Commemorated September 19 (New Calendar) October 2 (Old Calendar)

The Latin Church keeps him on September 19.

Saint Trophimus came from another country into Antioch in the reign of the emperor Probus, when Atticus, also called Heliodorus, governed the city. He would not keep the feast of Apollo of Daphne. After Sabbatius died under torment, Trophimus was sent in nailed iron shoes to Synnada in Phrygia, to the judge Dionysius. He refused to sacrifice. Beasts would not take him. He was beheaded.

The words of Saint Trophimus

“O God, Who made the whole world from nothing by Thy word alone, and made man in Thine image! Look down from heaven and pluck these people from the adversary’s hands.” (With Sabbatius, when they saw Antioch keep Apollo’s feast.)

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“My name is Trophimus. I was born of free and noble parents, but, having fallen under the power of sin, I first lived ungodly, until through holy baptism I received true freedom and nobility.” (When Atticus asked his name, life, and faith.)

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“I have already told thee, but hear me: I will say it more clearly. I am a Christian, a servant of Christ, and I desire to be a sacrifice to Christ.” (When the judge asked his faith.)

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“I have read them. But what are they to us? Between piety and demonic deceit there is the same difference as between day and night.” (When asked if he had read the imperial edicts against Christians.)

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“It is nothing to me whether I am killed by thee or by another, whether thou torment me or Dionysius: death will be only one, for you both have one intent: to kill those who serve the true God.” (When Atticus threatened to send him to Dionysius in Phrygia.)

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“Lord, help Thy servant!” (When they hung him and planed his body.)

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“My Christ is with all who call upon Him. He is not parted from me. The clear sign of Christ’s presence with me is this: I bear easily torments that human nature could not bear if God Himself did not help the sufferers.” (When the judge asked where his Christ was.)

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“I am Trophimus, and a servant of the true God; those who believe in Him shall never be put to shame.” (When Dionysius asked if he were Trophimus.)

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“I will never deny my God, the true and living God.” (When Dionysius said his hope was vain.)

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“Thou art only strengthening my body now, that it may not rot from the wounds thou dealest.” (When they poured vinegar and salt on his wounds.)

The words of others in the reading

“My rank, my dignity and fatherland, my glory and my wealth, is Christ the Son of God, Who is eternally. By His providence the universe is established and governed.” (Sabbatius, when Atticus asked his rank and would not hear the name Christian.)

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“I am a Christian, and therefore I ought not to go to demonic festivals.” (Dorymedon, to the messengers sent to fetch him to the feast of Castor and Pollux.)

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“He who loves the true God counts worldly honor and glory as nothing. What use is it to exalt oneself over others, to dress in costly clothes, and to bow to idols? All this is temporary and vain. All this parts a man from God and casts him into the fiery gehenna.” (Dorymedon, when Dionysius asked why he had left the gods.)

Who stood with him

Sabbatius came with him from another country and died first, in Antioch. Atticus-Heliodorus judged them there. Dionysius judged him in Synnada. Soldiers walked him three days in the nailed shoes while they rode. Dorymedon, senator and first counselor of Synnada, came secretly to the prison, washed the blood, and bound the wounds. He was beheaded with Trophimus. The reading keeps no names for Trophimus’s parents, and no burial place.

He was sent on after his companion had already gone, and he did not turn back.

We ask his prayers when the road is made to wound, and when a man is told to keep a feast he cannot keep.

Pray for us

Troparion, Tone 8 God praised in Trinity has glorified a trinity of martyrs: Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon. By their faith, they overthrew the adversary. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Kontakion, Tone 8 As the foundation of athletes and the confirmation of piety, the Church honors and glorifies your brilliant suffering, wise and glorious Trophimus, ever-praised and blessed athlete. Together with your fellow sufferers, ask cleansing for those who hymn you, for you are invincible.

Saint Trophimus, pray for us.

Sources

St. Demetrius of Rostov, Lives of the Saints, September 19. https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Dmitrij_Rostovskij/zhitija-svjatykh/801

Orthodox Church in America, Martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon of Synnada. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/09/19/102664-martyrs-trophimus-sabbatius-and-dorymedon-of-synnada

Orthodox Encyclopedia, Dorymedon, martyr (see Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon, martyrs). https://www.pravenc.ru/text/180229.html

Orthodox Encyclopedia, Sabbatius, martyr (see the same article). https://pravenc.ru/text/2663408.html

Orthodox Encyclopedia, calendar, 2 October (19 September). https://www.pravenc.ru/calendar/2024/10/02.html

Also in the Latin books

Catholic Encyclopedia, Synnada (St. Trophimus, 19 September). https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14387a.htm

Acta Sanctorum, September, tomus VI, p. 9 ff.

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Updated 09/19/2026