Saint Agathonikos lived in Nicomedia during the reign of the Emperor Maximian. There he preached Christianity and converted many pagans until he was arrested by the count Eutolmius.
Eutolmius had been sent to persecute Christians. Along the way, he encountered Saint Zoticus and his disciples, whom he arrested and condemned to death. Returning to Nicomedia, he also arrested the prince of the city along with several other Christians. Among them there were also Theoprepios, Akindynos, and Severian.
He then set out on a long journey, intending to take them to Thrace and deliver them to the king. When they reached the village of Ammos, near Selymbria, the saints, exhausted and covered with wounds, collapsed. By order of the king, Eutolmius had them beheaded.
The Church celebrates their memory on August 22.
