The holy martyrs Prokess and Martinian were pagans and overseers in the Mamertine prison in Rome. They believed in Christ after witnessing the miracles performed by the Apostles Peter and Paul, and were baptized along with 47 prisoners. After this, they released the Apostles, but the chief, Pavlin, upon learning of their Christianity, began to torture them. The saints bravely endured their sufferings, encouraged by a Roman woman named Lucina. Pavlin, punished for his wicked deeds, lost an eye and soon died. The son of Pavlin secured the execution of the saints, and their bodies were buried by Lucina with honors.
On the same day, we commemorate the venerable Faramufius, who lived in the 4th century in the same desert where the venerable John labored.
