Chrysanthus

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyr Chrysanthus (or Chrysanthos) is a hieromartyr who was killed around AD 283. He is commemorated on March 19 along with his wife St. Daria.
== Life ==
Chrysanthus was the only child of an Alexandrian nobleman living in Rome. He was given the best education one could get at that time, and, after reading pagan books which spoke of Christianity, he decided to learn about the new religion himself. He was given a copy of the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. He quickly finished them and converted to Christianity. His father, upon learning of his son's conversion, tried to tempt Chrysanthus with several prostitutes. Chrysanthus chased them all off and maintained his chastity. His father, in exasperation, finally arranged for him a marriage to a virgin-priestess of Athena, named Daria. Chrysanthus agreed to the marriage but told Daria that he intended on living in chastity. Daria also wished to continue her virginal status and was converted to Christianity on their wedding day. The Emperor Numerian, feeling threatened by the large number of people that Daria and Chrysanthus converted, decided to have Chrysanthus tortured. Both Chrysanthus and Daria were martyred by being put in a large earthen pit, which was then covered by stones, slowly crushing them to death, in the year AD 283.
==Hymns==
Troparion (Tone 1)
:Let us honor the like-minded pair of martyrs
:Chrysánthus, scion of purity, and supremely modest Daria.
:United in holiness of faith,
:They shone forth as communicants of God the Word.
:They fought lawfully for Him and now save those who sing:
:"Glory to Him who has strengthened you!
:Glory to Him who has crowned you!
:Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!"
Kontakion (Tone 1)
:In the sweet fragrance of holiness, O Chrysánthus,
:you drew Daria to saving knowledge.
:Together in contest you routed the serpent,
:The author of all evil,
:And were worthily taken up to the heavenly realms.
== Source ==
*Lives of Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria
==External links==
*Martyr Chrysanthus and those with him at Rome (OCA)
*Chrysanthos & Daria the Martyrs (GOARCH)
Category:Martyrs
Category:Saints