Saint Sisinios the Confessor, Bishop of Cyzicus

St. Sisinios the Confessor (Feast Day - November 23)

Verses

Having first submitted to much violence in life,
Sisinios entered life without violence.

Sisinios was from the city of Cyzicus and contested during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the year 300, when Alexander was Governor of Cyzicus. He was accused of being a Christian to Alexander, and after confessing that he was indeed a Christian, he was bound to wild horses and forced to run with them. He was then beaten without mercy, and they forced bitter vinegar up his nose. After enduring other tortures, and performing various miracles, he was cast into prison.

1831 Russian icon depicting the Archangel Michael holding a sword of three blades holding back demons in the form of women, while Sts. Sisinios and Marouthas (2/16) pray; below is the torture of St. Sisinios being dragged.

When Constantine the Great came to the throne, and an edict of toleration towards Christians was issued, Sisinios was released from prison and became Bishop of Cyzicus. He gathered with the other Holy Fathers in the year 325 at the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicaea, where he choked Arius with the sinews of his correct doctrine, proclaiming the Son to be consubstantial with the Father. Having therefore conducted himself well with love for God, he departed to the Lord.