Acta Sanctorum

Theopompus

3 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
SS. Theopemptus, a bishop, and Theonas, a magician whom he converted, martyred under Diocletian around 284. Theopemptus was cast into a furnace, had an eye torn out, and drank a lethal poison without harm; the miracle converted Theonas. Theopemptus was beheaded and Theonas buried alive. 3rd century

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS THEOPEMPTUS, BISHOP, AND THEONAS.

c. A.D. 284.

Commentary

Theopemptus, Bishop and Martyr (St.) Theonas, Martyr (St.)

[1] The Roman Martyrology joins these with Zosimus and Athanasius, and records them on January 3rd; Galesius and Ferrarius on the 4th; Molanus on the 5th, as also the Menaea, in which their contest is commemorated thus:

[2] The holy hieromartyr Theopemptus, Bishop, endured the first storm of the persecution stirred up by the Emperor Diocletian, and because he fearlessly confessed Christ as God, St. Theopemptus was cast into fire, blinded, given poison harmlessly; he was granted the crown of martyrdom. For having been captured and dragged before the Emperor, since he reproached him for his error, he was cast into a burning furnace, and emerged from it unharmed. Then one of his eyes was torn out. Afterwards he drank a lethal poison, whose power was, however, divinely extinguished so that he suffered no harm. When the magician Theonas, who had mixed the poison for him, saw this, He converts Theonas the magician he embraced the faith of Christ.

[3] But Theopemptus, having been afflicted with other tortures and punishments as well, was finally struck with the sword and killed. Both are slain for Christ. Theonas was lowered into a pit that had been dug, and was crushed by earth thrown in upon him; and so he departed as a victor to Christ.

[4] The same Menaea for January 2nd have this: SS. Theopemptus and Theodote, who was the mother of the holy physicians who cured the sick without payment, namely Cosmas and Damian. Our Raderus considers this Theopemptus to be the same one who is venerated on January 3rd, but I see no sure foundation for his conjecture. We have recorded Theodote in that place.