Dometios was a Persian who converted to Christianity and became a monk, living on a mountain near Nisibis. He was known in life for his wisdom and grace bringing many to the faith, and performing miracles. According to legend when Julian the Apostate marched on Persia, he heard of this holy man and ordered that Dometios and his two disciples be stoned to death in AD 363.

I have no doubt that Dometios was a holy man – and ought to be commemorated, along with all those who have, through their living a life of faith to the teachings of Christ inspire us even to this day.

But I do wonder if the hagiography is a bit “skewed” – according to the hagiography both Dometios and Eusygnius who we commemorated on Wednesday were martyred by Julian the Apostate. But while he was known for his apostacy, one has to ask did he really go around blithely ordering the murder of holymen?

Tradition is great – and even in hagiography which is often “skewed” having been written centuries later, or with a particular purpose in mind – but to follow tradition blindly – not knowing the “why” or the “how” it came about and what it brings to the table – goes against the very foundation of the OC/IC ethos – indeed it is what got our early forefathers in loads of trouble in the 18th and 19th centuries.