Neophytos of Nicaea

Neophytos was born in Nicaea of Bithynia to Christian parents who were named Theodore and Florentia.[1] During the Diocletianic Persecution he went to Nicaea and boldly denounced the pagan faith.[2] He was killed by Roman soldiers in A.D. 303, 10 years before the Edict of Milan permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire.[3] His feast day is commemorated on January 21.[4]

In 2014 the underwater Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos suspected to have been dedicated in his honour was discovered in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The basilica had been built in the place where he was killed on the shore of the lake and subsequently became submerged after an earthquake.[5]