The holy martyr Paphnutius was from Egypt and asceticized in the desert. During the persecution of Christians under Diocletian, the governor Arian ordered the holy Paphnutius to be brought to him. The ascetic himself appeared before the governor, confessed his faith in Christ, and was subjected to torture. Two soldiers, Dionysius and Callimachus, who were torturing him, seeing the power of God, believed in Christ and were beheaded. Thrown into prison, Saint Paphnutius converted 40 prisoners to the faith, who were burned. Later, he was freed and accepted by the Christian Nestor, who with his family also met a martyr's end. The saint strengthened many Christians in the confession of faith, and all of them accepted a martyr's death: some were cut down by swords, others burned; in total, 546 people. Saint Paphnutius was thrown into the river with a stone around his neck, but he miraculously swam to the shore. Finally, he was sent to Emperor Diocletian, who ordered him to be crucified on a palm tree.
