Bishop
Saint Hypatius was the bishop of Gangra in Paphlagonia. He was one of the 318 holy fathers who participated in the I Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, where he exposed Arius for his heretical teachings. He possessed the gift of miracle-working, healing diseases and casting out demons. The saint transformed a bitter spring into sweet water and, through prayer, he opened a new one of warm water with healing properties.
During the reign of Emperor Constantius, a large serpent came to the royal palace, guarding the treasury. Saint Hypatius, calling upon the Lord for help, expelled the serpent, commanding it to enter a fiery furnace, where it got burned. The king honored God and the saint, who had since become a fatherly figure to him.
Those who hated the saint set a trap for him and killed him, casting his body into a swamp. Before his death, he prayed for his murderers, who shortly afterwards faced God's punishment. The saint’s body was found and buried with honor by the inhabitants of Gangra. One of his murderers, when brought before the holy relic, confessed his sin and was healed of demonic possession. At the saint’s grave many miracles were performed for those who came in faith seeking help.
