Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia

Urpasianus was a dignitary of the imperial court at Nicomedia in Asia Minor who was martyred during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius. According to the synaxarion, Galerius persecuted those Christians who served in his army and household, and when many of them began to waver and offer worship to the pagan gods, Urpasianus openly confessed Christ. He is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on March 9.

The tradition relates that Urpasianus renounced his position by casting off his cloak and belt, the insignia of his office, and declaring himself a soldier no longer of the earthly emperor but of Christ. He is recorded as saying, 'Henceforth I am a warrior of the Heavenly King, the Lord Jesus Christ,' and asking that the insignia given to him be taken back. For this confession he was condemned and put to death.

His martyrdom is described as a series of escalating tortures: he was first tied to a tree and scourged, then bound to an iron grate over which a fire was kindled. The account states that he endured the suffering with continual prayer and was burned alive, after which his ashes were scattered into the sea. He is venerated as a martyr; his sufferings are placed under Galerius around the year 305.