John the New of Trebizond, Great Martyr

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

Saint John was a pious merchant of Trebizond who, while travelling by sea in the fourteenth century, was denounced as a Christian at the port of Asprokastro on the Black Sea. Refusing to deny Christ, he was tortured and dragged through the streets until he died.

His relics were later brought to Suceava in Moldavia, where he is greatly venerated as the protector of that land. The Greek synaxaria also commemorate him on 12 June.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, John the New of Trebizond, Great Martyr 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

• Constantine the New Martyr, former Hagarene

  Martyr, Κωνσταντίνος ο εξ Αγαρηνών

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

• 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.