In Nicomedia, during the persecutions of Christians, Saint Anikitas, a noble comit, confessed his faith before the emperor Diocletian. He boldly condemned idolatry and asserted that torments are not frightening for Christians. For this, he was cruelly tortured, but he continued to glorify Christ. Saint Anikitas was subjected to various tortures, including being tortured on the wheel and thrown into a cauldron of molten tin, yet remained unharmed thanks to Divine assistance.
The relative of the saint, Photios, also confessed his faith and was captured. Both martyrs endured numerous sufferings but felt no pain, as the Lord preserved them. Ultimately, they were thrown into a heated furnace, where, praying, they rested in the Lord. Their bodies, extracted from the fire, remained whole and unharmed, which led many pagans to believe in Christ.
Saints Anikitas and Photios suffered in 305 or 306 AD.
