Constantine the New Martyr, former Hagarene

New Martyr Constantine of Mytilene, a convert from Islam who confessed Christ and was hanged in Constantinople.

Saint Constantine was born a Muslim in Mytilene on the island of Lesbos and, tradition relates, was drawn to Christianity after being healed at a church of the Theotokos. He was baptised on Mount Athos and lived for a time as a monk.

Burning with desire to confess his faith publicly, he returned to Constantinople, where he was imprisoned, tortured and finally hanged in 1819. He is numbered among the New Martyrs of the Turkish period.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Constantine the New Martyr, former Hagarene is commemorated on June 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 15 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on June 2

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  Nikephoros of Constantinople

  Hierarch, Νικηφόρος

  Patriarch of Constantinople, defender of icons.

  Name days: Nikiforos, Nicephorus

• John the New of Trebizond, Great Martyr

  Martyr, Ιωάννης ο Νέος ο Τραπεζούντιος

  Great Martyr John the New of Trebizond, a merchant martyred at Asprokastro (Cetatea Alba) and later enshrined at Suceava.

• Demetrios of Philadelphia, New Martyr

  Martyr, Δημήτριος ο Φιλαδελφεύς

  New Martyr Demetrios of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, beheaded for Christ in the seventeenth century.

• Erasmus of Ochrid

  Hierarch, Έρασμος ο Ιερομάρτυρας

  Hieromartyr Erasmus, bishop and preacher who enlightened the region of Ochrid and suffered under Diocletian.

  Name days: Erasmos, Erasmus

• Pothinus and the Martyrs of Lyons

  Hierarch, Ποθεινός και οι εν Λουγδούνω Μάρτυρες

  Hieromartyr Pothinus, Bishop of Lyons, with Blandina, Sanctus, Alcibiades, Vettius Epagathus and the other martyrs of Lyons under Marcus Aurelius.

• Marcellinus and Peter of Rome

  Martyr, Μαρκελλίνος και Πέτρος

  Holy Martyrs Marcellinus the priest and Peter the exorcist, beheaded at Rome under Diocletian.