Holy Martyrs Alexander, Alpheius, Zosimus, Mark the Shepherd, Nikon, Neon and Heliodorus

The holy martyrs suffered under Emperor Diocletian in Antioch of Pisidia, during the governance of Magus. They saw Saint Mark, who was shepherding sheep, and a beast, pursued by soldiers, lay at his feet. Magus ordered thirty soldiers to bring Mark, but all of them turned to Christ. The governor bound some of them, while the others were sent to Nicaea, where they had their heads cut off. Three brothers of the Christians: Alpheus, Alexander, and Zosimus, were crucified together with Saint Mark, who was then beheaded. Magus sent Mark's head to the temple of Artemis, and when it was brought in, all the idols fell. Nikon, Neon, and Iliodor, seeing this miracle, believed in Christ and were also executed.