Nicander and Marcian, as it appears from the circumstances of their acts, suffered under Dioclesian and were probably martyred at Moesia in Illyricum, the area of contemporary Roumania and Bulgaria, although some modern scholars place their death at Venafro, Naples. They had served some time in the Roman troops and left the army when decrees were universally published against Christians. They were impeached by Governor Maximus for deserting the army and commanded them to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Nicander replied, that the order could not regard Christians, who looked upon it as unlawful to abandon the immortal God, to adore wood and stones. Daria, the wife of Nicander, was present too, and encouraged her husband.
An infuriated Maximus asked her, “Wicked woman, why would you have your husband die?”
Daria responded: “I do not wish for his death, but that he live in God, so as to never die.”
Maximus goaded her that she desired his death, so that she could marry another.
“If you suspect that,” said she, “put me to death first.”
The judge said his orders did not extend to women; the first order applies only to those in the armed services. Nevertheless, he commanded that she be taken into custody. Later she was released and returned to see the judgment of the trial.
Maximus asked Nicander to decide whether he would choose life or death, to which he answered: “I have already deliberated upon the matter, and have decided to save myself.”
The judge, misunderstood that Nicander intended to save his life by sacrificing to the idols and began to congratulate and rejoice with Suetonius, one of his assessors, for their imagined victory. But Nicander soon cleared the matter by praying aloud to God to deliver him from the dangers and temptations of the world.
“How now,” said the governor, “you but just now desired to live, and at present you ask to die.”
Nicander replied: “I desire that life which is immortal, not the fleeting life of this world. To you I willingly yield up my body; do with it what you please, I am a Christian.”
“And what are your sentiments, Marcian?” said the judge, addressing himself to the other. He declared that they were the same as those of his fellow-prisoner. Maximus then ordered that they should be both confined in the prison for twenty days. Thereafter they were again brought before the governor, who asked them if they would obey the orders of the emperors. Marcian answered: “All you can say will never make us abandon our religion or deny God. We behold Him present by faith, and know where He calls us. Do not, we beseech you, detain us; but send us quickly to Him, so that we may behold the One Who was crucified, the One we honour and worship.”
The governor, saying that he was only doing his job, granted their request, and ordered their execution. The martyrs thanked him and said: “May peace be with you, O most clement judge.”
They joyfully walked to the place of execution, praising God as they went. Nicander was followed by his wife Daria and his child who was carried in the arms of Papinian, the brother of Saint Pasicrates. Marcian’s wife, unlike Daria, continued to persuade him to renounce religion and save himself. When she persisted, he asked Zoticus, a zealous Christian, to keep her behind. At the place of execution he called for her, embraced his son, and, looking up to heaven, said:”Lord, all-powerful God, take this child into thy special protection.” Then he bade his wife to go away in peace, because she would not have the courage to see him die.
Daria continued to exhort her husband to remain faithful and be happy. She prayed that by his sufferings and prayers, he might obtain mercy for her.
The executioner then bound their eyes with their handkerchiefs and struck off their heads.
It was their never failing faith and divine grace that made these martyrs triumph over all the temptations of flesh and blood.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Tudno
2. Saint Sanctinus
3. Saint Luke Loan
4. Saint Felix of Fritzlar
5. Saint Adalar
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