Great martyr
Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia
Great Martyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia
New Calendar November 24 Old Calendar December 7
Why they are a saint
The calendar keeps Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia among those who died for Christ. Great martyrs are remembered for a public, costly confession of Christ unto death. Orthodox Christians honor that confession of Christ unto death. The New Calendar feast is November 24.
Life
Saint Mercurius, a Scythian by descent, served in the Roman army under the emperor Decius. In a battle against the barbarians an angel gave him a sword and told him not to forget the Lord after his victory; he won the battle, and Decius made him commander of the army. The angel appeared again and told him he would suffer for Christ.
Remembering that his father Gordian had confessed Christ, he refused to sacrifice to the idols, endured tortures from which the Lord healed him, and was beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia. Tradition tells that, through the prayers of Saint Basil the Great, he was sent to strike down Julian the Apostate on his Persian campaign.
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
Orthodox Christians usually take Mercurius of Caesarea as a patron when they bear the name Mercurius at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 24. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, 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.