Leonidas of Trizina

Icon of St. Leonides of Trizina with the martyrs Theodora, Niki, Vasilissa, Charissa, Kallis, Nounechia and Galini.

Leonidas of Trizina or Leonides of Trizina ( modern Greek Άγιος Λεωνίδης ο Τροιζήνιος ) is a saint and was a monk or priest of Trizina . He was probably born in the second half of the 2nd century and suffered his martyrdom between 240 and 258. The holiday of Leonidas and his seven companions Charissi, Niki, Galini, Kallida, Nounechia, Vasilissa and Theodora is April 16. The names of the companions are given differently, so the names appear: Charisio, Lota, Galla, Callisto, Christiana, Calis and Tertia.

martyrdom

Leonidas worked in the diocese of Trizina, which was between Damala in the south, Ano Fanari in the west and Nea Epidavros in the north. When he celebrated Easter in 250, he and seven companions were arrested at the instigation of the Roman proconsul Venousto and taken to Corinth . Since he did not renounce Christianity, he was hanged and beaten with a sharp knife. Since he did not die, he and his seven companions were thrown into the sea to drown. Leonidas said he would now receive a second baptism. Instead of drowning, they ran across the water as if it were solid land. They were then tied heavy stones around their necks, took them to the open sea in a boat and threw them into the water. A few days later their bodies were washed ashore in Lechaion and the Christians of Corinth buried them on the coast. In the 5th century, the Lechaion Basilica was built in honor of Leonidas . The church's baptistery is believed to have been built over the tombs of the martyrs.

Over the centuries he merged with Leonidas of Athens and this was now venerated as a martyr of Corinth.

Evangelistrias Church in Nea Epidavros: This is where the bones of the saints are kept.

Finding the bones of the martyrs

In 1916 a resident of Nea Epidavros dreamed that there was a hidden treasure in the ruins of the Church of Panagia . So he went there with other residents, and they found an icon of Panagia. They believed the icon was the promised treasure and stopped looking. As the dreams of the hidden treasure continued, they continued their search and found the bones of seven women at a depth of 70 cm. Underneath was a sarcophagus with the bones of a man. It was assumed that these were the bones of Leonidas of Trizina and his companions and they were brought to the Church of Evangelistrias, where they are still located today. Once a year, on April 16, the bones of the martyrs are brought in a solemn procession to the Agios Leonidas Church 500 m to the east, which is right next to the road to Corinth.

Web links

Commons : Leonidas von Trizina  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Newly Revealed Martyrs Leonidas and his Seven Companions
• St. Leonidas and the Seven Virgins, Martyrs, April 16
• Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΛΕΩΝΙΔΗΣ ο Τροιζήνιος

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Acta Sanctorum , Volume Aprilis II. , Antwerp 1675, pp. 402–404 ( online )