Saint Martinian, who lived in the desert near the city of Caesarea of Palestine from the age of 18, spent 25 years in asceticism and silence, being granted the gift of healing diseases. The enemy did not leave him, bringing various temptations. One day, a harlot, tempting him, came to him in the guise of a traveler. The saint, having received her, went out of his cell and stood barefoot on burning coals, saying to himself about the eternal fire prepared by the devil. The woman, seeing this, repented and went to Bethlehem, where she spent 12 years in strict asceticism until her blessed end. Her name was Zoe.
Having healed from the burns, the saint withdrew to an uninhabited rocky island, where he lived under the open sky, feeding on the food brought to him by a shipman. One day, during a strong storm, a ship was wrecked, and a maiden named Photinia found herself on the island. The saint helped her to escape to the island and, leaving her with bread and water, threw himself into the sea, where he was carried to shore by dolphins. Thus, he lived as a wanderer for two years. Arriving in Athens, the saint fell ill and, feeling the approach of death, called for the bishop and asked for burial. This occurred around the year 422.
Blessed Photinia remained on the island, where she spent 6 years in solitude, after which she gave her soul to God. Her death was revealed by the same shipman who brought her food. He transported her body to Caesarea of Palestine, where it was buried with honor by the bishop and clergy. The memory of the venerable Zoe and Photinia is celebrated on the same day.
