Martyr 3rd century

Martyrs Nestor Tribimius, Marcellus, and Anthony of Perge

3rd century (died c. 249–251)

Also known as Nestor · Tribimius · Marcellus · Anthony

Christian preachers at Perge in Pamphylia who fearlessly proclaimed Christ and were put to death during the persecution under the emperor Decius.

Feast Day

March 1

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Life

Nestor, Tribimius, Marcellus, and Anthony were Christians of Perge in Pamphylia, a region of southern Asia Minor near the Mediterranean coast, who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of the emperor Decius (reigned 249–251).

As Christians, the four fearlessly preached Christ throughout their region. Denounced to the local governor by pagans, they were arrested, subjected to severe tortures, and ultimately beheaded for refusing to renounce their faith.

They are commemorated together in the Orthodox calendar on March 1. In some accounts the saint Nestor is also given as Nestorianus.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

249–251 Reign of Decius The four lived under the emperor Decius, whose edict requiring sacrifice to the Roman gods inaugurated the first empire-wide persecution of Christians.
c. 249–251 Preaching at Perge As Christians at Perge in Pamphylia, Nestor, Tribimius, Marcellus, and Anthony fearlessly preached Christ throughout their region.
c. 249–251 Denunciation and arrest Pagans denounced them to the regional governor, who dispatched soldiers to arrest them and bring them for judgment.
c. 249–251 Torture and beheading Refusing to renounce Christ, they were beaten with ox sinews, suspended from a tree and flayed, and finally beheaded by the sword.

Contributions & Legacy

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Historical Context

Perge (Pergē) was a major city of ancient Pamphylia in southern Asia Minor. It had a long Christian heritage: according to the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul visited Perge during his first missionary journey, and under Constantine the Great the city became an important centre of Christianity. The four martyrs lived and preached there well before that imperial recognition, during a period of hostility toward the Church.

The Decian persecution (249–251) was the first organized, empire-wide persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Decius issued an edict requiring all inhabitants to perform sacrifices for the safety of the empire by a fixed date; those who complied received a certificate (libellus), while those who refused faced torture and execution. The persecution lasted roughly eighteen months and was effectively ended after Decius died in battle in 251. Among its prominent victims was Pope Fabian, killed in 250.

Arrest and Martyrdom

Local pagans reported the four preachers to the regional governor, who sent soldiers to seize them and bring them for judgment. When they were brought before him, the governor attempted to intimidate them by displaying the instruments of torture.

Undeterred, the martyrs continued to glorify God and, according to the account, proclaimed the words 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ.' The governor then ordered escalating tortures: they were stripped and beaten with dry ox sinews, then suspended from a tree and flayed.

Finally persuaded that their faith could not be broken, the governor commanded that they be taken down from the tree. After offering thanksgiving to God, they were beheaded. The Orthodox tradition records their death by the sword during the years 249–251.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints