The Holy Martyrs Zeno, Chariton and Archontius of Nicomedia
Life
Zeno, Chariton, and Archontius are commemorated on September 3 among the martyrs of Nicomedia, the eastern imperial capital, who suffered during the persecution of Christians under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian in the early fourth century. Their commemoration falls on the same day as that of the Hieromartyr Anthimus, bishop of the city, and the larger company of Nicomedian martyrs associated with him.
According to the synaxarion, the Martyr Zeno was put to death by being immersed in a cauldron of molten lead, and the Martyr Chariton by being cast into a pit of boiling lime. The Martyr Archontius is commemorated together with them on the same date. Beyond the manner of their deaths and their place among the martyrs of Nicomedia, the surviving accounts preserve little further detail of their lives.
Contributions & Legacy
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Historical Context
Nicomedia was an imperial residence under Diocletian, and its Christian community stood at the center of the persecution that intensified in the early fourth century. The synaxarion remembers a great number of Christians of the city who suffered in these years, including the multitude burned within a church and a series of named martyrs put to death by varied means. Zeno, Chariton, and Archontius are numbered among these Nicomedian martyrs, distinguished in the commemoration by the manner of their deaths.
His companions & kin
Bishop of the city, commemorated on the same day with the martyrs of Nicomedia
