, and thus all were crowned with a glorious martyrdom.

At Nicomedia, St. Zeno, soldier, who derided Diocletian for sacrificing to Ceres, wherefore he had his jawbones fractured, his teeth plucked out and his head struck off.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.