June 20. Hieromartyr Mefodiy, Bishop of Patara.
The Holy Hieromartyr Mefodiy, Bishop of Patara (4); the Holy Martyrs Aristokliy the Presbyter, Dimitrian the Deacon, and Afanasiy the Reader; the Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna, and Rimma; Saint Gleb, Right-believing Prince of Bogolyubsk; Saint Levkiy the Confessor, Bishop of Vruntipol.
The Holy Hieromartyr Mefodiy, Bishop of Patara
Mefodiy, bishop of Patara (in the region of Lycia, Asia Minor), was distinguished by genuine monastic humility. Quietly and meekly he instructed his flock, yet at the same time firmly defended the purity of Orthodoxy and energetically struggled against heresies, especially the widely spread Origenist heresy. He left behind a rich literary heritage: works defending Christianity against paganism, expositions of Orthodox dogmas against the heresy of Origen, moral teachings, and commentaries on Holy Scripture.
Saint Mefodiy was seized by pagans, and with steadfastness confessed his faith in Christ the Savior before them. In the year 312 he was condemned to death by beheading.