Diomedes of Tarsus
Saint Diomedes of Tarsus was a Greek Christian physician and evangelist who lived between 298 and 311 AD. He is venerated as a martyr and one of the Holy Unmercenaries. He is remembered for his missionary work and a miraculous account of restored sight after his martyrdom.
- Feast Day
- August 16
- Century
- 4th century
- Country Or Region
- Turkey
Key Facts
- ›Diomedes was a physician by profession and a zealous Christian evangelist.
- ›He was born in Tarsus and traveled widely preaching the Christian faith.
- ›Diocletian ordered his arrest when he arrived in Nicaea.
- ›He died on route to Nicomedia while pausing to pray.
- ›A tradition states that when his head was taken to the emperor, all present were blinded, and sight was restored only after his body was returned and prayers were offered.
- ›The Diomede Islands off the coast of Alaska are named after him.
Diomede
About Diomedes of Tarsus
Saint Diomedes of Tarsus, also known as Diomede, was a Greek Christian saint and martyr who lived between 298 and 311 AD. He is recognized as one of the Holy Unmercenaries, a group of saints who offered healing services without accepting payment.
Life and Ministry
Born in Tarsus, Diomedes was a physician by profession and a fervent Christian evangelist. He dedicated his life to traveling and preaching the Christian faith. His missionary efforts led him to Nicaea, where he was arrested by order of Emperor Diocletian. While being transported to Nicomedia, Diomedes stopped to pray and subsequently died. His head was taken by the soldiers as evidence of his apprehension. According to one account, when his head was presented to the emperor, all present were blinded, and their sight was only restored after his body was returned and they had prayed.
Veneration and Legacy
Diomedes of Tarsus is commemorated on August 16 (Old Style). His image is depicted in a fresco at the monastery of Hilandar on Mount Athos in Greece. The Diomede Islands, located off the coast of Alaska, owe their name to this saint. Explorer Vitus Bering sighted these islands on August 16 (O.S.), 1728, the same day the Russian Orthodox Church observes the memory of Saint Diomedes during the Nut Feast of the Saviour.
There is also a record of another Saint Diomedes, venerated on September 2, who suffered martyrdom with a group of companions through various forms of execution.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Diomedes of Tarsus?
Saint Diomedes of Tarsus was a Greek Christian physician and evangelist who lived between 298 and 311 AD. He is venerated as a martyr and one of the Holy Unmercenaries.
What is Saint Diomedes of Tarsus chiefly remembered for?
He is remembered for his zealous Christian evangelism, traveling and preaching the faith, and for a miraculous event that occurred after his death. It is said that when his head was brought to the emperor, all were blinded, and their sight was only restored after his body was returned and prayers were offered.
When is the feast day of Saint Diomedes of Tarsus?
His feast day is celebrated on August 16 (Old Style).
What is the origin of the name of the Diomede Islands?
The Diomede Islands off the coast of Alaska derive their name from Saint Diomedes. Vitus Bering sighted the islands on August 16 (Old Style), 1728, which is the day the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of Saint Diomedes.
Was Saint Diomedes of Tarsus a physician?
Yes, Saint Diomedes of Tarsus was a physician by profession. He was also a zealous Christian evangelist who traveled widely preaching the faith.
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