Artemius

Artemius of Antioch

Artemius, also known as Shallita (meaning "The empowered one" in Classical Syriac), was a prominent Syrian general of the Roman Empire who held the significant position of dux Aegypti, the imperial prefect of Roman Egypt. He is recognized as a saint and martyr by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, often referred to as Artemius of Antioch or Mar Shalita the Martyr. His life and death are subjects of historical and hagiographical accounts, with some details being contradictory or inconsistent between early Christian and pagan sources.

Life and Historical Context

Details surrounding Artemius' birth and early life are scarce. While one tradition suggests he was Egyptian by birth, his exact origins are unconfirmed. Christian sources, such as the 8th-century Artemii Passio, describe him as a Senator and a significant figure in the affairs of Emperor Constantine. However, these accounts are not always corroborated by other historical records. His association with Emperor Constantius II appears more reliable, with evidence indicating that Constantius appointed him as dux Aegypti in the final years of his reign. Artemius is documented in a minute of the Oxyrhyncian Senate in 360 CE holding this rank.

The Artemii Passio attributes Artemius' rise to his successful mission to recover the relics of the Apostles Andrew, Luke, and Timothy, tasks allegedly ordered by Constantius. He is said to have traveled to Achaea to retrieve the bodies of Andrew and Luke and to have translated Timothy's relics to Constantinople. While this narrative explains his appointment to govern Egypt, other Christian sources, like the Chronicon Paschale, do not mention Artemius in connection with these relic translations.

During his tenure as governor of Egypt, Artemius aligned himself with the Arian bishop George the Cappadocian, supporting his actions against pagan and Orthodox Christian communities. This included the sacking of the Temple of Serapis in Alexandria and the pursuit of Athanasius, the former Orthodox bishop of Alexandria.

Death and Martyrdom

Following the succession of Emperor Julian in 361 CE, who renounced Christianity for traditional Roman paganism, Artemius met his end. The circumstances of his death are not entirely clear. The Artemii Passio places his execution in Antioch at the hands of Julian, who summoned Artemius from Alexandria. According to this account, Artemius supported two Christian priests, Eugenius and Macarius, against Julian's tortures and was further accused by Julian of murdering his half-brother, Gallus. Despite Artemius' denials, he was reportedly tortured, urged to renounce his faith, and ultimately beheaded.

In contrast, the Chronicon Paschale states that Artemius died in Alexandria. Ammianus Marcellinus and Julian himself suggest that Artemius was executed after his term as dux Aegypti ended, for alleged crimes against the people of Alexandria. Ammianus's description implies his death did not occur in Alexandria, lending some credence to the Antioch location.

Hagiography and Veneration

Artemius is venerated as a martyr and saint in the Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, despite a historical association with Arianism. His acceptance as a martyr stems from the tradition of his martyrdom under Julian for his Christian faith. His canonization is linked to the anonymous late 7th-century compilation of 45 miracles attributed to him.

These miracles often relate to medicine and healing, with Saint Artemios particularly associated with the healing of hernias and other male genitourinary conditions. A miracle involving the healing of a woman is also attributed to him through the intercession of Saint Febronia.

His feast day is observed on October 20th. His cult site was the Church of Saint John the Forerunner in Constantinople. He is invoked by those suffering from hernias.