Martyrs Rufinus the Deacon Aquilina, and 200 Soldiers at Sinope
Early 4th century (Sinope on the Black Sea)
Also known as Rufinus the Deacon · Aquilina · the Two Hundred Soldiers of Sinope
Rufinus a deacon, the woman Aquilina, and two hundred soldiers who confessed Christ and were martyred together at Sinope during the persecution under Maximinus Daia around 306.
Feast Day
April 7
Draft
Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.
The Holy Martyrs Rufinus the Deacon, Aquilina, and the Two Hundred Soldiers at Sinope
Life
This commemoration honors a group of martyrs who suffered together at Sinope, a city on the southern shore of the Black Sea, during the persecution under Maximinus Daia in the early fourth century, traditionally placed around the year 306. The group comprises Rufinus, a deacon of the Church at Sinope; the woman Aquilina; and two hundred soldiers who confessed Christ.
According to the synaxarion, Rufinus was active in converting many people to Christianity. He and Aquilina were arrested and tortured, and the soldiers, moved by their endurance and the miracles they witnessed, themselves confessed Christ and were put to death.
Timeline 2 moments
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c. 306Arrest of Rufinus and AquilinaRufinus, a deacon of the Church at Sinope who was converting many to Christianity, was arrested together with the woman Aquilina during the persecution. Both were subjected to torture.
c. 306Conversion and martyrdom of the soldiersAfter witnessing the sufferings and the miracles of Rufinus and Aquilina, two hundred soldiers were converted to Christ. Rufinus was beheaded, Aquilina received the crown of martyrdom by fire, and the soldiers were executed by beheading.
Contributions & Legacy
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The Martyrdom at Sinope
The setting of this collective martyrdom was Sinope on the Black Sea, during the early-fourth-century persecution associated with the emperor Maximinus Daia. Rufinus, a deacon, is remembered for having brought many to the Christian faith before his arrest.
The tradition relates that Rufinus and Aquilina were tortured for their confession, and that two hundred soldiers, witnessing their steadfastness and the wonders that accompanied them, were converted and condemned with them. Rufinus was beheaded, Aquilina was put to death by fire, and the soldiers were beheaded, so that the whole company is commemorated together as one band of martyrs.
