3rd century
Saint Themistocles the Martyr
Shepherd from Myra in Lycia martyred in the third century.
Biography
Themistocles was a shepherd at Myra in Lycia in the time of Emperor Decius. When Asclepius, who was persecuting Christians, sent men to arrest the martyr Dioscorides, who had taken refuge on the mountain where Themistocles kept his flock, the soldiers came upon Themistocles first.
Asked about his faith, he confessed Christ without hesitation. He was arrested in Dioscorides' place and brought before Asclepius, who, finding him unshaken, ordered him tortured. Themistocles died under torture in 251.