Orthodox Calendar September 12
The Holy Hieromartyr Autonomus (+303) lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284–305). He was a bishop in Italy, but because of the persecution against Christians begun by the Emperor, he departed from Italy and went into Bithynia, where he was received by a Christian named Cornelius.
In Bithynia there were many pagans, yet Saint Autonomus, being zealous for the faith of Christ, labored with great zeal in missionary work. He built there a church dedicated to the holy Archangel Michael. When Diocletian ordered his arrest, the Saint withdrew to Claudiopolis, on the Black Sea.
After preaching the Gospel also in Lycaonia and Isauria (in Asia Minor), he returned to Bithynia, appointing Cornelius as bishop in his stead, while he himself went to the city of Claudia to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Nevertheless, he would return to serve together with Cornelius in the church in Bithynia.
The pagans, angered by the missionary activity of the Saint, seized him one day while he was serving in the church dedicated to Saint Michael, dragged him outside, and stoned him to death, thus receiving the crown of martyrdom. He was buried by a deaconess named Maria. In the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, a church was built over his tomb.
In the year 430 this church was destroyed, its builders not realizing it stood upon the Saint’s grave, and it was rebuilt in another place. In 490, the relics of the Saint were found incorrupt, and yet another church was raised in honor of the holy Hieromartyr Autonomus.
Troparion — Tone 4
Having shared the ways of the Apostles,
and having occupied their throne, O divinely inspired one,
thou didst find the practice of contemplation to be the way to divine vision.
Wherefore, rightly dividing the word of truth,
thou didst also endure to the shedding of thy blood for the faith.
O Hieromartyr Autonomus, intercede with Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
On this day, the Holy Orthodox Church also commemorates the holy martyrs Macedonius and Theodulus.
