The Orthodox Church commemorates today Holy Martyrs Anicetus and Photius. They are two glorious martyrs of the Orthodox Church, who were natives and spiritually-minded “brothers” and remained steadfast in their faith in Christ.
Photius was Anicetus’ nephew. They lived during a period of persecution under Emperor Diocletian. One day they heard that the cruel emperor was profane and was threatening to fiercely torture Christians.
Then, Anicetus decided to despise his threats and courageously confessed his faith in the Trinity. He was arrested and they had him whipped. They then condemned him to be devoured by a lion, but the lion fawned at his feet and licked the sweat off his feet, which was rolling down his body. The emperor was outraged, and, therefore, ordered to torture him and to behead him.
But there was a miracle: Photius, his nephew, was courageous enough to confess his faith in Saviour Christ. He wanted to support his brave uncle and, thus, he also received the wreath of martyrdom by remaining steadfast in his faith in the Saviour Christ.
“United in the Faith, your nearness of kinship/ was made radiant by your divine struggles,/ O blessed Martyr Anicetus and Photius servant of Light./ Pray that those who hymn your holy contest/ may be granted the forgiveness of their sins.
Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God,/ and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they were capable,/ that when they should see Thee crucified,/ they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary/ and might proclaim to the world/ that Thou art indeed the reflection of the Father.
When godly Photius saw thee contesting in the stadium,/ O Athlete Anicetus,/ he joined thee in the struggle and victoriously suffered all the torments./ Together with him intercede with Christ our God/ that He deliver us from all dangers.”
Source: Church of Cyprus