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

The Latin Church keeps him on September 19.

Saint Dorymedon was senator and first counselor of Synnada in Phrygia. He was a Christian and hid it, fearing Dionysius. After Trophimus was brought there in nailed iron shoes, Dorymedon came secretly to the prison, washed the blood, and bound the wounds. When the city kept the feast of Castor and Pollux, he would not go. Dionysius had him fetched. Beasts would not take him. He was beheaded with Trophimus.

The words of Saint Dorymedon

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

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“Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity.” (To the friends Dionysius sent to turn him back to the gods.)

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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.” (When Dionysius asked why he had left the gods and the honor of his place.)

The words of others in the reading

“Deluded man! What happened to thee yesterday, that thou didst depart from the gods and refuse the emperor’s commands? Did it cease to please thee to be honored by all, and to hold among us no last place?” (Dionysius, the next day in court.)

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“I will see whether Christ will come to help thee.” (Dionysius, when Dorymedon was hung and his sides burned with heated irons.)

Who stood with him

Trophimus was already in the prison when Dorymedon first came. Sabbatius had died earlier, in Antioch, under Atticus-Heliodorus. Dionysius judged him in Synnada. A she-bear, a pard, and a lion were loosed on him and Trophimus; he took the she-bear by the ear. The reading keeps no names for his parents, and no burial place.

He had kept his rank until the feast required him to show it.

We ask his prayers when a hidden faith is called out into the street.

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 Dorymedon, 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

Roman Martyrology, September 19.

Catholic Encyclopedia, Synnada. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14387a.htm

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

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Updated 9/19/2026