3rd century
Saint Mercurius the Great Martyr
Soldier and martyr of the third century.
Biography
According to the synaxarion, Mercurius came from Scythia and served as a soldier in the army of Emperor Decius. After distinguishing himself by killing the enemy commander in battle, he was promoted to army general; but when ordered to sacrifice to idols, he openly confessed himself a Christian.
Despite the torture that followed, he did not go back on his confession and was beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia, between AD 253 and 259. According to a widespread tradition, the Archangel Michael had given him a second, miraculous sword, which is why he is venerated as the "two-sworded" saint.