Saint Roman the Holy Martyr was born in Karpenisi to a family of simple and pious parents. Lacking education, he did not know the dogmas of faith, but upon hearing about the Holy Sepulchre, he set out for Jerusalem. After venerating the holy sites, he came to the Lavra of Saint Savva the Sanctified, where, hearing about the martyrdoms of the saints, he desired to become a martyr himself. The Patriarch restrained him from this, but Roman, unable to suppress his desire, went to Thessalonica, where he confessed Christ before the judges and underwent severe tortures. The judge sentenced him to death, but the captain of the galley, wishing to use him as a rower, bought him. Roman was freed by Christians and went to Mount Athos, where he became a disciple of the Venerable Akakios.
Despite his spiritual feats, Roman continued to strive for martyrdom. After praying with Akakios, he went to Constantinople, where, tying a dog to his belt, he provoked the wrath of the Saracens. He was captured and tortured, but he remained faithful to Christ. The vizier sentenced him to death, and Roman was executed. His relics, after his head was severed, emitted light, which amazed the Christians and put the Saracens to shame. Saint Roman suffered in 1694.
