Martyr Zoticus the Presbyter, Nourisher of Orphans

Zoticus was a Roman priest of a noble family who, according to tradition, came to Constantinople in the time of Constantine the Great and took upon himself the care of orphans, the poor and the sick, especially lepers. His Life tells that under Constantius, Constantine’s son, an order was given to drown the lepers, and that Zoticus spent his wealth to save them. When this came to light he was tied to wild mules and dragged to death. The leper hospital called the Zotikon kept his name in Constantinople for centuries.