The memory of the holy martyr Diomedes

St. Diomedes was a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, a physician by trade, and a Christian by faith, who healed not only bodies but also souls; for he exhorted the Hellenes to believe in God and enlightened them, preparing them for holy baptism.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian [284-305 C.E.], St. Diomedes left Tarsus and came to the city of Nicaea, which was in Bithynia [Bithynia <unk> province of Asia Minor]; and here, as was his custom, St. Diomedes practiced healing, not only with medicines, but chiefly by invoking the all-powerful and purposeful name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the sign of the righteous cross; he converted many idolaters

to the faith in Christ through his healing art and his teaching.

And when Diocletian the emperor, who was in the east at that time, heard of it, he sent his soldiers to take Diomedes, who was dead for the Lord; and they cut off the head of Diomedes, that they might bring it to the emperor.

When the emperor saw the head, and also the blind soldiers, he ordered them immediately to take the head and put it to the body in its place; only the soldiers did so, as they immediately saw and believed in our Lord Jesus Christ, the true God, to whom be glory forever.