Saint Hieromartyr Cornutus

Saint Cornutus of Iconium is an Orthodox Christian saint and martyr. The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Cornutus on September 12 (25). He was a native of the village of Sursala (or Salata) in Iconium. He was already quite elderly when the persecution of Christians began during the reigns of the Roman emperors Decius and Valerian. The imperial persecutor Perennius arrived in Iconium and began searching for Christians. While the Christians fled the city to hide from the persecution, the elderly Bishop Cornutus remained in the city, personally presented himself to Perennius as a Christian bishop, and confessed his faith in Jesus Christ. When asked by Perennius who he was, he fearlessly replied that he was a Christian, that he firmly believed that Jesus Christ was the only true God, and that idolatry was a lie. The tormentor ordered that his feet be bound with thin ropes and that he be dragged through the city until all his blood had drained away. Amidst these torments, the hieromartyr gave thanks to God. He was subsequently subjected to further tortures and was finally beheaded with a sword.