During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Licinius, who ruled the eastern part of the Byzantine Empire, Saint Leontius and several of his friends reported to the Armenian governor Licinius in Nicopolis that they were Christians. After a long argument about the faith, Licinius beat them and threw them into prison, where they were not given anything to eat or drink. The Christian woman Vlasiana gave them water through the prison window. An angel of God also appeared to them in prison, to comfort and strengthen them. When the trial was held, two jailers came forward to Lisinius as converted Christians, as well as many others – 45 in total. The judge sentenced them to death by first cutting off their hands and feet with an axe and then throwing them into the fire. This sentence was literally carried out in 319.

Venerable Anthony of Kiev-Pechersk. The Transfer of the Honorable Robe of Our Lord Jesus Christ.