The Holy Martyrs Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates, priests of Nicomedia, were among the few who survived after 20,000 Christians were burned in the Nicomedia Church in 303 (December 28) by order of Emperor Maximian (284-305). They hid in remote places and did not stop teaching the pagans the Christian faith. 
The pagan youth Pantoleon (the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon; commemorated on July 27) often passed by the house where Saint Ermolai was hiding. One day Saint Ermolai came out to meet the young man and asked him to come to his house. During the conversation, Saint Ermolai began to explain to his guest the falsity, impiety and vanity of worshipping pagan deities. From that day on, Pantoleon began to visit Saint Ermolai daily and received Holy Baptism from him. 
When the trial of the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon was being carried out, Saints Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates were also captured. The day before, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saint Ermolai and revealed to him that the next day he would suffer for Him and accept the crown of martyrdom. After Saint Ermolai, Saints Ermippus and Hermocrates were also captured and brought to trial. 
All three were asked to renounce Christ and sacrifice to idols. But they resolutely refused, confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their willingness to die for Him with joy. The pagans began to threaten the holy priests with torment and death. Suddenly, a strong earthquake began, and the idols in the temple fell and broke. This was reported to the Emperor. The enraged Maximian gave the holy martyrs to torture and sentenced them to death. 
Having courageously endured all the torments, the holy martyr priests Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates were beheaded around the year 305.