Biography
Born to a wealthy, noble family and raised Christian. Well-educated, he became a professional public speaker and apologist; his explanations of Christianity brought many converts. Soldier. Deacon. Duke of Thessaly under emperor Maximian in 190. When he was found to be a Christian he was arrested and imprisoned in a bath-house during the persecutions of Diocletian. Martyr. His story was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Reported to have appeared during a battle in 586, centuries after his death, to help defend Thessalonika. Over 200 churches in the Balkans are known to have been dedicated to him. Born: 3rd century in Thessalonia Died: • run through with spears c.306 at Sirmium (in modern Serbia) • relics originally housed at Sirmium and Thessalonika where they were reported to exude holy oil • a bone relic reported to still be in a monastery on Mount Athos