Saint Mercurius

According to tradition, Mercurius was a young officer in the Roman army in the 3rd century, of Scythian or Cappadocian origin. An angel is said to have given him a sword and promised him victory in battle, after which he was honored by the emperor. When he refused to offer sacrifice to the gods, he was tortured and beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia, around 250. Though many details of his story are legendary, his cult is very ancient.

Copts call him Abu Sefein, "the father of two swords," and a famous church in Old Cairo bears his name. A legend says he was sent from heaven to strike down Julian the Apostate, the emperor who tried to restore paganism.