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

The Latin Church keeps him on September 19.

Saint Sabbatius came with Trophimus from another country into Antioch in the reign of the emperor Probus, when Atticus, also called Heliodorus, governed the city. They would not keep the feast of Apollo of Daphne. The judge first heard Trophimus, then Sabbatius. He would not hear the name Christian. Sabbatius was hung and planed with iron claws until the flesh fell from the bones. He died in Antioch. Trophimus was sent on to Synnada.

The words of Saint Sabbatius

“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 Trophimus, when they saw Antioch keep Apollo’s feast.)

—

“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.” (When Atticus asked his rank and would not hear the name Christian.)

The reading says he then mocked the gods and rebuked their ungodliness. It does not keep those words.

The words of others in the reading

“I do not ask thee whether thou art a Christian. First say: of what rank art thou?” (Atticus, when Sabbatius was brought after Trophimus.)

—

“Answer what thou art asked, and before I destroy thee by torments, go to the gods and offer them sacrifice.” (Atticus, after striking him on the cheek.)

—

“I am a Christian, a servant of Christ, and I desire to be a sacrifice to Christ.” (Trophimus, earlier that day, when the same judge asked his faith.)

Who stood with him

Trophimus came with him and was sent, after Sabbatius died, in nailed iron shoes to Dionysius at Synnada. Dorymedon, senator of Synnada, later washed Trophimus’s wounds and was beheaded with him. Atticus-Heliodorus judged Sabbatius in Antioch. The reading keeps no names for his parents, and no burial place.

He answered for his rank, and then the reading ends for him.

We ask his prayers when a man is told not to say the name he lives by.

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 Sabbatius, 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, Sabbatius, martyr (see Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon, martyrs). https://pravenc.ru/text/2663408.html

Orthodox Encyclopedia, Dorymedon, martyr (see the same article). https://www.pravenc.ru/text/180229.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. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14387a.htm

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

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Updated 9/19/2026