The Saint and Martyr Hermias was a soldier who had spent long years in the Roman army, in Comana in Pontus.
He was arrested and brought before Sebastian, Proconsul in Comana, who summoned him to renounce his confession to show his loyalty towards the Roman emperor.
Sebastian then decided to resort to a sorcerer Marus, who concocted a strong poison with the intention of killing the Saint.
Having seen Saint Hermias drink with no effect a second stronger poison that he had prepared for him, Marus himself confessed the divine power of Christ and was immediately beheaded.
Hermias was then subjected to new torments: he was plunged in boiling oil, his eyes were gouged out, and he was then suspended upside down for three days, but he kept giving thanks to Christ.