Holy Martyrs Ananias the Presbyter, Peter the Prison Guard and the Seven Soldiers With Them

Saint Ananias distinguished himself with piety from a young age and became a deacon, and later a presbyter. During the persecution of Diocletian, he was brought to trial, where he confessed Christ and mocked the pagan gods. After being imprisoned, Christ appeared to him, and then the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The jailer Peter believed in Christ, and both were subjected to cruel tortures but remained unharmed. Seven soldiers who turned to Christ also suffered but miraculously survived. All nine martyrs were thrown into the fire and drowned in the sea, but, thanks to the appearance of the Holy Spirit, they remained whole. The bodies of the saints were found on the shore and were honorably buried by Christians, exuding healings.