St. Polyeuctos, the Martyr of Meletine in Armenia

January 9: St. Polyeuctus

Saint Polyeuctus (Polyeuctes, Polyeuktos) of Melitene (died January 10, 255 or 259) was an ancient Roman saint. Christian tradition states that he was a wealthy Roman army officer who was martyred at Melitene, Armenia, under Valerian.

Moved by the zeal of his friend Saint Nearchus, Polyeuctus had openly converted to Christianity. "Enflamed with zeal, St Polyeuctus went to the city square, and tore up the edict of Decius which required everyone to worship idols. A few moments later, he met a procession carrying twelve idols through the streets of the city. He dashed the idols to the ground and trampled them underfoot."

He was tortured by the authorities and ignored the tears and protestations of his wife Paulina, his children, and his father-in-law Felix. He was beheaded.

He was buried at Melitene, and a church was dedicated to him there. The Church of St. Polyeuctus was dedicated to him at Constantinople in 524-527. At the time of Justinian's ascension to the throne, the basilica was the largest in Constantinople.

Polyektus is the patron saint of vows and treaty agreements.

References:
Polyeuctus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Church of St. Polyeuctus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.