Sergios and Vakchos

Holy Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus.

Saints Sergius and Bacchus were high-ranking officers in the Roman army at the end of the third century, secretly Christians and beloved of the emperor. When their faith was discovered they refused to sacrifice to the idols; stripped of their rank, they were paraded in mockery and cruelly tortured. Bacchus died under the blows, and Sergius was afterward beheaded in Syria.

The city of Resafa, where Sergius suffered, became a great center of pilgrimage bearing his name. The two friends and fellow soldiers of Christ are commemorated together on October 7.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Sergios and Vakchos is commemorated on October 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 20 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Sergios, Sergey, Serge, Sergio, Sergius

Also commemorated on October 7

• Polychronios the Hieromartyr

  Hierarch, Πολυχρόνιος

  Holy Hieromartyr Polychronios the Presbyter, slain by the Arians at the altar.

  Name days: Polychronios, Polychronis, Polichronis, Chronis, Polychronia

• John the Hermit and the 98 Fathers of Crete

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο Ερημίτης

  Venerable John the Hermit and the ninety-eight God-bearing Fathers who lived in asceticism with him in Crete.

• Julian and Caesarius of Terracina

  Martyr, Ιουλιανός και Καισάριος

  Holy Martyrs Julian the Presbyter and Caesarius the Deacon, who suffered at Terracina in Italy.

• Leontios the Hypatikos

  Martyr, Λεόντιος ο Υπατικός

  Holy Martyr Leontios the Consul, who gave up his soul in confession of Christ.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.