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==History==
While the city of Cyzicus on the coast of the Dardenelles (Hellespont) in Asia Minor had seen the spread of Christianity from the time of St. [[Apostle Paul|Paul's ]] preaching, by the end of the third century Cyzicus was still basically a pagan city. During persecutions, some of the Christians fled the city, while others quietly in secret kept their faith in Christ. The situation distressed the Christians in the city who sought to uphold actively the Christian faith. Through these years as the third century ended there were among these Christians nine men: Thaumasius, Theognes, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, and Philemon.
The nine came from many different places and were of different ages. There were youths like Antipater and the very elderly like Rufus. They held many different positions in society, including being soldiers, countryfolk, city people, and [[clergy]]. They all, however, declared their faith in Christ, and prayed for the propagation of Christianity throughout the countryside. These saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan impiety.
[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category: Martyrs]]
[[Category:3rd-century saints]]
