The 150 Rhetors

The 150 philosophers and rhetors converted by Saint Catherine and martyred by fire.

Tradition relates that the emperor Maxentius summoned the most learned philosophers of the empire to dispute with Saint Catherine. Defeated by her wisdom, they confessed Christ.

They were burned alive by order of the emperor and are commemorated with the Great Martyr.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, The 150 Rhetors is commemorated on November 25. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on December 8 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on November 25

• 

  Catherine the Great Martyr

  Martyr, Αικατερίνη η Μεγαλομάρτυς

  Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria.

  Name days: Aikaterini, Katerina, Katia, Katina, Kate, Cathy, Cat, Katherine, Kathryn, Catherine, Ekaterini, Kaiti, Katie, Kathy

• Mercurius the Great Martyr

  Martyr, Μερκούριος ο Μεγαλομάρτυς

  Holy Great Martyr Mercurius of Caesarea in Cappadocia, the soldier martyred under Decius.

  Name days: Merkourios, Mercurius, Mercurios, Merkouris

• Peter the Hesychast

  Venerable, Πέτρος ο Ησυχαστής

  Venerable Peter the Hesychast of Galatia, who lived as an ascetic from childhood.

• Augusta the Empress

  Holy Woman, Βασίλισσα Αυγούστα

  Holy Martyr Augusta the Empress, converted by Saint Catherine.

• Porphyrios the General

  Martyr, Πορφύριος ο Στρατηλάτης

  Holy Martyr Porphyrios the General and the 200 soldiers martyred with him.