Martyr Anthony of Apamea

Saint Anthony the Martyr was a stonemason from Syria. He, grieving for the pagans, urged them to abandon their sacrifices, but, receiving no response, withdrew to the desert. There he met the hermit Timothy and spent two years with him, strengthening himself in prayers. Returning to his city, he saw how the inhabitants were celebrating their demons, and, entering their temple, he shattered the idols. For this, he suffered torment and was expelled from the city. He then went to Apamea in Syria, where he persuaded the bishop to build a church in the name of the Holy Trinity. However, the inhabitants of his city plundered the temple at night, and the saint surrendered his spirit to God.