Holy Hieromartyr Evangelos, Bishop of Tomis

St. Evangelos of Tomi (Feast Day - July 7)

Verses

Divine Evangelos met his end by a sword,
Having as good news the divine crown.

The Holy Hieromartyr Evangelos (Evangelicus) lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). He is the first known Bishop of Tomis (Constanța) in Dacia Pontica (Lesser Scythia, or Dobrogea), which was evangelized by the Apostle Andrew. Bishop Evangelos converted many pagans of Dacia Pontica to Christianity. He is mentioned in the account of the martyrdom of Saints Epictetus and Astion, both martyred on July 8 in Halmyris (modern Dunavăţ), where he is described as the founder of churches in the province. The parents of these holy martyrs were baptized fourteen days later in Halmyris by Saint Evangelos after being converted by the priest Bonosus. He received the crown of martyrdom after being beheaded.