3rd–4th century
Saint Artemon of Laodicea
An elderly priest of Laodicea tortured under Diocletian after he and his bishop destroyed the idols of a temple.
Biography
Artemon lived under Diocletian and was an elderly priest of the church of Laodicea in Syria, having served for decades as reader, deacon and priest alongside Bishop Sisinnius. Together they destroyed the idols of a pagan temple in the city.
A count named Patricius wanted to punish them but fell ill by divine judgement; healed through Sisinnius's prayer, he remained unrepentant and tortured Artemon, ordering him thrown into a cauldron of pitch. Tradition holds that a divine power cast Patricius himself into the cauldron instead, while Artemon went on preaching and working miracles until his peaceful death in Asia Minor.