Holy Martyr Mamas

Born in prison to pious parents who were martyred for their open confession of Christ, Mamas was adopted by the widow Ammia, guided to him by an angel. Unusually bright, Mamas didn't conceal his faith at school. He laughed at pagan idols and converted many of his peers to the True Faith. When he was 15, Mamas was arrested and taken before Emperor Aurelian. Ordered to deny Christ, Mamas refused and was then beaten, burned, and thrown into the sea. An angel saved Mamas and brought him to a high mountain. Mamas built a small chapel and lived in solitude and prayer. He was given the gift of taming wild beasts through his holiness; they gathered around him, listening to the Gospel. He fed the hungry with cheese made from the milk of wild goats and word of his blessed life spread. The governor sent soldiers to arrest him and again he was subjected to grievous tortures. He was thrown to the lions but they would not hurt him. Stabbed with a trident, the holy martyr gave up his soul in the year 275.