Saint Mercurius the Great Martyr
It is celebrated every year on November 25
Saint Mercurius the Great Martyr was a brave soldier, not only of the army of the emperor Decius, whom he served, but also of Christ. Mercurius came from Scythia and his father was called Gordianus.
Distinguishing himself in some battle, in which he killed the general of the opponents, he was honored with the office of general-in-chief. But when he was called upon to participate in pagan sacrifices, he refused, and did not hesitate, when asked, to confess that he was a Christian. The king tried at first, with sweet words, to persuade him.
But seeing that they were failing, he ordered his torture. And after they filled him with wounds, and caused great burns to his flesh, they beheaded him in Caesarea of Cappadocia, between the years 253 and 259 AD.
