Two early martyrs who were paired together by early Christians as a same-sex couple, and invoked as such in the adelphopoia ceremonies, recently discussed by historian John Boswell as indicating a Christian tradition of exclusive and publicly recognized same-sex unions. St. Polyeuctus had a huge church, modeled after the Temple of Solomon, built in his name in 6th century Constantinople.

Polyeuktos was the first martyr in the Armenian city of Melitene. He was a soldier under the emperor Decius and he later suffered for Christ under the emperor Valerian. The saint was friend also of Nearchos, a fellow-soldier and firm Christian, but Polyeuktos, though he led a virtuous life, remained a pagan.

When the persecution against Christians began, Nearchos said to Polyeuktos, "Friend, we shall soon be separated, for they will take me to torture, and you alas, will renounce your friendship with me." Polyeuktos told him that he had seen Christ in a dream, who took his soiled military cloak from him and dressed him in a radiant garment. "Now," he said, "I am prepared to serve the Lord Jesus Christ."

Enflamed with zeal, Polyeuktos went to the city square, and tore up the edict of Decius which required everyone to worship idols. A few moments later, he met a procession carrying twelve idols through the streets of the city. He dashed the idols to the ground and trampled them underfoot.

With joy he bent his head beneath the sword of the executioner and was baptized in his own blood. Soon, when the Church of Christ in the reign of St. Constantine had triumphed throughout all the Roman Empire, a church was built at Melitene in honor of the holy Martyr Polyeuktos.

The Polyeucte Overture of French composer Paul Dukas is only one of many pieces of classical music inspired by the saints. It premiered in January of 1892. Dramatist Pierre Corneille has also written a play, Polyeucte (1642), based on the martyr's life.

Icon from: The Living Circle Collection in Chicago, Illinois