Saint Peter lived during the time of the persecutions against Christians. When he was brought before the governor, he boldly confessed his faith and refused to offer sacrifice to the goddess Aphrodite. For this, he was subjected to cruel tortures, yet he remained steadfast in his faith, praying to the Lord and placing his hope in the salvation of his soul. In the end, the governor ordered that he be beheaded.
Around the same time, Dionysus, together with the Christians Andrew and Paul, was arrested and imprisoned. Nicomachus, who had also declared his faith in Christ, was fiercely tortured. In fear and despair, he renounced the Lord and offered sacrifice to the idols. Soon after, he was seized by evil spirits and died a miserable death.
The virgin Christina, witnessing Nicomachus’s suffering, mourned his weakness and courageously confessed her own faith in Christ. The governor ordered that she be arrested. The saint, strengthened by divine grace and aided by her guardian angel, remained pure and radiant with heavenly light.
The holy martyrs Dionysus, Andrew, and Paul were handed over to the enraged crowd, who beat them to death. Saint Christina, standing firm and supporting them with her prayers, was also beheaded. All of them received the crown of martyrdom for their faith in Christ during the reign of Emperor Decius.
The holy martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus preached the Gospel in Athens. They were arrested and cruelly tortured. Finally, they were cast into fire, where they gave up their souls to God and inherited the Kingdom of Heaven.
