Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries of Constantinople

Commemorated on October 25


The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor (November 6).


Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The heretics attempted to entice Sts Marcian and Martyrius over to their side by flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as archbishop, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain.


Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before death, the martyrs prayed, "Lord God, Who have invisibly created our hearts, and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the slaughter (Ps 32/33:15; 43/44:22). We rejoice that by such a death we shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life eternal with You, the Source of life." After their prayer the martyrs, with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the impious (+ ca. 335).


Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians. Later, by decree of St John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs were transferred to a church built in their honor. Believers here were healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.


Troparion - Tone 3
In holy zeal you dispelled the error of Arius,Proclaiming the Trinity in one essence.Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius,Unshaken bulwarks of Orthodoxy.Pray to Christ our God to grant us his great mercy!


Kontakion - Tone 4
You fought well from your youth, O wise martyrs,And by preserving the Orthodox Faith inviolateYou humbled the apostate AriusFaithfully following your teacher, Paul.Therefore, with him you have found life as champions of the Trinity!


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