Martyr 2nd century

Martyr Danax the Reader

2nd century

A church reader in Macedonia who was slain for refusing to worship idols.

Feast Day

January 16

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Danax the Reader, of Macedonia

Life

Danax the Reader is a second-century martyr commemorated in the Eastern Orthodox calendar on January 16. He served as a reader (lector) in a church in Macedonia and was killed for refusing to take part in pagan worship during a violent incursion.

The surviving accounts of his life are brief. They agree that he held the minor clerical office of reader, that he attempted to protect the sacred vessels of his church when pagans invaded, and that he was seized by soldiers and put to death after declining to sacrifice to their gods.

Timeline 3 moments Read Hide

2nd century Service as a reader Danax served as a reader at a church in Macedonia. Greek-tradition accounts place his origin in Illyricum, at a place called Aulon (Avlona, identified with Vlorë in present-day Albania).
2nd century Pagan invasion and arrest During an invasion by pagans, Danax took the church vessels and intended to hide them to keep them from desecration. He was seized by soldiers before he could conceal them.
2nd century Refusal and martyrdom His captors demanded that he sacrifice to their idols. Refusing to do so and remaining firm in his confession of Christ, he was put to death.

Contributions & Legacy

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Office and origin

Danax held the office of reader, a minor order of the clergy charged with reading the Scriptures and other appointed texts in the services of the Church. The sources locate his service in Macedonia, at a church identified as being in Auleneia.

Greek-tradition accounts give his birthplace as Aulon (Avlona) in Illyricum, a coastal site identified with the modern Albanian city of Vlorë. He is described as living in the second century, during the period of the early persecutions before the legalization of Christianity.

Martyrdom

When pagans invaded, Danax attempted to safeguard the liturgical vessels of his church by hiding them, but he was captured by soldiers. They pressed him to worship their gods; one account specifies a demand that he sacrifice to Dionysios. He refused, holding to his faith in Christ.

The manner of his death is reported differently across traditions. The OCA synaxarion account states that he was stabbed with a sword, while a Greek-tradition account states that he was beheaded and his body cast into the sea. Both traditions agree that he died as a martyr for refusing idolatry.

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