Zosimus the Hermit
Martyr
Commemorated January 4
The Holy martyr Zosimus the Hermit was an anchorite monk during the time of the persecution of emperor Diocletian in the late third century, who joined after his release from prison with the prison warden Athanasius to live out their lives together as hermits . St. Zosimus is commemorated on January 4 with St. Athanasius.
The monk Zosimus, who was from Cilicia, had been seized and subjected to fierce torture for his Faith. Athanasius, a prison warden, witnessed the torture of the Zosimus. Seeing him unharmed after the torture, Athanasius came to believe in Christ and was baptized .
When Zosimus was released, Athanasius joined with him and traveled into the wilderness. There, they found a crevice in a mountain in Cilicia that became their shelter, and where they lived as hermits until their deaths.
Troparion
Thy martyr, O Lord, Zosimus, through his suffering, an incorruptible crown did obtain from Thee, our God; for, rejoicing in Thy strength, he laid low his tormentors and did beat off impotent affronts of the demons also; at his intercessions save our souls.
Kontakion
Thou hast appeared as a bright star, uninviting for the world, but a sun announcing Christ with thy rays, O martyr Zosimus; all the enchantment hast thou extinguished and grantest unto us light, supplicating incessantly for us all.
Source: OrthodoxWiki
