Saint Martinian withdrew to the desert near the city of Caesarea in Palestine at the age of 18, where he spent 25 years in asceticism and silence, being granted the gift of healing diseases. He faced temptations, including from a harlot who, after being seduced by him, repented and began to live in the monastery of Saint Paula in Bethlehem.
After being healed from burns, the saint retreated to an uninhabited island, where he lived under the open sky, feeding on the food brought to him by a shipman. One day, during a storm, a maiden named Photinia arrived on the island, whom the saint saved. He left her with bread and water, while he continued his life as a wanderer.
Two years later, the saint fell ill in Athens and, sensing his impending death, asked the bishop for burial. This occurred around the year 422. Photinia remained on the island, where she spent 6 years in solitude before departing to the Lord. The shipman, who brought them food, buried her in Caesarea of Palestine with honor. The memory of the venerable Zoe and Photinia is celebrated on the same day.
