St. Tigrius

In June of 404, the archbishop of Constantinople Saint John Chrysostom was exiled from his see by the Byzantine emperor Arcadius for his courageous opposition to certain licentious entertainments that had taken place in the city. The priest Tigrius, known for his meekness and compassion for the poor, and the lector Eutropius, a young man of blameless life, were among the many who remained faithful to their exiled archbishop. When shortly after Chrysostom’s departure a fire broke out at the cathedral of Santa Sophia, the archbishop’s schismatic enemies and the pagan prefect of Constantinople falsely accused Chrysostom’s supporters of starting the fire. Many were arrested, including Tigrius and Eutropius. Eutropius was interrogated under torture, including scourging, the burning of his flesh, and the tearing of his cheeks and sides with iron nails, but he remained steadfast in refusing their demands for a false confession. He died from his wounds soon afterward. Tigrius was scourged and tortured on a rack. He is said later to have been exiled.