Saint Artemius of Cuzicos | Gold and Silver foiled icon lithography mounted on wood | Size: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

The city of Cyzicus is located in Asia Minor on the shore of the Dardanelles Strait. Christianity began to spread in it since the time of the preaching of the Holy Apostle Paul (commemoration of June 29). But the persecution of the pagans led to the fact that some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept the faith of Christ in secret. Therefore, at the end of the third century, Kizik was largely pagan, although there was a Christian church there. This situation in the city upset true Christians who sought to establish the faith of Christ. 9 holy martyrs also belonged to them – Theognides, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichus, Artyom, Magnus, Theodotus, Faumasius and Philemon. They came from different localities, were of different ages: both young, like Saint Antipater, and elderly, like Saint Rufus; they occupied different positions in society: among them were soldiers, villagers, townspeople, and clerics. But they were all united by faith in Christ and a fervent desire to spread and strengthen the true faith.