Hieromartyr Antipas, a disciple of Saint John the Theologian, was the bishop of the Church in Pergamum during the reign of Emperor Nero (54–68 AD).
At that time, by the emperor's command, all those who did not offer sacrifices to idols were subjected to execution or exile. Then Saint John the Theologian was exiled to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, where the Lord revealed to him the future destinies of the world and the Holy Church.
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘These are the words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives’" (Revelation 2:12-13).
Bishop Antipas, by his example, steadfast faith, and tireless preaching about Christ, led the people of Pergamum to turn away from idol sacrifices. Pagan priests accused the bishop of turning the people away from worshiping the national gods and demanded that he stop preaching about Christ and offer a sacrifice to idols.
Bishop Antipas calmly replied that he would not serve the demon-gods who flee from him, a mortal man, and that he worships and will continue to worship the Lord Almighty, who created everything, and His Only Begotten and Consubstantial Son, and the Holy Spirit. The priests argued that their gods had existed for a long time, whereas Christ had appeared recently and was crucified under Pilate as a criminal. Bishop Antipas responded that the pagan gods were made by human hands and all tales about them are filled with lawlessness and vice. He firmly confessed his faith in the Son of God, incarnated from the Most Holy Virgin.
Enraged, the priests dragged the hieromartyr Antipas to the temple of Artemis and threw him into a heated bronze bull, where they usually threw sacrifices to idols. In the heated furnace, the hieromartyr loudly prayed to God, asking Him to accept his soul and strengthen the faith of the Christians. He passed away peacefully, as if falling asleep (circa 68 AD).
At night, the Christians took the body of the hieromartyr Antipas, untouched by fire, and buried him honorably in Pergamum. The tomb of the hieromartyr became a source of miracles and healings from various diseases. Especially, people turn to hieromartyr Antipas for relief from toothaches.