Danax the Martyr

ON ST. DANAX THE MARTYR,

from the Greek Menaion.

Danax, Martyr in Illyricum (St.)

Stripped of the letter delta and of his head, Danax, Being slain, you appeared a heavenly King.

He was of Illyrian origin, from a place called Aulon, and was a Cleric of the holy Church of God which was there. Having received the sacred vessels in order to preserve them from the incursion of unbelievers, he was apprehended in a certain place by them and ordered to sacrifice to Bacchus. But when he could not be induced to do so, he was pierced by their swords and perished.

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The Greek reads thus:

Συναφαιρέτης τὸ δέλτα κάρα Δάναξ, Τμηθεὶς γὰρ ὤφθης οὐρανοκράτωρ ἄναξ.

But the first verse, for the meter to work, should apparently be restored thus: Συναφαιρέτης τὸ δέλτα καὶ τὸ κάρα Δάναξ. There is a play on words between Δάναξ and ἄναξ, the latter of which means King. Of this Martyr we have read nothing elsewhere, except that Maximus of Cythera also treats of him.