Amphian (Aphian, or Appianus), St

Amphian (Aphian, Or Appianus), St.

martyred at Caesarea, in Palestine, was born in Lycia, in Asia Minor. His parents, who were idolaters, sent him to Berytus, in Phoenicia, to be educated; and upon his return home, in 304, he tried in vain to convert them; whereupon he forsook his home and, leaving himself to the guidance of God, came eventually to Caesarea, in Palestine. Here, although not yet twenty years of age, he had the boldness to seize the hand of the governor Urban, as he was about to offer sacrifice to an idol, and expostulated with him. Upon this he was thrown into prison, cruelly tormented, burned, and thrown into the sea. This happened in 306, on April 2, according to Eusebius, on which day the Greeks commemorate him (Eusebius, De Mart. Palest. c. 4).