On the nineteenth of this month [September], we commemorate the Holy Martyrs Trophimos, Sabbatios and Dorymedon.
Verses
To Trophimos and Dorymedon
Inspired Dorymedon and Trophimos,
Accepted the sword and the end of their lives.
To Sabbatios
Scraped with sharp iron Sabbatios the Martyr,
Attains the divine sabbath rest.
On the nineteenth Trophimos with his two fellow athletes were cut asunder.
During the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282), and Atticus the succeeding vicarius, namely the locum tenens of Antioch, in the year 278, Saints Trophimos and Sabbatios came to Antioch from a foreign land. When they saw all the inhabitants there in a frenzy and out of their minds for the festival of the false god Apollo in Daphne of Antioch, for this reason they were grieved in their souls. Therefore they cried out to God with sighing hearts for the salvation of the city, and by this they revealed that they were Christians. So they were brought before the vicarius, who first interrogated Saint Trophimos. He boldly confessed his faith in Christ, and for this reason he was stripped and stretched out from the four parts of his body. After being cruelly beaten like this, to the point where the entire ground was red with blood, he was then hung up and had his sides scraped. Then he was imprisoned and stretched out to the four holes of the torturous and punishing wood.
After this Sabbatios stood before the vicarius, and because he boldly confessed Christ he was struck in the chin, and his sides were torn at with iron claws. This exposed his bones and joints, so that they were stripped of any meat, and his stomach and innards were entirely visible. Being taken down from the stake, shortly after the thrice-blessed one delivered his spirit into the hands of God, and he received the crown of the contest.
Trophimos was sent to Synnada, the chief city of Phrygia, to Governor Perennius of Phrygia Salutaris, wearing shoes pierced with sharp iron nails. Standing before him, he boldly confessed his faith in Christ. Therefore he was the four parts of his body were stretched out, and he was beaten cruelly with the sinews of an ox. And being bound to a stake, he was was scraped without mercy for many hours. Then vinegar and salt was poured out over his wounds. With his flesh entirely torn apart, they cast him into prison, and sealed his feet in the punishing wood.
Then Dorymedon, who was a chief senator, went to the prison to attend to the Martyr. Because he was not present with the governor at the sacrifice to the idols, he was asked for, and he boldly confessed his faith in Christ. For this he was sent to prison. The next day, because he rebuked the tyrant, his sides were pierced with iron skewers. He was then hung up and mercilessly scraped at in his sides and face. They then removed his teeth by the root, and entirely removed with cruelty the hairs of his head and beard. Like this they laid him out over a fire.
After this Saint Trophimos was once again brought for trial, and he showed even more boldness than before. He was hung up once again, and with burning skewers his eyes were removed. Then they again threw him into prison. Afterwards, Trophimos and Dorymedon were brought before the governor, and they were given as food to a wild and hungry bear. Then they were given as food to a lion, which was urged by its keeper to tear the Saints apart, however it instead turned against him and tore him apart. Because the Saints remained unharmed after such fierce torments, for this reason they were beheaded. In this way they completed the struggle of their martyrdom.*
Notes:
* A reliquary in the form of a sarcophagus containing some of the bones of Trophimos was discovered at Schifout Kassaba (Synnada) in 1907, and transported to the museum at Bursa; this monument may date back to the third century.
Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Adorned with the might of the Trinity you cut off the thorns of error, blessed Trophimos delight of the Church, wise Sabbatios adornment of athletes, and Dorymedon glory of the faithful. We praise you with hymns.
Another Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
God praised in Trinity has glorified a trinity of martyrs: Trophimos, Sabbatios, and Dorymedon. By their faith, they overthrew the adversary. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Martyrs Trophimos, Sabbatios and Dorymedon, you were a river flowing with the gifts of the Spirit, and now you water the world with miracles.
Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As the foundation of athletes and the confirmation of piety the Church honors and glorifies your brilliant suffering, wise and glorious Trophimos, ever-praised and blessed athlete. Together with your fellow sufferers, ask cleansing for those who hymn you, for you are invincible.
