Paphnutius the Hieromartyr
The Holy Hieromartyr Paphnutius
Hieromartyr · d. c. 303
Commemorated 19 April — Martyrdom by crucifixion
Paphnutius was a bishop (by tradition, of Jerusalem) and martyr who suffered in one of the persecutions of the early Church — most likely the Great Persecution of Diocletian — and was put to death by crucifixion. The synaxaria relate that many were converted through his confession and drawn to Christ by his steadfastness, and that after long torments he was nailed to a tree or cross. He is honoured as a hieromartyr on April 19.
The notices of Paphnutius the hieromartyr are brief and belong to the age of the pagan persecutions; the tradition makes him a bishop — some sources name the see of Jerusalem — and a fearless confessor of Christ. Arrested in a time of persecution (commonly placed under Diocletian, at the turn of the fourth century), he was pressed to sacrifice to the idols and refused, confessing Christ before the judge.
The account tells that his patience under interrogation and torture was so remarkable that many of the onlookers, and even some of his tormentors, were converted and confessed Christ with him, becoming themselves martyrs. Paphnutius endured grievous torments and, at the last, was crucified — nailed to a tree, after the manner of his Lord — and so gave up his soul, receiving the crown of the hieromartyrs. His relics were honoured by the faithful.
Feast and commemoration
April 19 (church date; Old Calendar civil May 2). He is honoured as a hieromartyr; his service is that of the common of a hieromartyr.
Hymns
Troparion — Tone 4 (common of a hieromartyr)
Having shared in the ways of the apostles and sat upon their thrones, thou didst find the path to divine contemplation, O inspired Paphnutius; and, contending for the faith even unto blood, thou didst enter into the joy of thy Lord. Entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Original translation from the Greek
Iconography
Paphnutius is painted as a bishop-martyr in the phelonion and omophorion, holding the Gospel and the cross of witness; the manner of his death (crucifixion on a tree) may be shown. No pre-1900 icon of him has been identified for this collection.
Disputed questions
- Which Paphnutius, and which see. Several saints bear the name Paphnutius (the great confessor-bishop of the Thebaid at Nicaea; Paphnutius the ascetic; the hieromartyr with 546 companions). The April 19 hieromartyr is distinct from these; the attribution of the see of Jerusalem rests on part of the tradition and is noted here rather than asserted. The circumstances (crucifixion, mass conversion of the bystanders) are those the synaxarion gives for this day.