St. Tryphon the Martyr icon

Orthodox icon of Saint Tryphon of Phrygia.

Commemorated February 1.

The Holy Martyr Tryphon was from Lampsacus in Phrygia, and as a young man he tended geese. From his childhood he was able to cure illnesses that afflicted people and livestock and was able to expel evil spirits. Tryphon healed the emperor's daughter. The emperor lavished upon him many gifts all of which Tryphon, upon his return, distributed to the poor.

During the reign of the Emperor Decius, about the year 250, he was betrayed as a Christian and taken to Nicaea, where he was tortured and was sentenced to beheading. Before his death Tryphon prayed to God. So that his death could not be attributed to the tyrant, Tryphon died (250 A.D.) just before the soldiers beheaded him. Several Christians of Nicaea wanted to bury his body near the city, however, the Saint appeared in their dreams and directed them to bury his body in Lampsakon, where later, many miracles were attributed to him.

Saint Tryphon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is also invoked for the protection of gardens from insects and pests.