Hieromartyr · 2nd–3rd century
Haralambos
Hieromartyr Haralambos, Bishop of Magnesia in Thessaly
New Calendar February 10 Old Calendar February 23
Why they are a saint
Haralambos is remembered as elder bishop martyred at a great age. He is in Greek popular devotion asked against plague and infectious disease. The years given for this life are 2nd–3rd century. The New Calendar feast is February 10; this memory is kept in the Greek Church.
Life
Saint Haralambos (Haralampus) was a bishop in Magnesia who successfully spread the faith in Christ. Arrested at the age of 113, he confessed Christ and refused to sacrifice to idols, and was cruelly tortured; his patience moved two soldiers, Porphyrius and Baptus, and three women to confess Christ, and they were martyred.
Before his death he prayed that the place where his relics would rest would never suffer famine or disease and would have peace and abundance. He died before he could be executed, in the year 202, and was buried with honour. Greek tradition regards him as a priest, Russian sources as a bishop.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of plague and epidemic disease, because of the sea stories in his life and of accounts of his help against plague.
Prayer
O holy Haralambos, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.