Priestmartyr Epictetus

The name Epictetus is often used together with the name of another martyr, Astion.
Despite the age difference, they were bound by the bond of a teacher and a disciple, as well as an ardent faith in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Epictetus devoted his whole life to the service of the Lord, and through His glorification to people.
For this, the Lord blessed him with the gift of healing and the ability to cast out demons.
Once, attracted by rumors about a wise old man, he was visited by a young man from a noble family, Astion.
Epictetus’s preaching of Saviors, eternal life, and service so touched the heart of the young man that he fervently believed in Christ.
Fearing persecution and eager to carry the Gospel to other nations, Astion and his teacher set off from their city to the banks of the Danube.
There they tried to lead the life of hermits, but the gift of healing cannot be hidden.
People reached out to Epictetus and his disciple, whom the Lord also blessed with this gift.
Epictetus and Astion healed the people from serious illnesses, mental rushes, showed them the way to true faith. More and more inhabitants of the surrounding lands accepted Christ as their Savior.
This caused alarm among the pagan priests and they reported on the Christian ministers to the local ruler, Latronian. He was a pagan and persecuted Christians as best he could.
The governor ordered the hermits to be arrested and tortured, forcing them to renounce Christ.
Despite the terrible torments, Astion and Epictetus steadfastly adhered to their faith, prayed tirelessly and praised the Lord. The assistant of the executioner, a certain Vigilantius, was so amazed by their courage that he regularly secretly entered the prison and asked to instruct in the teaching of Christ. After a while he was baptized himself and then his whole family.
The governor ordered the saints to starve, but this did not break their commitment to Christ. After 30 days, Latronian ordered the hermits stoned and their heads cut off.
Shortly before, one of Astion’s countrymen recognized him during a public interrogation.
When he came to his hometown, he told his parents what he had seen. They went immediately, but they were late. Vigilantius met them at the pier, talked, learned that they were Astion’s parents. He told them about the last days of his son’s life and taught them in the teachings of Christ. That night my parents had a vision. His son visited them, comforted them, and said that he was at peace. After some time, the parents accepted Baptism, returned to their city, distributed their property. They spent the rest of their lives in fasting and prayer.