Mammas the Martyr
Saint Mammas was from Gangra of Paphlagonia. He was born in prison, where his parents were suffering for Christ's sake and ended their lives.
The Holy Great Martyr Mammas was born in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor in the third century of pious and illustrious parents, the Christians Theodotus and Rufina. He was named Mammas because, after he had long remained without speaking, he addressed his foster mother Ammia as "mamma." The parents of the saint were arrested by the pagans for their open confession of their faith and locked up in prison in Caesarea in Cappadocia. Mammas was tortured for his faith by the governor of Caesarea and was then sent before the Roman Emperor Aurelian, who tortured him again.
The Mammas life states that an angel then liberated him and ordered him to hide himself on a mountain near Caesarea. Mammas was later thrown to the lions, but managed to make the beasts docile. He preached to animals in the fields, and a lion remained with him as companion. Accompanied by the lion, he visited Duke Alexander, who condemned him to death. He was struck in the stomach with a trident. Bleeding, Mammas dragged himself to a spot near a theater before his soul was carried into heaven by angels.
St Basil the Great speaks thus about the holy Martyr Mammas in a sermon to the people: Remember the holy martyr, you who live here and have him as a helper. You who call on his name have been helped by him. Those in error he has guided into life. Those whom he has healed of infirmity, those whose children were dead he has restored to life, those whose life he has prolonged: let us all come together as one, and praise the martyr!
He contested for Christ about the year 275.