Astius of Dyrrachium
Hieromartyr
Commemorated June 4
Our father among the saints Hieromartyr Asitus of Dyrrachium succeeded St. Caesarius, who was the first Bishop of Dyrrhachium. Asitus was martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (98 to 117). His feast day is June 4 .
Saint Astius [Shën Asti] was the bishop of Dyrrhachium, the modern day city of Durres , Albania. During the reign of Roman emperor Trajan, he was arrested by Roman governor Agricola, beaten with leaden rods and oxhide whips and crucified, but he did not renounce Christ. They then covered his body in honey, and left him to be tortured by bees and hornets. Several other saints joined him as martyrs, as they were considered his sympathizers, being put in chains and thrown in the Adriatic Sea to drown.
Troparion
Having been a participant of the character and a successor of the apostles on the throne, thou, O God-inspired one, didst find work in coming into visions; whilst therefore rightly dividing the word of truth, for the sake of the faith didst thou suffer even unto the shedding of thy blood. O hieromartyr Astius, intercede before Christ the God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion
Having lived piously among hierarchs and having gone through the path of martyrdom, thou, O God-wise one, hast extinguished the sacrifices of idols and wast a protector unto thy flock. Wherefore, in honouring thee, in our hearts we cry out unto thee: Do ever deliver us from dangers through thine intercessions, O Astius, our father.
Source: OrthodoxWiki
