Saint Mamas was born in Paphlagonia. His father, Theodotos, and his mother, Rufina, were devout people, filled with love for Jesus Christ. They openly confessed their faith and endured terrible tortures for it. Theodotos, praying, asked the Lord to grant him the strength to endure his sufferings. Thus, he never renounced Christ until the day of his death. Rufina, while imprisoned, gave birth to their son and then died. The child was raised by a pious woman, Ammia Matrona, who took him in and cared for him as her own.
From a young age, Saint Mamas taught his peers about faith in the true God. Because of his stance, he was persecuted, arrested, and brought before the emperor. The saint courageously confessed his love for Christ, refusing to worship the idols. He was then subjected to dreadful tortures, until he was condemned to death and thrown to the wild beasts. Yet, by a miracle, they became gentle and moved around him with reverence.
In the end, he was executed with a trident that pierced his body.
His holy relics were buried at the place of his martyrdom, where numerous miracles took place.
