Third Part

incited the saint, through the night, with voices and clamors to attack him. But when they achieved nothing, they departed defeated. He, however, having constructed a narrow cell for himself, and having entered into it, passed the whole time of his life there.

Eodem die Commemoration of the holy women Marana and Cyra. ^A These holy women were from the city of Beroea in Cilicia. Having left behind both family and fatherland, and wealth, they went near to Beroea and built a small cell; and having entered within, they blocked up the door with clay and stones. And they left a small window, from which they would receive a little food and a small amount of water. And they would ^B converse with the women who came to them, teaching them virtue. They also weighed down their whole bodies with great weights of iron; and they spoke with women only on the day of Pentecost, passing the whole remainder of the year in silence. They ate and drank only once in forty days. And since they lived in this manner piously and religiously, they were also deemed worthy of the gift of miracles; for they restored sight to the blind, healed the demon-possessed, and granted the power of walking to the lame; and thus they passed away.

Eodem die Commemoration of Saint Domnina. Saint Domnina was born in the city of Cyrrhus to pious and wealthy parents; burning from youth with the love of God, she devoted herself entirely to religious exercises: and in a hut which she had built ^C from reeds contiguous to her house, she shut herself in: where, throughout the day and night, she prayed to God for the whole world, for the churches, for the orthodox emperors, for the army, for the state, and finally she made her own last prayer for her own soul. And her food was boiled lentils and a little water. Having thus lived like the angels, with her body worn down by labors, she migrated with joy to God, whom she had loved, receiving the enjoyment of eternal goods.

MENOLOGION OF THE GREEKS

PART THREE

FROM THE MONTH OF MARCH TO AUGUST.

^D MONTH OF MARCH. The first day. 1 The contest of the holy martyr Eudocia the Samaritan. Saint Eudocia, martyr of Christ, [was] from the city of Sa-

Samaria. During the reign of Trajan, she first lived a licentious life, and having many lovers on account of the beauty of her face, she gathered immense wealth from them. But later, having been taught the word of repentance by a certain monk named Germanus, she was struck with compunction. Then, also impelled by a vision, she approached Theodotus the bishop and was baptized by him. The vision was of this kind: she saw an angel of God leading her by the hand to heaven, and other angels rejoicing; but at the same time a certain black, raging one, saying that a great injustice had been done to him, because Eudocia had become a Christian. For this reason, she distributed her wealth to the poor and became a nun. And having been denounced by her own lovers, she stood before the Emperor Aurelian and was punished. But after she had raised his own son, who had died, to life through prayer, she persuaded him to believe in Christ. And then she was released, but later, being seized by the governor of the region, she was beheaded.

The contest of the holy martyrs Nestor and Tribimaeus.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The second day.

The contest of the holy martyr Antonina.

^A to carry her off, angels came who protected her but punished them. Then she was placed upon a red-hot gridiron, yet she remained unharmed. Afterward, having been placed in a sack, she was cast into the marsh of Nicaea, and so she finished her martyrdom.

On the same day. The Dormition of the apostle Parmenas.

This holy apostle Parmenas, being a disciple of the holy apostles, was numbered among the Seventy. He was chosen and appointed with the other six deacons to minister to the tables of those who were coming to Christ and being baptized, just as the holy Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles, saying: "And they chose" (namely, the holy apostles) "Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch, and Parmenas." Thus, therefore, did Parmenas minister, and by faithfully and devoutly applying his toil to the needs of the saints, and pleasing God and His disciples and apostles, he was seized by a disease; and having finished his life before the eyes of the apostles, he departed to Christ, whom he had desired, having obtained an unfading crown and an immortal kingdom.

And the contest of Saint Quintus the Wonderworker: and the dormition of the saints Andronicus and Athanasia: also the memory of Saint Troadius, and of the holy hieromartyr Porphyrius of Gaza, and of Theodoret the presbyter of Antioch: and finally the contest of the holy hieromartyr Theodotus, bishop of Cyrenia. ^B

IN THE SAME MONTH. The Third Day. ^{C A} The contest of the holy martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus.

These men lived in the times of Maximian, serving as fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore. Being brought before the governor as Christians, they were received with dire scourging, to such an extent that the torturers themselves grew weary from the intensity of the torments. But the martyrs, when the Lord appeared to them along with the holy great martyr Theodore, were made whole. Whereupon the governor, changing his strategy, attempted with blandishments to turn Saint Cleonicus away from the faith of Christ, promising him gifts and honors. But he, smiling, exposed the impotence of the idols to ridicule. For when a sacrifice was being made to them, he cast down the image of Artemis with his prayers. Wherefore they poured pitch and bitumen, boiled in three cauldrons, upon the holy martyrs: yet they were preserved safe and unharmed; but the torturers were consumed by fire. Then Cleonicus and Eutropius were fastened to crosses and finished their martyrdom; but Basiliscus was cast into prison, and after some time he too passed from this life. ^D

^A

IN THE SAME MONTH. Fourth Day.

Memory of our holy Father Gerasimus.

Gerasimus the wonderworker abandoned the world and became a monk. Retiring to the inner desert of the Thebaid region, he lived in quiet, fulfilling the commandments of God. He attained such intimacy with God that, representing in himself the image and likeness of the saints, he both commanded wild beasts and performed many miracles. He also had an ass to transport water, as the water was far away. But a lion having come down from the mountain to him to seek a cure for its eye, which had been struck by a thorn, he cured it; and after it was healed, he commanded it to lead the ass to pasture and graze it. The lion would therefore lead it by a halter and graze it. And once, while the lion was sleeping, passing merchants took the ass away. Gerasimus, suspecting that the lion had eaten it, condemned it to carry water in the ass's stead, which it continued to do until the elder’s death. Upon his death, it also fell dead upon his grave. ^B

And memory of our holy Father Marcus.

Saint Marcus was a lover of labor in all things, and gave himself up to the meditation of the divine Scriptures, thereby arriving at the highest pinnacle of virtue. Clear signs of this are both the books full of utility written by him concerning virtue, and the grace of the miracles performed by him. For while he was living a quiet life in seclusion, a hyena approached him, bearing her own blind cub, and with a humble gesture begged him to have mercy on the blindness of her offspring. Observing this, he spat into its eyes and made them whole. After some days, the hyena returned and brought to the saint the skin of a large ram as a reward for the cure. He would not accept it before the beast promised no longer to harm the sheep of the poor. If he showed such affection toward irrational animals, what must we think he felt toward humans? Such, moreover, was his purity that the presbyter of the place would affirm that he never gave communion to Marcus, but that it was extended to him by the hand of an angel. Having reached his hundredth year, he was perfected. ^C

And the contest of the holy martyrs Paul and his sister Juliana, and Stratonicus in the city of Ptolemais.

IN THE SAME MONTH. Fifth Day.

Contest of the holy martyr Eulogius.

Eulogius, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of Palestine, the son of wealthy, but idolatrous parents. He, however, having embraced the faith of Christ and been baptized, after the death of his parents distributed the vast riches left to him among the poor, and willingly living by begging for the Lord's sake, he went about every city and region...

teaching the word of Christ, converting many from among them, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ^A While doing this, he was denounced by the idolaters to the prince of the region. Being arrested, he was brought before him; and upon being questioned, he freely confessed Christ. Wherefore, being stripped of his garments and cruelly beaten with dry ox-hide thongs, and compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to the idols, because he would not comply, by the prince’s order his sacred head was cut off, and he was buried in the same place.

And the memorial of our holy Father Gregory, bishop of Constantia in Cyprus; and likewise the memorial of Hesychius the ascetic.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The sixth day.

The Contest of the holy martyr Conon in Isauria

This holy Conon, in the times of the holy apostles, was a native of the region of Isauria. ^B But although he was a Christian, he persuaded the woman whom he had married, before they came together, that they both should preserve their virginity; wherefore he lived with her just as a sister. Furthermore, he had as a leader of his salvation the archistrategos Michael, who both baptized him, and taught him the name of the Holy Trinity, and imparted the divine mysteries to him, and was with him even to the end; moreover, he conferred upon him the power of performing marvelous miracles. Conon therefore baptized his own parents, of whom Nestor his father underwent martyrdom for Christ. But he also convinced his adversaries, Greeks who affirmed that there was no God besides idols, and persuaded them to confess Christ with a loud voice and to say: "One is the God of Conon." ^C He also subdued the demons; and some of them were assigned by him to wilderness places, while others were shut up in jars. Finally, being arrested by the governor and subjected to torture, but rescued by the people, who ran to his aid, he lived for two years thereafter and ended his life.

And the contest of the holy martyr Conon the gardener

This man was a native of Nazareth in Galilee during the reign of Decius. Having gone into the region of Pamphylia, and taking possession of a small piece of land, he converted it into a garden, and from the vegetables planted there he prepared sustenance for himself ^D and for his poor guests. He was so simple in his ways that when those came who were to arrest him and bring him before the governor to be subjected to tortures because he was a Christian, and when they greeted him in mockery, he returned the greeting; and when they said that the governor sent for him, he replied: "What need does he have of my work, especially since I am a Christian?" Being bound, however, and brought to the governor, and when he was compelled to sacrifice to the idols, he sighed deeply and said to the governor: "Would that you, O governor, would also deny the idols and come to Christ." Therefore, having his ankles pierced and being fixed with iron nails, and compelled to run before a chariot, he ended his life.

The contest of the forty-two holy martyrs captured at Amorium and slain in Syria.

In the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast, the father of Michael, the son of Theodora who restored Orthodoxy, these saints were commanders and tribunes, men of wealth and noble birth. At that time, the emir came from Syria with an innumerable host against the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, and they were sent by the emperor to guard the city of Amorium. Seeing the infinite multitude of the Saracens, they entered within the fortress and defended it courageously. But with the permission of God, who chastens those who err, the fortress was taken by force and the multitude of the citizens was slaughtered. They themselves were taken prisoner, led away into Syria, and shut up in prison. ^B And after enduring many hardships, they were brought out of the prison and compelled by force to embrace their [the Saracens'] illusions. But steadfastly refusing this, they received the sentence of death by beheading. And when Constantine had greatly encouraged his companions, he was beheaded with them.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The seventh day. Saint Paul the Confessor of Prusia.

When this man was bishop of the holy Church in Prusia during the times of the impious Iconoclasts, and saw those madmen raging against the Churches of Christ and overturning all precision of the laws, and destroying the forms and representations of the venerable icons—wholly exterminating them from the inner sanctuaries of the holy temples and substituting in their place painted figures of wild beasts, birds, and snakes, while disregarding the traditions of the divine Fathers—as a victor for God, he did not cease to attack them with divine words like arrows, gladly enduring persecutions, exiles, and most grievous hardships for the sake of the holy icons of Christ our God, and of His most holy and spotless Mother, our glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and of the God-like angels, and of all the saints. Therefore, having endured much vexation over the course of many years, and having struggled nobly to his final breath, he migrated to the Lord. ^C

And the memory of the holy Arcadius and Nestor, bishops of Trimithous in Cyprus; and the contest of the holy Eubulus and Julian the physician, and of the venerable Dometius; and of the seven holy martyrs in Cherson. ^D

ON THE SAME MONTH. The eighth day. Memory of the holy confessor Theophylactus, Bishop of Nicomedia.

Theophylactus, the divine high priest, was born in the eastern parts. Coming to Constantinople, he served the most holy Tarasios while the latter was still the first of...

^A the secretarial order. When he became patriarch, he made him a monk, together with Michael, who was afterwards created bishop of Synada, and he enrolled them in the oratories of the Patriarchate. Afterwards, he ordained him bishop of Nicomedia. When Tarasios ceased to be among the living, and Saint Nicephorus succeeded him in the patriarchate, as Leo the Armenian assumed the empire and arrayed himself against the holy images, Saint Nicephorus, summoning Saint Theophylactus along with the other bishops, entered the palace and harshly rebuked the impious emperor who was opposed to the holy images. Then the patriarch was banished to the island of Thasos; others were deported to other places, but Theophylactus to Strobilos, where he ended his life.

^B Et memoria sancti Arcadii Cyprii, ac certamen Eubuli et Juliani. [And the memory of the holy Arcadius of Cyprus, and the contest of Eubulus and Julian.]

Saint Arcadius was a native of the island of Cyprus, having embraced the monastic life from childhood, and on account of his upright way of living, he was most pleasing to God, beginning the arena of his struggle during the reign of Constantine the Great. He profited many, not only by the example of his life and his virtues, but also by his teaching and exhortations. Among these were Eubulus and Julian, who came to him more frequently, and being comforted by his sermons, they proceeded on the path of virtue. Afterwards, however, under the reign of the impious Apostate Julian, they were captured by the idolaters who had received power from the emperor to rise up freely against the Christians; and at length, after the harshest tortures, they were beheaded. When Saint Arcadius learned of these things, he was indeed saddened; yet he gave thanks to God, who had ordained all things in this way. Persevering, however, in the same place where he had hitherto resided, he ended his life, steeped in many tears during his prayers.

^C Et certamen sanctorum in Chersone episcoporum Basilei, Eugenii, Agathodori, et reliquorum. [And the contest of the holy bishops in Cherson: Basil, Eugenius, Agathodorus, and the rest.]

During the reign of Diocletian, Hermon, bishop of Jerusalem, commissioned bishops, sending Ephrem to Turkey and Basil to Cherson. When the latter preached Christ there, he was met with scourging and driven out of the city. But when he had called the son of the ruler back from death to life, he was summoned back, and he baptized the ruler himself and many others. But those who had remained in their infidelity dragged him, tied by his feet with ropes, for so long that he ended his life. After his death came Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capeton, and Elpidius, who, while they were preaching Christ, were killed by the Greeks who were rising up against them. ^D After these things, Aetherius was sent from Jerusalem, and when he saw the ferocity of the people, he approached the Great Constantine, then reigning in Byzantium, and asked that the idolaters be cast out of the city of Cherson; this happened according to his desire. And when he had built churches and had approached the emperor again to give thanks, and had returned to Cherson—bringing sacred things with him—on his way back he was cast into the river Dnieper and ended his life there.

MONTH OF THE SAME. Day Nine.

MONTH OF THE SAME. Day Ten.

And the contest of the holy martyr Dionysius.

and was urged now by blandishments, ^A now by threats, to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols: but adhering to his former resolve, and confessing Christ with a loud voice, he was slain by the sword, and thus completed his martyrdom.

EODEM MENSE. Die undecima. 12 The Contest of the holy sacromartyr Pionius. This holy man, during the reign of Decius, was a presbyter in the holy Church of Smyrna. Since he rebuked the Jews and Greeks, and demonstrated to them ^B from the Scriptures that there is one only true God, the creator of all things, and His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; and added that all sinners and infidels would be punished by Him and consigned to eternal fire, pointing out that this was evident from the Sodomite fire and that which erupts in Sicily: he was seized together with other Christians by the idolaters. First, indeed, he was bound in chains and delivered to Polemon, the priest of the idols, and to the ruler ^C of the city of Smyrna: then he was led to the governor of the region, and by his order was subjected to most harsh scourgings, and was suspended on the rack, and his sides were scorched with torches of fire. Finally, he was taken down from the rack and cast into a burning furnace, and in prayer he completed his martyrdom.

And the memory of our holy Father Sophronius, Archbishop of Jerusalem. Our holy Father Sophronius drew his origin from the city of Damascus in the province of Phoenicia, being the son of pious and temperate parents. ^D Since he was endowed with an excellent intellect, he learned all the written doctrine of the Greeks and Christians. Afterward, he chose the monastery of the great Theodosius, in which he unfolded all the Scripture. Thereafter he went to Alexandria, led by the desire to acquire wider learning. Therefore, because of his doctrine and his singular virtue, he was made Bishop of Jerusalem. Then, the holy city having been captured, he went again to Alexandria to holy John the Almsgiver, and after the latter had passed from life, he returned again to Jerusalem. And since he had composed many books, and had pursued the encomia of various saints, and had written the life of holy Mary, which is beyond the powers of human nature, and had excellently led and governed the flock of the Church of God, he migrated in peace to the Lord, whom he had longed for.

EODEM MENSE. Die duodecima. 13 Memory of our holy Father Theophanes, confessor in the Great Field. Our holy Father Theophanes was born to noble and wealthy parents, and after his father died, he was brought up by his mother. Having reached the age of twelve, he was betrothed to a maiden, whom, by his exhortations, he induced to preserve her virginity,

^A and she was shorn in the monastery of Princes. As for him, having distributed his wealth to the poor, he departed and became a monk in the monastery situated on Mount Sigriana. When Leo the Armenian, an iconoclast, held the empire, learning of the virtue of Saint Theophanis, he ordered him to come to the royal city, and urged him to consent to his heresy. When he could by no means persuade him, he first ordered him to be shut up in prison. Afterwards, having brought him out of the prison and again compelling him to renounce the veneration of the venerable icons, since he saw that he would not at all tolerate hearing this, he banished him to Samothrace; where the saint went, and having lived a little while longer, he was taken up by the Lord.

^B And the commemoration of our holy Father Gregory, Pope of Rome.

In the reign of Justinian, this holy Gregory was a monk in a monastery near Rome; he was very virtuous, and preeminently merciful to the poor. God, wishing to test him, sent an angel to him in the guise of one shipwrecked, and found him most ready to give; for he immediately counted out fifty coins to the solicitor, then six, and finally three others, until he had exhausted the purse of gold he had in the monastery. Having become the Roman Pontiff, since he was accustomed to summon twelve poor men daily, one day there appeared to him a thirteenth, who, when asked to reveal his name, replied that this was a wonderful thing. Wherefore he was silent, understanding that he was an angel of God. ^C Being moreover learned in all doctrines and the Scriptures, he left many works composed in the Latin tongue, which were later translated into Greek. Having lived in this way, and having performed various miracles, he departed in peace to the Lord.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE THIRTEENTH DAY. The contest of the holy martyr Alexander.

Saint and glorious martyr of Christ Alexander, in the times of the persecution and amidst the darkness of the error of idolaters, shone like a very bright star with piety in the city of Pydna. ^D When he reproved the madness of the impious, and openly preached Christ, and baptized many of the Greeks who were brought to him, he stirred up against himself the wrath of the pagans, who could barely endure his boldness and his strength in speech. Having therefore made a conspiracy, they seized him, and having subjected him to cruel examination, and having beaten him unsparingly, they urged him to sacrifice to the mindless gods. When they had accomplished nothing, they ordered him to be beheaded. And thus, giving thanks to God, he was struck on the head and delivered his blessed spirit to the Lord; but certain devout Christians collected his precious relics, and preparing them, they buried them.

And the Contest of the Holy Martyr Sabinus

ON THE SAME MONTH The fourteenth day Commemoration of our holy Father Euschemon, bishop of Lampsacus

Our holy Father and confessor of Christ, Euschemon, being well and honestly educated from an early age, became a friend of God; and as he arrived at manhood, he became a temple of the most holy Spirit, choosing the angelic life and zealously pursuing the orthodox faith. ^B And at length, raised to the height of hierarchical honor, he was filled with spiritual grace; and being inflamed with divine zeal, he repressed and broke the heresy of the Iconoclasts. He also performed many great and wonderful miracles: among others, he brought back to life a dead infant, which had been brought to him by its weeping mother, by pouring out a prayer to God. Having become terrible to wild beasts, by his command alone he drove them from the fields where they were causing harm. Finally, having been handed over to custody by the one who then held the empire—an heretical emperor—as a worshiper of the holy icons, he persuaded his very guards themselves to become worshippers of the orthodox faith through his teaching. Wherefore, cast into exile, he met his end.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Satyrus, Saturnilus, Reucatus, Perpetua, and Felicitas, who suffered martyrdom at Rome: and also of Alexander in Pydna.

ON THE SAME MONTH The fifteenth day The contest of the holy martyrs Timolaus, Agapius, and those with them.

These holy and many-time-victorious martyrs of Christ lived under the emperor Diocletian. Agapius indeed was from the city of Gaza; Timolaus was from the Euxine Pontus; one Dionysius and another Dionysius were from the city of Tripoli in Phoenicia; Romulus was a subdeacon of the Church of the Diospolitans. ^C Joining them were two Alexanders from Egypt. In the heat of the persecution, [the love] of Christ...

ignited them, and binding their own hands, they offered themselves of their own accord to the governor who at that time was torturing Christians in the city of Caesarea. And standing before him, they confessed themselves to be Christians. ^A The governor, having exhorted them at length and compelled them to sacrifice, promising to give them gifts and honors if they obeyed, and being unable to persuade them to come over to his will, subjected them to harsh tortures; and after these tortures, he ordered their heads to be cut off with the sword: and thus they delivered their holy souls to the Lord.

Et certamen sancti martyris Nicandri. [The contest of the holy martyr Nicander.] Nicander, martyr of Christ, flourished in the time of the emperor Diocletian. It was his constant work to visit the saints enclosed in prisons, ^B and to minister to them and procure necessary sustenance, and also to bury their remains. Seeing, therefore, the remains of such saints so scattered and neglected, and not daring to approach them by day, lest he himself be caught, he would come by night, carry them off one after another, and deposit them in one and the same place. Having been caught, therefore, by one of the idolaters and betrayed to the governor, he was immediately seized, subjected to tortures, and compelled to deny Christ. But he refused to deny Him, and instead proclaimed Him to be the true God and Creator of all. Wherefore, having moved the governor to anger, he finished his course of life by the sword: and thus having died, he received an eternal crown and a blessed and endless life.

Et certamen sancti Apostoli Nicandri: et commemoratio sancti Joanis in Rufinianis. [And the contest of the holy Apostle Nicander: and the commemoration of the holy John in the Rufinianis.]

EODEM MENSE. [IN THE SAME MONTH.] Die decima sexta. [The sixteenth day.]

Certamen sancti Juliani in Cilicia. [The contest of the holy Julian in Cilicia.] Julian, martyr of Christ, was from the city of Anazarbus, the son of a certain Greek senator, having a Christian mother who taught him the holy Scriptures. ^C When he was in his eighteenth year, he was brought by the idolaters to the city of Aegeae to the governor Marcian and compelled to sacrifice, but he refused to obey. Wherefore the executioners, violently opening his mouth, poured in wine and meat offered to idols. Then he was cast into prison, and his mother was brought in; and being questioned about him, she requested that her son be granted to her for three days, so that she might deliberate with him. This having been done, they were led back to the examination; and when they said that they would in no way deny Christ, they dismissed the mother after piercing her heels, but they cast holy Julian into a sack filled with venomous serpents and sand, and threw him into the sea: from which his remains were cast out at Alexandria and were buried by a certain devout widow.

^A And the commemoration of the holy apostle Aristobulus, one of the Seventy.

Aristobulus, the divine apostle of Christ, was one of the seventy disciples. After the glorious and saving ascension of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, he followed the holy apostle Paul, the great teacher of the world, into every city and region, ministering and serving him as a genuine and faithful disciple. And when that apostle was ordaining bishops and sending them into every region to teach the true faith and to preach Christ, he ordained him also and sent him into the region of the Britons, who were at that time infidel, fierce, and cruel men. As soon as he arrived among them and preached Christ, he was sometimes beaten, sometimes dragged along the ground, and ^B repeatedly exposed to ridicule. Meanwhile, he persuaded many to come to Christ and be baptized. Whence, having established a church and ordained presbyters and deacons within it, he completed his life.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Menignus and Romanus.

The holy Menignus lived during the reign of Decius, and was from the city of Parium. He was a fuller by trade, and providing his own sustenance by the labor of his hands, he assisted the Christians who had been cast into prisons on account of the persecution. He himself also desired to suffer martyrdom for Christ, and he entreated this in his prayers. Wherefore he heard a voice saying to him: "Menignus, come to me, and you will find grace before me." He approached the judge, therefore, and confessed himself to be a Christian. On account of this, having been beaten with rods, and having had the fingers of his hands and feet cut off by the sword, he was beheaded. His venerable remains, buried in the city, provide healing to all the faithful to this present day. But Romanus, since he was a deacon of the Church of Caesarea in Palestine and was teaching the people the faith in Christ, was arrested, and after being tortured with many torments, he received his end on that same day, having been slain by the sword.

And the contest of the holy martyr Papas and the holy martyr Euphrasia: and also the commemoration of the holy Alexander, pope of Rome; and of the holy Trophimus and Thallus.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE SEVENTEENTH DAY.

Commemoration of the holy Alexius, the man of God.

^D This man was from the city of Rome, the son of Euphemianus the patrician, who also compelled him to take a wife. When the marriage had been celebrated, and at the time when he ought to have consorted with his bride, he gave her his nuptial ring and departed from the house; and having set out for the city of Edessa, he remained at the church for eighteen years. Since he was recognized because of his virtue, he withdrew; and returning to Rome, he entered his own house, where, unrecognized, he stayed at the gate, looking upon his father and mother, and being treated with ridicule by his servants: while his parents, as well as his own chaste wife, were suffering and perpetually...

^A weeping for him. When his end was approaching, he asked for paper and wrote down everything concerning himself, and held it in his hand after his death; the emperor Honorius took it and read it for all to hear. Then his story became known. And thus his holy relic was buried in the church of the holy apostle Peter.

The Passion of the Holy Martyr Marinus

Marinus, a martyr of Christ, being a Christian and seeing the pagans sacrificing not only irrational animals, quadrupeds, and birds, but also human beings, was moved to zeal. When a festival was being held for the inanimate ^B idols, he ran and overturned the altar, trampled the sacrifices, and heaped insults upon the impious sacrificers of the idols, confessing himself to be a Christian, saying: "I believe in Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them." Then the idolaters, incensed with anger, seized him, and first they tormented him themselves: one striking him with a club, another breaking his mouth and teeth with a stone, and another pulling out his hair. Then, having bound him, they handed him over to the governor of that region; by whose order he was most miserably beaten with dry ox-tendons, and soon after suspended, his sides scorched, and finally he was beheaded with a sword.

In the Same Month, the Eighteenth Day. Commemoration of our Holy Father Cyril of Jerusalem.

He was born of pious parents during the reign of Constantius. ^C When Maximus, the bishop of Jerusalem, reached the end of his life, this man, deemed worthy of the grace of the episcopate in his stead, took his place and zealously contended for the apostolic dogmas. But Acacius, who was an Arian and held the throne of Caesarea in Palestine, and who had been deposed by the synod of Sardica, since he was an acquaintance of the emperor, having received authority from him, cast Cyril from his seat. He departed to Tarsus and stayed with the admirable Silvanus. When the synod had been assembled at Seleucia, Acacius flew to Constantinople, and persuaded the emperor to punish Cyril with exile. After the death of Constantius, when Julian had obtained the empire and wished to render everyone well-disposed ^D toward himself, he restored Cyril, along with the others, from exile to his own see. So, having governed his flock well, he departed to the Lord.

The Passion of the Holy Seven Women in Amisus

During the reign of the impious Maximian, when a great persecution was stirred up, people of every age who confessed Christ were cut down by different and various kinds of death. When, therefore, even in the city of Amisus, everyone who preached Christ as God was, by the governor of that same city, *an idolater,*

being put to death, seven Christian women, fervent in their zeal, stood before him and confessed themselves to be Christians. Freely reproaching him and calling him a cruel and unjust man, an enemy of the truth, they aroused his anger. Wherefore, first having been stretched out, they were beaten with rods; then their breasts were cut off with iron; soon they were suspended and lacerated for so long that their entrails appeared; finally, they were cast into a huge, fiercely burning furnace of fire, and in it, while chanting and praying, they yielded their souls to God.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The nineteenth day. ^B The contest of the holy Fathers who were killed by the Ethiopians in the monastery of Saint Saba.

These holy Fathers, gathered from diverse places and dwelling in the monastery of our holy Father Saba, served God in ascetic exercise and fair discipline. But the devil, the envious enemy of the human race, being most especially hostile to those who excel in virtue, stirred up against them the godless Ethiopians, who hoped they would find abundant wealth there. But when they had made their incursion and found nothing, they poured their rage upon them; some they slaughtered, others they cut in pieces; they severed the hands of some, and the feet of others; some they stabbed, spilling their entrails; and finally they killed others in various ways. But they, according to their custom, offering thanks and praying, yielded their blessed souls to God in this manner, receiving the eternal life of the kingdom of the heavens, for the sake of which they had endured the long struggles of the ascetic life and the martyrdom of laborious contest.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twentieth day. The contest of the holy Photina the Samaritan, and of her companions.

Saint Photina, who was also the Samaritan woman with whom the Lord spoke at the well, lived in the time of Nero. After the passing of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, she dwelt with her son Joseph in the city of Carthage in Africa, preaching Christ. ^D Her son Victor, having performed well against the Avars, was made a leader of armies, and was ordered to kill the Christians of Galilee. But when he did not kill them, but rather taught them all things pertaining to Christ, and had persuaded Sebastian to believe in Christ, he was seized and bound, and brought together with the others, and presented to the emperor. The emperor gouged out the eyes of some, cast others into prison, and suspended others on wood; from some he flayed the skin, and cut off the virile parts of others. He bound Photina to two trees bent with great force, and releasing them, he rent her in two. The rest were beheaded. But Photina ended her life in prison.

^A And the commemoration of our holy Father Thomas, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Thomas, on account of his surpassing virtue, his extreme prudence, and his piety, was ordained deacon of the Great Church and sacellarius by our holy Father and most great worker of miracles, John, surnamed the Faster, during the reign of the praiseworthy and blessed Maurice. After the death of this John and of Cyriacus, who succeeded him in the episcopate, he was ordained Patriarch of Constantinople, and he held that episcopate for three years and two months. Having contended much against the heresies and having put the heretics themselves to shame, and having established the orthodox doctrine, and having shepherded his flock well and to the good pleasure of God, and having instructed the pious emperors excellently, and having appeared venerable to the senate and to the entire priestly order, he was seized by illness, and he flew away to the heavens, rejoicing and exulting, as was fitting.

ON THE SAME DAY. The twenty-first. Commemoration of our holy Father Benedict, archimandrite of Rome.

This man came from the city of Rome, and was called Blessed. While still a boy, he left his home and parents and went out into a desert place with his nurse, an elderly woman, and lived a quiet life; and through prayer he received from God the gifts of healing. For when he was first made abbot at the request of the monks, he soon became hated by them on account of his strict abstinence, and he was plotted against with poisonous drink. Yet when he received the cup and made the sign of the cross over it, the glass dissolved like salt. Later, he performed many other miracles as well. When he was about to depart to the Lord, two pious monks appeared to him in a dream, seeing a path extending from the earth to heaven, spread with precious robes and shining with lamps lit on either side. And when they asked whose path this was, a man adorned in white raiment appeared to have answered: "This is the way of Benedict." And in this manner he finished his life and went to heaven.

And the commemoration of our holy Father James the Younger, who was a bishop.

James, the holy one, chose the ascetic life from his tenderest years; and having become a monk, he first purified himself through fasting, vigils, and other hardships, and especially through the meditation of the sacred Scriptures and steady prayers to God. Later, he was deemed worthy of the episcopal dignity. But during the times of the impious Iconoclasts, being greatly provoked by them to renounce the worship of the holy and venerable icons—and since he refused to do so—he endured many temptations; he underwent unbearable exiles, hunger, thirst, and many other things which the impious devised against him, and he stood firm. Finally, throughout these many tortures...

worn by various torments and afflictions, he surrendered his blessed soul into the hands of God; and because he had fought generously even unto death, he attained the heavenly kingdom and exults with Him forever. ^A

Et commemoratio sancti Berylli episcopi Catanæ.

The Commemoration of Saint Beryllus, Bishop of Catana.

Our holy Father Beryllus was of Syrian Antioch, having become a disciple of the holy apostle Peter, by whom he was ordained Bishop of Catana in Sicily. ^B Having shepherded the flock excellently and led them into the pastures of salvation, and having brought many of the infidels to the faith of Christ, he was rendered worthy of the gift of many miracles; of which it is necessary to mention one here. There was a fountain near that place containing very bitter water, which, by pouring out prayers to God, he transformed into sweet drink. When a certain Greek, most fanatically addicted to idolatry, saw this, he believed in Christ, and with him many others. When he had performed other not infrequent miracles, and had reached a deep old age, he migrated to the Lord, having obtained eternal life from Him. But his venerable relics, honorably interred in that island, confer health even to this day upon all who approach them with faith. ^C

EODEM MENSE. Die vicesima secunda

Of the Same Month. The Twenty-Second Day.

The Commemoration of Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia.

The blessed Artemon had Seleucia as his fatherland and city, seeing that he was born and educated in it. When, however, the blessed Paul came there, he became his disciple; and afterwards, he was the bishop of the same city of Seleucia, a teacher of the people, and a herald of the truth. Wherefore, having performed many miracles, he converted not a few from among the idolaters from their error to the Lord, and made them Christians through divine, most august, and saving baptism. After these things, piously and as it was pleasing to God, directing the flock entrusted to him and governing the Church, he became a harbor of salvation for all who were in need, a defender of widows, a protector of orphans, and a guide of beggars and the poor. Exercising himself in these works, and serving God in all things, he migrated to Him with joy in deep old age, having obtained eternal life. ^D

Et certamen sacrosancti martyris Basilii presbyteri Ancyranorum Ecclesiæ.

And the Contest of the Most Holy Martyr Basil, Presbyter of the Church of Ancyra.

EODEM MENSE. Die vicesima tertia

Of the Same Month. The Twenty-Third Day.

The Contest of the Most Holy Martyr Nicon and his one hundred and ninety-nine companion martyrs.

This man lived in the times of the prefect Quintianus, born in the region of Neapolis, of a Christian mother, but of a Greek father. When he was serving as a soldier, and a dangerous struggle was imminent, he groaned heavily,

and saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, God of my mother, help me," he performed feats worthy of a brave man. ^A Afterwards, having returned and informed his mother of his purpose, and being instructed by an angel appearing to him, he departed for Mount Ganus. Having found a bishop there in a cave, he was baptized by him, and remained there for ten years, and was ordained bishop by him. Thereafter, the bishop also entrusted to him one hundred and ninety-nine monks; and thus his life was completed. But knowing by revelation that the mountain was about to be destroyed by the Gentiles, he took the monks and departed for Mitylene, then for Italy. Where his mother, having found him, and embraced him, immediately died. ^B Having left for Mount Tauromenium, he lived there with his disciples. And the governor, sending and laying hold of them, beheaded them.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Dometius.

Dometius, the martyr of Christ, was indeed during the tyranny of Julian the Apostate, from the region of Phrygia. But seeing many who were attached to the tyrant, and daily renouncing Christ and worshipping idols, he was deeply troubled, and anxious in spirit, and saddened with great grief. Therefore, on a certain day, when horse races were being held and sacrifices being offered to the unclean demons, he could not contain himself, but inflamed with divine zeal, he went into the middle of the theater, and with a loud voice anathematized the apostate Julian, and spat upon the idol-worshippers, and mocked the falsely-named gods. ^C Having been seized, therefore, and bound securely, he was delivered to the governor, and having endured many tortures, he was shut up in prison. And after a few days he was brought out of the prison, and compelled to deny Christ, and as he did not consent, his sacred head was cut off with a sword.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day.

The Contest of the Holy Thirty-Five Martyrs of Caesarea.

These holy thirty-five martyrs of Christ also flourished in Caesarea of Palestine: who after the decree was sent forth by the impious and lawless Julian, ordering Christ to be denied, and the gods of the Greeks to be worshipped, were not only not persuaded to do this, ^D but also having assumed noble boldness, and going about through the whole city, they said with a loud voice: "Let Christ alone, as the true God, be honored and worshipped; but let the gods who did not make heaven and earth perish with all who worship them." Having been seized, therefore, by the idol-worshippers, they were delivered to prison, and having been brought before the apostate from Christ, Julian, by the lawless order of that man their heads were eagerly cut off, and they flew up to Christ, whom they had desired from infancy and had never denied; and thus they obtained the reward of immortality.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Twenty-Fifth Day

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Twenty-Sixth Day

And the contest of the holy martyrs Philemon and Domnus. Philemon and Domnus, martyrs of Christ, were natives of the city of Rome. In the time of persecution, having journeyed into the province of Italy, they preached Christ, and having converted many of the unbelievers by their doctrine from the error of idols to the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, they baptized them. For this reason, having stirred up the idolaters to anger, they were seized and

^A bound with chains, and delivered to the governor of the province. The governor, upon seeing them, first attempted through flattery to draw them away from the faith of Christ, promising them honors and gifts of great value. Afterwards, when he saw that they counted all things as nothing and invoked only Christ, he ordered them stripped and stretched out on the ground by their four limbs, and cruelly beaten, that they might be forced to sacrifice to the idols. But when he could not persuade them, he shut them up in prison; and having later led them out of prison, and punished them again inhumanly, he beheaded them.

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Callinicus and Basilissa.

Callinicus and Basilissa, martyrs of Christ, lived during the reign of Decius in the province of Galatia. Since Basilissa abounded in wealth, she would give money to Callinicus to go to the prisons and provide food to the Christians detained there, so that they might pray for her, and that she might make them ^B ready for martyrdom, that they might not fail in their tribulations. On a certain day, therefore, Callinicus was seized, and being asked of what religion he was, not knowing how to lie, he confessed. Having been bound, he was delivered to the governor. Holy Basilissa was also caught and presented before the tribunal. Both of them, freely confessing Christ, were first tortured with various torments, being pressed to deny Christ and sacrifice to the idols. But, as they could not be persuaded, their sacred heads were cut off with a sword; and thus, having ^C excellently conquered the devil, they received the kingdom of heaven.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE 27TH.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Philetus the Senator, and his wife Lydia, and their children.

These lived under the Emperor Hadrian. Therefore, the blessed Philetus was seized and presented to the emperor. But the emperor, being unable to resist the wisdom of the martyr, delivered him to the duke Amphilochius, who immediately hung both up on timbers and tore them. Soon he cast them into prison along with Cronides the jailer, who had already believed. But at night, as they were chanting psalms and praying, angels came ^D and encouraged them for their struggles. On the following day, the tyrant said to the saints standing before him: "Many torments are prepared for you." Then he cast them into a bronze cauldron, heated and filled with oil and resin. But they, having made the sign of the cross, cooled the cauldron. The duke, seeing this, believed in Christ and cast himself into the cauldron, saying: "Lord, help me." Then a voice came down from heaven: "I have heard your prayer; come up to me with joy." The emperor, seeing them come forth unharmed, departed; but they, having prayed, made an end of living.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Manuel and Theodosius.

Manuel and Theodosius, martyrs of Christ,

^A coming from the region of the Orient, and seeing the Christians daily being slaughtered by the idolaters, agreed among themselves to act freely, and to die for Christ. Therefore, having gone forth—or rather, having gone forth of their own accord—to the governor of the region, who was at that time examining many of the Christians and slaughtering them, they stood before him and with boldness proclaimed Christ, and confessed themselves to be Christians; they astonished not only those who were present, but the governor himself by their courage and boldness. Then, having been seized, they were cast into prison; and after a few days the governor, having brought them out of the prison, compelled them to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols. But as he did not persuade them, having tortured them severely, and having hung them upon wooden stakes, and having lacerated their sides, he then took them down from the wood, and having placed them upon sharp thorns, at last he beheaded them.

And the contest of the holy hieromartyr Codratus

Codratus the hieromartyr, being a bishop, and having been expelled ^B by the idolaters from the city in which he had been ordained, and having received an interdiction not to teach in the name of Christ if he wished to live, not only did not cease to do this, but even going around the whole city, whoever he found as catechumens he baptized; and he visited those held in the prisons, not only Christians, but also unbelievers; and some he rendered more prompt to persevere in the faith of Christ, while others he exhorted by his teaching to abandon the idols, saying to them: "Since you are about to die, being put to death by those who cast you into this prison, ^C bestir yourselves to die for Christ, that you may obtain the good things laid up there." Recognized, therefore, by the idolaters, and seized, after many tortures and sufferings, he was put to death by the sword: and thus finishing his life, he departed to Christ.

And the contest of the holy Stephen the Confessor

Stephen the confessor of Christ was, during the reign of Leo the Armenian, a monk adorned with all virtues, and also made superior of the monastery of Triglia at the request of the monks, where he helped many by his institutions, and offered them pure to God. But afterwards, when the aforementioned impious emperor had moved a heresy ^D against the holy and venerable images, and had raised a bitter persecution against the orthodox, he himself was also summoned and compelled to abjure the adoration of the holy images, and to subscribe against the orthodox faith. And when he refused to do so, but even called those who compelled him to this act impious, having been tormented by many tortures beforehand and held in custody, he was finally deported into exile; and having been overtaken by illness in his exile, he joyfully departed to the Lord, for whom he had endured many long labors.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-eighth day.

^A 32 The Contest of Saint Matrona of Thessalonica.

Matrona, a martyr of Christ, was from the city of Thessalonica, and was the slave of a Jewish woman whose husband was the stratopedarch (military governor) of Thessalonica. Following her mistress as far as the synagogue of the Jews, she would not enter it, but turning away, would depart to the church of the Christians and pray there. Having been discovered by her mistress, she was beaten severely and was shut up in prison. After remaining there for many days, macerated by lack of food, she was brought out and scourged mercilessly, and was forcefully compelled to deny Christ. But when she would not be persuaded, she was cast into prison again, where she gave up her soul to God. Her mistress threw her corpse from the wall, but the Christians took it up and buried it by night. Later, when Alexander the bishop had built a church within the city of Thessalonica in the name of the saint, he deposited them there.

The contest of the holy apostle Herodion, one of the Seventy.

Herodion, the apostle of Christ, was one of the seventy disciples. Following the holy apostles, he assisted them in the preaching of Christ, serving them in all things, and being in subjection to them as a disciple of Christ, mindful of the words: "Whoever wishes to be first of all, let him be the servant of all, and the minister of all." After this, he was ordained by them as bishop of the city of New Patras, and he converted many of the Greeks to the Lord by his teaching. But the Jews, envying him, conspired with the idolaters, and having seized him, they vexed him with most grievous tortures; some striking him, others smashing his mouth with stones, and others beating his head with clubs. Finally, the lawless ones, like fierce and bloodthirsty beasts, slaughtered that illustrious ram with a sword, and thus he delivered his blessed soul to the Lord, for whom he endured a violent death.

33 And the commemoration of our holy Father Hesychius.

Hesychius, our Father among the saints, was both born and bred in Jerusalem; having studied all Scripture to the highest degree, he became rich in knowledge of God. Therefore, having withdrawn and become a monk, he lived in the deserts, going from one holy father to another, ^D and gathering the flowers of virtue from each one, like a laborious bee. Because it was not possible for such a virtue to remain hidden, he was constrained by the archpriest of Jerusalem of that time and was ordained a presbyter. And remaining at the tomb of the Lord and in other places where our Lord Jesus Christ endured his holy passion for our sake, he drew from the fountains of knowledge and wisdom. Whence he interpreted and expounded all Scripture, and set it forth for the benefit of many. Thenceforth, becoming renowned and wondrous to all, he […].

^A having served God most perfectly, joyfully hastened to Him.

And the commemoration of our holy Father Hilarion, abbot of the monastery of Pelecetes: as also of Martin, bishop of the Arethusians, and of Cyril the Deacon. IN THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-ninth day. The contest of the holy martyrs Jonas and Barachisius.

In the reign of the great Constantine, these men were. Being monks, they went into Persia; and finding there nine holy martyrs locked in prison, they encouraged them to contend bravely. Wherefore, having been apprehended and brought before the princes of the Persians, they were compelled to deny Christ. But as they could by no means be persuaded to do so, Jonas was the first to be bound according to the law of the Persians: for it is the custom of the Persians, if they are to subject anyone to scourging, to lay him upon the ground and bind his hands and feet to a piece of wood. He, however, like an immovable stone, received the blows while he was being struck with rough rods; and finding him still whole, they cast him forth and exposed him for the whole night to the frozen ice. Then they cut off the fingers of his hands and feet, and having compressed him into a vice, ^B they sawed him in half, and cast him into a pit; and thus he ended his life. Barachisius, however, was dragged naked through thorns, and cast into a vice, and when boiling pitch was poured into his throat, he finished his life.

And the commemoration of the holy Confessor Acacius.

Our holy Father Acacius, the confessor of Christ, lived during the reign of the wicked Decius. And when he was preaching Christ, he was seized by idolaters: and being bound, he was brought to Marcianus, the prefect of the region, before whom he stood and confessed the name of the Lord. He discoursed concerning the Divinity, and concerning the dispensation of Christ, and concerning the Cherubim and Seraphim; he mocked the gods of the Greeks and refuted their error. Wherefore, having been most grievously tortured, he was cast into prison. Meanwhile, Marcianus transmitted reports concerning him to the emperor Decius, who commanded that the holy man should be released without injury or torture. Released in this manner, carrying the stigmata of Christ in his flesh, enlightening many and leading them to the flock of Christ, being highly renowned for his miracles and teachings, he rested in peace. ^C

And the memory of our holy Father Eustathius, bishop of Bithynia. IN THE SAME MONTH. The thirtieth day. The contest of the holy Marcus, bishop of the Arethusians.

When the Christian religion was spreading widely during the reign of Constantine the Great, Marcus, bishop of the Arethusians, having overturned a temple of idols, built a church. When

^A the Great Constantine died, and Julian the Apostate, by the permission of God, took hold of the empire, the idolaters, having regained their courage, and bearing anger against the holy Marcus, seized him, and having bound his feet with ropes, they dragged him along beating him. Then, having smeared him with honey and brine, they hung him from ropes at a height, it being summer and intensely hot, that he might be devoured by bees. But when they saw him remain unyielding, they changed their counsel, took him down from the torture, released him, and henceforth held him in the place of a teacher, deeming his patience a miracle, and even asking forgiveness for their deed. Having escaped death in this manner, and having well shepherded his flock for the remaining time of his life, he rested in extreme old age.

And the contest of the holy deacon Cyril and many others

Cyril the deacon was in a city of Phoenicia; and because he himself, during the time of Constantine the Great, had smashed many idols, he was seized during the reign of Julian by the idolaters and suffered a violent death. For having cut open his belly, they devoured his liver, and drank his blood like dogs; and immediately their teeth fell out, and their tongues rotted away, and their eyes were blinded. The martyr, having finished his contest, ascended rejoicing into the heavens. On that same day, in the cities of Ascalon and Gaza, the idolaters seized a multitude of Christians—virgins, women, monks, and men consecrated to God—and having split open their bellies with swords and filled them with barley, they set them before swine for food. And while their bodies endured such tortures, their holy souls were deposited into the hands of the living God.

And the commemoration of our holy Father John of the Ladder

Our holy Father John of the Ladder, when he was sixteen years old, offered himself to God as a most holy sacrifice, having ascended Mount Sinai; and after nineteen years, he gave himself over to silence, five miles from the main monastery in a place called Tholas. He spent forty years in the love and desire to serve God, given to fasting, weeping, and prayer; he partook of sleep only as much as was necessary so that the essence of his mind would not be harmed by vigilance. Thus, having practiced every virtue and lived well, and having surpassed in virtue all the monks struggling for God on that mountain, and having been deemed worthy of the greatest gifts and visions from God, he composed many soul-benefiting discourses and wrote a book, entitled the *Ladder*, because it hands down in order the ascent of the virtues, and he finally ended his life.

And the contest of the holy thirty-eight martyrs

During the reign of the impious Julian, these holy thirty-eight martyrs were serving as soldiers in the region of Cappado

Cappadocia. ^A And having heard of the noble endurance of the holy forty martyrs of Christ, and how they struggled, defeated the devil, and were crowned, they themselves also became zealous, and casting down their arms before the governor, they confessed with a loud voice that Christ is the true God, and themselves his true servants. Then they were seized and stripped of their clothing, and their flesh was so flayed by the beating of rods that they could scarcely be recognized as having human form. Afterward, they were thrown into prison without any care, and a little later were brought out, their hands bound behind their backs and their heads burdened with iron collars, and brought before the governor; and because they remained steadfast in their holy purpose and were longing for a glorious death for the sake of Christ, by the command of the governor they were beheaded. ^B

And the commemoration of the holy prophet Jodad.

When Jeroboam, the servant of Roboam the son of Solomon, had revolted together with the ten tribes from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and having rejected the true God, had made golden calves and worshipped them with all his people, this prophet was sent to rebuke him on God's behalf. He came therefore and rebuked him. But Jeroboam stretched out his hand to strike him; but he saw it withered. Soon, led to repentance, he earned the favor of the prophet to heal it. When he had done this, he urged him to eat bread: but he could not induce him to do so, because it was forbidden to him by God. But as he was returning, a certain false prophet met him and compelled him to enter his house and eat bread. ^C Because of which transgression, a lion meeting him on the way killed him. When the false prophet learned of this, he went and, having taken his remains, buried them.

And the commemoration of our holy Father John, patriarch of Jerusalem.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The thirty-first day.

The contest of the holy martyrs Abdas the bishop, and Benjamin the deacon.

This man flourished in Persia during the reign of Theodosius the Younger. ^D But after he destroyed a temple of fire, he was seized and brought before the king; who at first urged him with great gentleness to rebuild the temple. But when he said that it was impossible for this to be done, he sent out a mandate and destroyed all the churches of the Christians. Hence, the persecution against the Christians took its beginning, by which every age of the faithful was taken away by various torments; of whom the first, the most holy Abdas, finished his life by the sword. Afterward, for thirty entire years, many martyrs were manifested, among whom were wealthy men, who after various tortures were beheaded. Then also Benjamin the deacon, after he had received twenty sharp reeds fixed under his nails, and another into his member

and inserted into his private parts, he yielded up his blessed spirit.

IN THE MONTH OF APRIL. THE FIRST DAY.

Our holy mother Mary was formerly a harlot, destroying many souls of young men through the way of carnal intercourse, and persisting for seventeen years in Egypt in the shameful trade of her body. But later, she gave herself to God in this manner: When some were departing for Jerusalem to worship the precious Cross, she went also. But being forbidden by an angel from entering the temple and from worshipping the precious Wood, she was grieved. But when she had promised to serve God, she obtained entry. Then, having bidden farewell to the Theotokos, she crossed the Jordan and struggled in the desert for forty-seven years, seeing no human being. But God, wishing to manifest her, arranged for the holy Zosimas to enter the desert, that he might receive from her a secret account of her affairs, and returning (as one who crossed the Jordan by walking upon the waters), ^B he might bring the divine communion and offer it to her. And visiting her again, he found her dead, read her name written upon a shard, and buried her, with the help of a lion.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The second day. ^C The struggle of the holy martyrs Apphianus and Ædesius.

Apphianus and Ædesius, martyrs of Christ, were brothers by the same mother, originating from the region of Lydia during the reign of Maximian. When they came to Berytus, they were taught the faith in Christ by the martyr Pamphilus. Whence, having been apprehended, they were brought before the governor of the city. And Apphianus first, preaching Christ openly and freely, was struck in the face and, falling to the ground, was trodden under the feet of the soldiers; and being hung upon wood, he was swollen and burst asunder by kicks. Yet, still remaining steadfast in his confession of Christ, he was cast into the depths of the sea, and there he finished his life. But Ædesius, having been condemned to be punished in the copper mines, was sent to Alexandria. And one day, seeing the governor of the city raging fiercely against the Christians there, he ran up and struck him with a rod. Whence, having first been vexed by many tortures, he was at last cast into the sea and finished his martyrdom.

And the struggle of the holy martyr Polycarp.

This holy Polycarp was also a martyr of Christ during the reign of the impious and iniquitous Maximian, from the city of Alexandria. Being a Christian and burning with great zeal for God, and seeing every day those who confessed the faith of Christ being apprehended ^D

^A and examined with multiple torments, he could not bear it any longer. Therefore, seeing the governor sitting before the tribunal, pouring out the blood of men like water, he stood before him and rebuked him, saying: "Why have you so forgotten human nature, O insatiable dog, that you hack to pieces men who are of the same nature as you, like wood with swords, because they preach the true God and expose the error of idols; as I also do, who am a servant of Christ?" Therefore, having stirred the governor into a rage, he was seized and cruelly tortured; and carrying Christ in his mouth until the end of his life, he was beheaded.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The third day. ^B

The contest of the holy martyr Theodosia the virgin.

Theodosia was a martyr of Christ from the city of Tyre. When she was in her eighteenth year, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and brought before the governor of Palestine; and being questioned, she confessed Christ. Wherefore she was struck in the sides and breasts. But being commanded to deny Christ and sacrifice to idols, since she could not be persuaded to do so, she was thrust into prison; and a mandate was given to the jailer that he should not only guard her diligently, but that he should not permit anyone to enter to visit her or to bring her food, until she should deny Christ and sacrifice to the so-called gods. When many days had already passed, she was led out of prison, and when she was again compelled to sacrifice to the impure demons—and she would not even hear of this—she was first cruelly tortured; then, being thrown into the sea, she rendered her spirit to the Lord.

^C

The contest of the holy women Irene, Agape, and Chionia.

Irene, Agape, and Chionia were martyrs of Christ under the Emperor Maximian, from the city of Thessalonica. When, because of the persecution, they had left all things, they withdrew to a certain mountain, and there lived a quiet life, fasting and offering prayers assiduously to God. But being discovered and apprehended, they were brought before the governor, by whom they were commanded to deny Christ, but they did not agree. Wherefore he burned Agape and Chionia with fire. ^D Finding Irene with the sacred books which the holy women had been accustomed to read, he burned those, but he ordered her to be taken to a brothel, that she might be defiled by the profligate. But protected by the grace of God, she was preserved inviolate, with no one daring to approach her. When the governor understood this, he ordered her to be brought before him again, urging her to desert Christ. But when she refused to do so, he also delivered her to the fire. And thus were consummated the three martyrs of Christ, having attained the kingdom of heaven.

And the memory of our holy Father and confessor Nicetas.

^A Nicetas, our father among the saints and confessor of Christ, lived by the permission of God during the reign of the Iconoclasts. From his childhood, according to the commandment of Christ, he left behind father, mother, brothers, sisters, kinsmen, his home, his country, and his wealth, and taking up his cross eagerly, he followed Christ, having become a worthy disciple of His. For when he had retired to the monastery of Medicius, he strove after virtue with such intensity that he excelled all the monks who were there. He was also deemed worthy of the gift of miracles. On account of his virtue, at the request of the monks, he became their hegumen and rightly presided over his flock. But since the time of his martyrdom was approaching, those sent by the Iconoclasts arrived and summoned him, and compelled him to renounce the veneration of the venerable icons and to join their heresy. Since they were unable to persuade him, they subjected him to exile, famine, and other hardships, and thus put him to death.

And the memory of the holy Joseph, the writer of canons.

^B The holy Joseph, the writer of canons, was from Sicily, the son of Plutinus and Agatha. When his native land was captured by the race of the Africans, he came to Thessalonica, and having entered a certain monastery, and having become a monk, he contended in his struggle, diligently exercising himself in the meditation of the divine Scriptures. Having thus been ordained a presbyter, he came to Constantinople with Gregory the Decapolite. Being then sent to Rome on account of the heresy of the Iconoclasts, he was seized by the Saracens, taken captive to Crete, and thrust into prison. After the death of Theophilus the Iconoclast, having been delivered from prison by the aid of Saint Nicholas, he returned again to Constantinople; where, having been subjected to calumnies and slanders, he was relegated to Cherson. ^C Recalled from there, he went again to Byzantium, and became the custodian of the sacred vessels of the Great Church. Being enlightened with the gifts of God, after he had honored many saints with canons, or hymns, he passed from this life.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE FOURTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyrs Agathopodes and Theodulus.

Agathopodes, the most sacred deacon, and Theodulus, the most religious reader, the martyrs of Christ, were from the city of Thessalonica. Being seized on account of their faith in Christ by the idolaters, they were brought before the ruler of the city and were compelled to offer sacrifice to the idols. Because they refused to do so, they were cast into prison, in which that same night they both had this vision. They seemed to themselves to board a ship and sail upon the sea; but a great tempest of waves having been raised, they saw the ship broken in pieces, and those sailing in it submerged in the sea; yet they themselves alone safely escaped, and

^A ascended a high mountain. And the vision portended their perfection by the sea, and their ascent to heaven. For in the morning, when the governor had brought them out of prison, he commanded them to sacrifice to the idols; but as they could by no means be induced to do so, he ordered them to be cast into the depths of the sea: and thus they were perfected. ^B

ON THE SAME MONTH. The fifth day.

Contest of the holy martyr Pherbutha and her companions.

Pherbutha, the martyr of Christ, after the contest and death of her brother Simeon the bishop, living quietly in her house together with her sister and handmaid, taught those who approached her the faith in Christ. But the Jews were jealous, and taking this ill, provided an occasion, and plotted their slaughter in this manner. The wife of Sapor, king of the Persians, was a protector of the Jews: but at that time she was using ill health. Therefore the Jews approached her, and slandered the holy ones, saying thus: "Because Simeon the bishop was killed by your husband, his sisters are trying to destroy you by magic arts. If, however, you desire to recover your former health, command them to be sawed in two, and their dissected limbs to be hung up: then do you pass through them, and thus you will escape safe and sound." This having been performed, the holy martyrs of Christ attained the kingdom of heaven: but the queen not only did not recover her health, but she obtained hell as her lot. ^C

ON THE SAME MONTH. The sixth day.

Memory of our holy Father Eutychius, Archbishop of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Eutychius was born in the region of Phrygia, during the reign of Justinian the Great. He was excellently educated by Hesychius the presbyter and wonderworker, his own grandfather, and having been thoroughly versed in the holy scriptures by constant meditation and study, he was taken in by the bishop of Amasea: and having been initiated first as a monk, then as a presbyter, he led a tranquil life in the monastery of Saint Meletius. But when the fifth council was gathered by Justinian, and the bishop of Amasea was detained by ill health, Eutychius was sent in his stead, who so excelled in the council that the Patriarch Menas said: "This man will be my successor." And so, in very deed, after his death, he was elected patriarch. But when he had fallen into the hatred of the emperor, he was driven into exile. But after the death of Justinian, he received his see again from Justin and Tiberius. And when he had already performed many miracles, and by his prayers had checked the onset of a deadly and great pestilence, and had also predicted the death of Tiberius, just as he had earlier predicted his reign, he departed from this life, and was buried in the church of the holy apostles. ^D

And the contest of the holy hundred and fifty martyrs crowned in Persia. Sapor the impious king of the Persians, against the Roman

^A dominion during the time of the Roman emperor Constantius (God allowing this on account of the incited heresy of the senseless Arius, who had persuaded the emperor himself, through Eusebius the praepositus who was an Arian, to think the same as he did), having made an incursion and having destroyed many forts and regions, led away many captives from the Christians; of whom some were slaughtered, and others perished on the way. Only one hundred and fifty survived, who were deported into Persia, bound in chains, and cast into prison, where they were afflicted for many days with incessant hardships. But when at some point Sapor was free from his vain occupations, and had lit a great pyre of wood, he brought the holy men out of the prison and compelled them to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the fire. Because he could not persuade them, he ordered them to be thrown into the fire, and thus they were perfected. ^B

IN THE SAME MONTH The seventh day Memory of our holy Father George, bishop of Mitylene.

Holy and God-bearing Father George, a most fervent confessor of Christ, was the son of noble, wealthy, and pious parents; he, hating their riches but embracing piety, and despising nobility and glory for the sake of his love and longing for Christ, went away into a monastery and became a monk, in which he achieved many other virtues, but especially almsgiving. For the whole day, according to that Davidic saying, he ceased not to show mercy and lend. Therefore, by the pleading of the clergy, he was ordained bishop of the ^C church at Mitylene, retaining in that office the same mercy in giving alms that he had previously displayed. And when later the heresy of the Iconoclasts arose, he was its most bitter enemy, but a most fierce champion of the orthodox religion. For he, revering and worshipping the holy images, taught others also to honor them. But when he had already performed many miracles, he was made certain of his future death by a revelation, a divine star portending it; and thus he migrated to the Lord. ^D

And the contest of the holy martyr Calliopius.

Calliopius, martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Maximian, born in the region of Pamphylia, the son of a certain Theocleia, a Christian woman of wealth. Having been piously and religiously raised by his mother, he was occupied in the constant meditation of the divine Scriptures. When a persecution was stirred up, he departed of his own accord to Pompeiopolis, where he stood before the governor Maximus and freely confessed Christ. His hands were therefore bound behind his back, and having been cruelly beaten, he was cast into prison, into which his mother also entered, and she wiped away his blood with a sponge: for having distributed all her wealth to the poor, she had followed her son. But he was led out of prison and condemned to be crucified: being a sharer in Christ not only in the passion and the torments, but also in the days

^A in which He suffered. For it was the fifth day of the Great Week on which he was crucified. But his mother, giving the executioners five pieces of gold, begged them not to crucify her son in the same way Christ was crucified, but head downwards. And thus, being crucified at the third hour of the Preparation, he gave up the spirit; and his mother, rushing upon him, likewise gave up her soul.

47 And the contest of the holy martyrs Rufinus the deacon ^B and his companions.

When a grave persecution against the Christians had been stirred up under the impious emperor Maximinus, whoever confessed Christ was seized by the idolaters and, after being tormented with many tortures, was finally delivered unto death. At that time there was Saint Rufinus, a deacon of the Church of Christ, who, because he was instructing many in the name of Christ, was cast into chains and thrust into prison. A certain Christian woman, named Aquilina, while visiting him, was likewise seized; and both, having been brought before the governor and subjected to various tortures, whereas they performed many wonders, brought it about that two hundred of the soldiers who were present embraced the faith of Christ. Wherefore the governor, becoming immediately enraged, ordered all of them to be put to the sword. Then the executioners having bound them, led them to the place of execution; and they beheaded them all, while they gave thanks to God until the end.

OF THE SAME MONTH. EIGHTH DAY. ^C

The contest of the holy martyr Pausilypus.

Pausilypus, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of the impious and iniquitous Hadrian. Being denounced because he worshipped Christ and taught in His name, he was seized and cast into chains, and brought before the emperor. Standing before him, he was asked if he confessed Christ to be God. With free confidence of soul, he proclaimed Him the true God and Creator of the universe. He was delivered to the prefect of the region of Europe, and was beaten with rods so unsparingly that three hundred blows were cruelly inflicted upon him. Having been delivered from this torture, he was again ordered to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols. As he would not do this, he was bound in chains and brought to the place of execution, that he might there be beheaded. ^D But his bonds having been broken on the way, he took flight and was delivered from perishing by the sword. Having escaped to a certain place, he remained there, offering continual prayers to God, and with a glad soul he rendered his life, having fulfilled his martyrdom, unto God, having obtained an unfading crown and immortal life.

48 And the memory of our holy Father Celestine, pope of Rome.

Our holy Father Celestine, in the reign of Theodosius the Younger, flourished in the Roman Church, occupied in the practice of every virtue and in the meditation of the Divine Scriptures. After the death

^A of the holy bishops Innocent, Boniface, and Zosimus, he was ordained Pope of great Rome. Since his doctrine also corresponded to his life, he showed himself venerable and admirable to all, in many things indeed, but especially in the exposition and dissertation of the right dogmas. For, striving together with the holy Cyril, by means of a dogmatic letter full of orthodoxy, which he sent from the city of Rome to the synod in Ephesus, he overthrew the impious Nestorius and cast him out of the Church of the orthodox, as he was blaspheming against the Son of God and against the holy Theotokos. Thereafter, by other decrees also, he delivered the Churches of the East from this most pestilential plague, and having enlightened many, he departed in peace.

ON THE SAME MONTH. 9th Day. The contest of the holy martyr Badimus the Archimandrite.

^B Saint Badimus was from the region of the Persians, the son of wealthy parents; when they had ended their lives, he distributed all his wealth to the poor, went away to a monastery, and there became a monk, and later an archimandrite. Preaching Christ, he brought many to Him and baptized them. When Sapor, the king of the Persians, learned of this, he sent and seized him, together with seven of his disciples, and shut him up in prison. And after four days, Sapor commanded the executioners to bring them out of the prison and behead them. But the holy man, seeing one of the executioners by the name of Nersas, who had previously been a Christian but had denied Christ out of fear, as he was drawing his sword to behead them, groaned and lamented; and he reminded him of the retribution of the day to come. Nersas, beginning to tremble from fear, inflicted four wounds upon the holy man, and in this way, through much violence, he yielded up his spirit. ^C

And the contest of the holy martyrs who attained martyrdom in Persia.

Sapor, the king of the Persians, having set out on an expedition into Roman territory in the fifty-third year of his reign, and having taken by right of war a very populous city, ordered all the soldiers who were in it to be killed; but as for the people unfit for war—namely, the old men, women, children, the bishop Heliodorus, the presbyters, the deacons, and all who were of the clergy—he commanded them to be kept unhurt. But the bishop Heliodorus, when he felt himself near to death, ordained one of the presbyters as bishop in his place. ^D As the glorification was being offered to God in church according to custom, a certain Persian went and reported to Sapor: "Those Christians, O King, to whom life was granted by you, have chosen a prince for themselves, and they reject our religion and despise your authority." Whereupon, having been brought to the king, they were ordered to adore the sun. And when they refused to do so, they were all beheaded.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea

^AEupsychius, a martyr of Christ, was from the region of Cappadocia, under the reign of Julian the Apostate. Having attained an irreproachable life and a simple manner of conduct, he burned with the greatest desire and love for Christ. When he saw the idolaters approaching the temple dedicated to Fortune, and sacrificing therein—to which the apostate Julian, in his belief, was accustomed to offer victims daily—he was kindled with divine zeal. Taking with him other Christians as companions, he went and razed the temple from its foundations, and crushed the idols that were within it. When Julian learned of this, he was vehemently enraged and ordered them all to be arrested. Some of them he deprived of their property and, having afflicted them with various torments, he sent them into exile. As for the martyr Eupsychius, being the author of the crime committed, he first ordered him to be thrust into prison; later, having brought him forth from the prison, he ordered him to be tormented with multiple tortures. Finally, when he was commanded to deny Christ and refused, he was beheaded.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE TENTH DAY.

The Contest of the Forty Holy Martyrs, Terentius, Africanus, and Others

Terentius, a martyr of Christ, was from Africa, under the reign of Decius. When a persecution was stirred up and Christians were being killed, many who had previously taken to flight from fear were arrested and ordered to sacrifice to idols; and because they would not obey, they were cast into prison by the order of the governor of Africa. Then, being led forth from the prison, they were again compelled to desert Christ, and were tortured with many torments. For first they were scourged until their viscera were exposed. Afterwards, they were pierced in the loins with glowing spits, and vinegar mixed with salt was poured into their wounds. But since, by the prayers they poured forth to God, they overthrew the idols, altars, and temples, thirty-six of them were beheaded; but the remaining four, with hands and feet bound, were cast into prison, from which they were later led out and they too were beheaded.

And the Memorial of the Holy Apostle Agabus.

Agabus, apostle of Christ, was endowed by God with many heavenly gifts on account of his virtue and merit; but he especially obtained the prophetic spirit. For, taking the girdle of the great apostle Paul, and binding his own hands and feet with it, he prophesied, saying: "Thus says the Holy Spirit: The man to whom this girdle belongs, the Jews will bind him in this way in Jerusalem, and will scourge him with whips." And so it came to pass just as he had predicted. For when the holy Paul had gone to Jerusalem, the Jews not only cast him into chains, but also attempted to kill him. And this was his first prophecy. Afterwards, he predicted many other things as well. Having truly illuminated with his doctrine and with countless miracles that part of the world which had fallen to his lot, ^D

^A he set the flock entrusted to him toward the knowledge of God, and having overthrown and destroyed the worship of idols, he departed in peace.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE ELEVENTH.

Contest of the holy hieromartyr Antipas, bishop of Pergamon.

Antipas, the adversary of demons, lived during the times of Domitian the king, at the time of the holy apostles, when also John the Theologian was in exile on the island of Patmos. Being bishop of Pergamon, ^B and very advanced in years, he was seized by the idolaters, to whom demons had appeared and said that the place could not be inhabited on account of Antipas. For this reason, having been brought before the governor and compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to idols, and having refused, but rather having refuted the error of the Greeks with the example (for the governor had set forth, as an objection, that the religion of the Greeks is ancient, while that of the Christians is new; and the holy man had replied that Cain also was ancient, and yet a fratricide), he was cast into a brazen bull, heated, and accomplished his martyrdom.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE TWELFTH.

Contest of the holy martyr Artemon.

Artemon, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign ^C of Diocletian, being a presbyter of the holy church in Laodicea. One year before his passing, having entered the temple of the Greeks together with his bishop Sisinnios, he overthrew the idols. And the governor of the region, having learned this from the idolaters, went off to seize the bishop, but was seized by a disease and brought into grave danger of life. He then asked the bishop to offer prayers in his behalf, and promised that if it should happen that he were restored to health, he would erect a golden statue for him. Having regained his health, he set off for Caesarea; and having found Artemon the presbyter on the road, ^D he seized him, dragged him bound, and having led him into the city, cast him into prison. Then he compelled him to deny Christ; and since he could not persuade him, he cut off some members of his body and roasted them on a gridiron. And then he ordered a cauldron to be heated, into which he was to be cast and burned. But two eagles suddenly took hold of the governor and threw him into the cauldron; and the holy man, having lived a little longer, departed in peace.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE THIRTEENTH.

Contest of the holy martyr Crescens.

Crescens, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Myra, venerable no less for his piety than for his old age. Seeing many worshipping idols, he rushed into their midst, exhorting them to detest their error, to draw near to Christ, and thus to be saved.

^A Having learned of this, the governor seized him and, bringing him before his tribunal, asked his lineage, country, and name. He replied nothing else but: "I am a Christian." The governor said: "Sacrifice to the gods at least in outward appearance, and worship your God in your heart and soul." But the saint, refusing this, and with a loud voice confessing Christ and rejecting and despising the idols, was first suspended on the wood and long scraped, and his sides were seared with torches. Afterwards, he was taken down from the wood and again compelled to offer sacrifice to the idols. Since he would not be persuaded, he was cast into a great furnace of fire and rendered his spirit to God.

The Commemoration of our Holy Father Basil the Confessor.

^B Our holy Father Basil loved God from an early age; and having attained every virtue, he was created Bishop of Parium during the times of the impious iconoclasts. Because, following the example of the divine and great apostle of Christ, Paul, he would not consent to the impious heresy of those who despised the venerable images of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his immaculate, glorious, and all-holy Mother, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and of all the saints; and because he refused to subscribe to the iniquitous document [composed] for the subversion of the orthodox faith, he passed his whole life in persecutions, temptations, ^C afflictions, and tribulations, always migrating and fleeing from place to place. And thus, adhering to the institutions of the Fathers and contending for them, and abhorring the assemblies of the heretics until the end, he departed to the Lord.

The Contest of the holy Martyr Eleutherius the Persian.

Eleutherius, martyr of Christ, was a native of the region of Persia. Being a Christian and loving Christ, he went to the holy bishop Simeon, and by him was more perfectly taught the word of truth. Then, returning to his own home, he himself taught others who came to him the things pertaining to the dispensation of Christ: how God, being in need of nothing, willed to become man, that he might save man, ^D and did not change his essence on account of the union with humanity; but remaining whole God, he was made whole man. When the holy Eleutherius taught thus, and converted many from the infidels and baptized them, it became known to the Persians, who worshipped fire, and by them he was denounced to the king. He was therefore seized and brought to the king; who, when he had interrogated him and recognized his constancy, handed him over to the princes of the Magi, commanding them to persuade him to renounce Christ. They, having tormented him with many tortures, and unable to turn him from Christ, cut off his head.

MONTH OF THE SAME. The fourteenth day.

The contest of the holy hieromartyr Simeon and his company.

Simeon, the hieromartyr of Christ, flourished during the reign of Sapor, King of the Persians. When he beheld the lawless deeds of the Persians and could no longer bear their exactions, he wrote to the king, saying: "We are servants of Jesus Christ our God, and we do not suffer to be your tributaries. Do, therefore, what you will." Consequently, by the king’s order, he was brought bound along with his companions. Upon entering, he did not offer him the sign of reverence as he had done before. When asked why he did not render reverence, he replied: "When I was in peace, I was accustomed to reverence the king; but now that I come as a prisoner, I reverence him no more." Furthermore, when a certain prefect, who had previously been a Christian but had later fallen away from Christ, saw him departing, he attempted to embrace him. But being repelled by Simeon, he said: "If Simeon, being a man, looks down on me, how will Christ, whom I have denied, receive and love me?" Learning of this, the king ordered that the prefect himself, along with the bishop, priests, deacons, and others to the number of one hundred and fifty, be beheaded. ^A

And the contest of the holy martyr Phasic, and of his daughter, a nun.

This martyr, when the holy martyrs with the holy Simeon were being beheaded, was present and watching their martyrdom. Seeing a certain priest among them who was about to have his head cut off, and who was fearful and trembling, he said to him: "Do not fear; close your eyes, and Christ will enlighten you." Thus, having been identified as one who held the beliefs of the Christians, he was brought before the king. Being interrogated and having confessed the name of Christ, first his tongue was cut out, and then, after the skin of his whole body was cruelly flayed, he yielded up his soul. He had a daughter who was a Christian nun; the king ordered her to be brought before him and compelled her to renounce Christ and to offer sacrifice to the sun and fire. But when she could not be persuaded to do this, he first ordered her to be stripped, beaten unsparingly with scourges, and burned with torches. Then, having bound her, he tore her with iron claws, and finally cut off her sacred neck with a sword. ^B

And the contest of the holy thousand martyrs, and of Azat the eunuch.

The saving feast of the holy and great Friday being at hand, the Christians who were in Persia were celebrating it and commemorating it with glorious recollection, giving thanks to Christ, because for our salvation He deigned to suffer. Now, after the holy Bishop Simeon had been seized and put to death, and many others with him had been slain (for from the day of Great Friday for ten consecutive days, every Christian who was seized was executed), these holy ones were also seized, and with them Azat the eunuch, who was a man of wealth ^C

^A and first in the palace, very much beloved and held in honor by Sapor. And so, when they were brought before the king and questioned, and having confessed Christ with a confident spirit, they were all executed. But Sapor, moved to repentance by the death of the holy Azat, issued a law that from then on no Christian should be put to death; and for some time this edict was observed.

56 And the contest of the holy martyrs James the presbyter and Aza the deacon.

These holy martyrs also, James the presbyter and Aza the deacon, were in Persia during the time of the persecution of the impious Sapor. But when they preached Christ, the prince of the Magi ordered them to be arrested and thrown into prison, where he tormented them with hunger for many days. After this, he ordered them to be brought out of the prison and into his presence, and impelled them to deny Christ. ^B When they would not comply, he first cast mustard and vinegar into their nostrils; then, having stripped them naked and hung them upon wood for the whole night, he tormented them with the cold. In the morning, while they were still hanging, he ordered them, naked as they were, to be beaten with rods, and to be thrown back into prison. Finally, they were led out of the prison and were beheaded. But when the executioner had gone down to a nearby marsh and washed his sword there, the water of the marsh itself was turned into blood; and it remained so for a long time, and finally it dried up.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The fifteenth day. ^C The contest of the holy martyr Sabas the Goth.

Sabas, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of the Goths, in the reign of the emperor Valentinian. Since he had been a Christian from his youth, he not only abhorred foods sacrificed to idols, but also turned others away who wished to taste them. For instead of those things, he set forth the faith that is in Christ, and having converted many, he baptized them. The idolaters, therefore, rising up against him, forcibly expelled him from the city. But after some time, when Athanaricus, the prince of the Goths, had stirred up a persecution against the Christians, Sabas himself was arrested and beaten with rods. Then he was bound to the axle of a chariot and hung from the beam of a house. ^D And when he refused to taste the foods sacrificed to idols, he was led to a river, and a large piece of wood having been tied to his neck, he was thrown into it and drowned, being in the thirty-first year of his age: and thus he departed eagerly to Christ.

57 And the contest of the holy apostles from the Seventy, Aristarchus, Pudens, and Trophimus.

These three holy apostles of Christ, Aristarchus, Pudens, and Trophimus, being from the seventy apostles, followed the great apostle Paul, themselves also preaching Christ and teaching the word of truth. Together with their master, they were affected by the same hardships and were partners in all his persecutions. Finally at Rome, after his death,

and his departure to our Lord Jesus, they themselves were also beheaded by the command of the mad Nero. All these things the most holy and most blessed man Dorotheus, who was born in Rome, recorded in his commentaries in the Roman dialect; and he left a history written not only concerning these, but also concerning the rest of the apostles and many other saints, as well as the holy prophets. For this saint, by reason of the great felicity of his genius, far surpassed all others in manifold doctrine and learning. ^B

And the contest of the holy martyrs, the women Basilissa and Anastasia.

Basilissa and Anastasia were martyrs of Christ from the great city of Rome, noble and wealthy, and disciples of the holy apostles. But after the death of the latter, when they had taken up their venerable relics by night and given them burial, they were discovered and denounced as Christians to the impious and mad Nero. He immediately sent men who seized them and brought them before him bound in chains, and compelled them to deny Christ. But when he could not persuade them to do so, he ordered that they be thrown into prison. Afterward, he brought them out of prison and tormented them with various tortures. For he ordered first that their breasts be cut off and their tongues amputated; then, that they be suspended and torn, and burned with torches; and finally, that their venerable heads be cut off with swords.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The sixteenth day.

The contest of the holy martyr Leonides and his companions.

These holy martyrs were from the region of Greece. Now Leonides, while he was chanting and celebrating the feast in the church in the presence of a large crowd of people on the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, was seized by the idolaters, bound, and led to Corinth. The remaining men and women, who were from various places, were brought before the governor of the province. They too were seized and shackled, and, joined to the holy Leonides, were thrown into prison. Then, being brought out of the prison, they were again set before the governor of Corinth, and were compelled to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols. But because they were not persuaded, Leonides was suspended from a wooden post and cruelly raked, and his sides were burned with torches; then, having been taken down from the wood, he was, together with his holy companions, cast into the depths of the sea. ^D

And the contest of the holy martyr Irene.

And the holy martyr Irene, during the same time of the holy Pascha and in the same region, while she was glorifying God in her private oratory, together with those who were with her then, was denounced to the governor by impious idolaters. She was therefore seized, bound in chains, and set before him. And being interrogated, she confessed Christ with confidence, as the true God

and as the Savior of all men and the destroyer of idols. ^A Being then seized, she was confined in a dungeon, as the governor was busy with public affairs. When he later had leisure, she was again brought out of prison and lead before him. And after being harshly tormented and suffering many things, she was cruelly tortured; for her tongue was cut out, her teeth were pulled out, and finally her head was severed with a sword.

59 And the contest of the holy martyr Adrian.

Adrian also, a martyr of Christ, was one of those who were seized at that time and pushed into various prisons. But being led out of prison, when a sacrifice was being offered to false gods, and all the Greeks led astray by error were sacrificing, he also was compelled to approach the altar and burn incense. He not only refused to do this but, being strong and noble, he jumped onto the altar, overturned it, scattered the victims placed upon it, and dispersed the fire. ^B Having thus provoked the anger of the governor and inflamed the spirits of the idolaters who were present, he was seized and cruelly beaten; for one man struck him with a rod, another crushed his mouth with a stone, and another struck him on the head. Finally, they cast him into a burning furnace and thus he surrendered his holy soul to the Lord.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The seventeenth day. The contest of the holy martyr Ardalion.

This man, during the reign of Maximianus, was a mime. It pleased him, among other theatrical performances, to exhibit this act as well: he pretended to be a martyr contending for Christ. And when on stage, while being hung and lashed by the one who was representing the tyrant, and being applauded by the spectators for his feigned constancy, he cried out with a loud voice, and having commanded silence, he turned to the people and said: "Do not imagine that I am acting in a play; but in truth consider me a Christian, for I am a Christian." ^C Then the governor, his face changed, first exhorted him to change his mind and not die a shameful death. But when he would not assent, but affirmed he wished to persist in the faith of Christ even to death, a great pyre of wood was kindled, and he was thrown into the midst of it. ^D He accepted the end of this life with joy, dealing a timely wound to the devil.

60 And the memory of our holy Father Agapetus, Pope of Rome.

Our holy Father Agapetus was born in ancient Rome during the reign of Justinian, and because of his exercises in the religious life and other virtues, he ascended to the dignity of the supreme pontificate. He was also illustrious for miracles. For when he once departed from the city of Rome and was sailing for Constantinople,

and had come into Greece, and found there a certain man who was mute and, by reason of infirmity, immobile, he took him by the hand and made him whole. Then, as he was entering the Golden Gate and happened upon a certain blind man sitting there, he laid his hand upon him and restored his sight. Thus did he become so venerable in the eyes of the emperor and the senate that he expelled Anthimus, the bishop of Trapezus, who had illicitly ascended the throne of Constantinople and held the heresy of Eutyches, and in his place ordained the most holy Mennas. Afterwards, having been taken ill, he departed this life and was buried in the temple of the holy Apostles. ^B

The Memory of Saint Anthusa

Saint Anthusa was the daughter of Constantine Caballinus, by whom she was bidden to marry a husband, but she did not consent. Truly, having obtained freedom after his death, she distributed all her wealth: some parts she scattered among the poor, other parts she spent on the construction of churches and monasteries, and other parts she devoted to the redemption of captives, while the golden garments which she herself possessed she converted into the ornament of churches. She was, moreover, a mother to many orphans; for she would gather up abandoned infants, and would educate and instruct them; and those indeed who died she would commend to God, but those who lived she would place in a hospice for the aged. Often, however, being summoned by the most religious Irene and her son Constantine to rule together with them, she steadfastly refused. Finally, having become a nun under Saint Tarasius, she migrated to the Lord in the monastery of Eumenia. ^C

THE SAME MONTH. THE EIGHTEENTH DAY.

The Memory of Saint Cosmas the Confessor

Cosmas, the most holy pontiff and confessor of Christ, took his origin from the city of Constantinople. From his early youth, he pursued God with love, left the world, and departing, became a monk. And when he had purged himself through religious exercises and the remaining virtues, and had become a tabernacle of God, he was ordained bishop of Chalcedon, during the time of the impious iconoclasts. For this reason, on account of the orthodox faith, he sustained many struggles. For, being pressed by those who then held the mastery to deny the veneration of the holy and venerable icons, and not being persuaded, he was cast into exile and endured very many calamities. But having been recalled from exile and compelled to consent to their heresy, since he was unwilling even to hear them, he was subjected to manifold miseries together with Saint Auxentio, with whom he also underwent the same struggles. And thus, having been tempted and having triumphed, he migrated to the Lord. ^D

The Memory of Holy John, Disciple of Saint Gregory the Decapolite

Our holy Father John, from his tenderest years, hated the world; and having embraced Christ with love, he departed to the great Gregory the Decapolite and...

becoming a monk under him, he thereafter lived alongside him, struggling with him and serving God in all things. And he became so famous for his obedience, so compliant in his submission, and so ready for any ministry, that the great Gregory greatly rejoiced in him and glorified God. ^A After the passing of the holy Gregory and his departure to God, he went away into a far and unknown land—for the Lord Himself had acted as a foreigner and been born a stranger among strangers—and he endured much. Then, seeking the holy places, he betook himself to the Laura of the blessed Chariton, and there he dedicated himself to many exercises of virtue. And having thus lived rightly, in peace he emigrated to the God of peace, whom he had loved exceedingly.

^B The contest of the holy martyr Victor and his companions.

At the time when the impious emperor Diocletian stirred up that great and horrible persecution against the Christians, and the holy and many-times-tried martyr of Christ, George, had been seized and subjected to manifold torments, during these very tortures he performed signs far more admirable and greater than human strength, and seeing these miracles, many believed in the Lord. ^C And some of them were immediately beheaded or burned, while others were thrust into prisons to be tortured later. Among these were those holy martyrs of Christ: Victor, Acindynus, Zoticus, Zenon, and Severianus, who, having seen the holy George bound to the wheel and yet in no way harmed, embraced the faith of Christ. Therefore, Diocletian, flaring up with rage, ordered them to be tortured first with various punishments, and when they refused to sacrifice to idols, they were beheaded.

The memory of the holy confessor George.

The holy confessor of Christ, George, also flourished in the days of the iconoclasts. Having from infancy pursued God with love and become a monk, because of the many labors and struggles he endured, he became a temple of the Holy Spirit. ^D Then, being ordained bishop of Antioch, he rightly governed the flock entrusted to him. Thereafter, by the evil counsel of the devil, the heresy of the iconoclasts emerged, and all the bishops were summoned by the emperor through letters to arrive at Constantinople as quickly as possible. He came there as well, desiring to obey kings in accordance with the commandment of Saint Paul. But being ordered to abjure the veneration of the holy images, since he would not consent, he was driven into exile, in which, having endured many hardships for the orthodox faith, he rested in peace.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The nineteenth day. The contest of the holy martyr Christopher and his companions.

These three also, on the same day, with various torments

^A the great martyr George was tormented. There stood by the emperor soldiers bearing spears, and having seen those wonders, they threw down not only their arms, but also their belts, and stood before him, and confessed Christ. And being seized and bound with chains, they were shut up in prison; and on the morrow, being brought out of prison, they were led in as prisoners and stood before him; and they were compelled first by threats to deny Christ, and then by moderate tortures. But since they had an unchangeable purpose toward Christ, they were suspended and flayed, and their sides were scorched with torches; then they were shut up in prison. ^B And after this, being brought out of the prison, they were again compelled to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols. And not being persuaded, they were perfected by fire.

OF THE SAME MONTH. Twentieth. Memory of our holy Father Theodore the Trichinas.

Our holy Father Theodore, who was surnamed Trichinas, was by birth and upbringing from Constantinople. Being the son of wealthy parents, he left behind both parents and riches and glory, and departing to the monastery which for his sake was called Trichinas, he became a monk; and he subjected himself to such austerity that he seemed as one dead to all. For day and night, struggling against the cold and the frost, he stood in prayer, clothed in only one garment, and that of hair, and coarse; for this reason he was named Trichinas. ^C He was also unshod, and kept his head uncovered and bare; whence also, having received authority over demons, he performed many miracles, and at the end of his life he did not cease to work wonders, but offered healings to all who approached him.

And the memory of our holy Father Anastasius the Sinaite.

Our God-bearing Father Anastasius, leaving the world and the things in the world, and taking up his cross, according to the command in the holy Gospel, zealously followed Christ, and departing, he became a monk in a monastery. Desiring, however, to undergo greater struggles and to attain more perfect virtue, ^D he went to Jerusalem. And when he had worshipped in the holy and venerable places, he went to Mount Sinai; and having found holy men there practicing the monastic life, he remained among them, obeying them and serving them zealously. And on account of his humility, he received from God the gift of knowledge and of much wisdom. Whence he also recorded the lives of holy Fathers, and composed many soul-profiting discourses, most of which, being found, are set before those who are studious of learning for the salvation and benefit of souls; and after these things, having pleased God, he rested in peace.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY.

Alexandra, the martyr of Christ, was the wife of the emperor Diocletian. When she also had seen the holy George being tormented, namely by a spear in the belly, and yet in no way harmed; then bound to a wheel composed of sharp iron, and by aid from above released from his chains; and furthermore, when he had been cut into pieces and was restored to health, and appeared before the emperor who was sacrificing to idols, and stood fearlessly, and by that wondrous spectacle summoned many to the faith of Christ, some of whom were beheaded outside the city, while others were thrown into prisons: when she, I say, had seen these things, Alexandra, casting away the glory of the empire, herself also believed in Christ, and confessed before the emperor that she was a Christian. By the order of Diocletian, therefore, she was committed to prison. And after the sentence was passed that George and Alexandra should be beheaded, having learned of this, she poured out prayers to God in prison and surrendered her soul.

And memory of the holy prophet Micah.

The glorious and great prophet Micah was one of the sixteen prophets and was from the tribe of Ephraim. Reproving king Achab for his many and various transgressions, he was indeed held in hatred by him, but was by no means killed, because the king feared God and revered the virtue of the prophet. Yet, being struck with fear, the king withdrew, and for the most part dwelt in the mountains, so that by not appearing frequently and reproving him, he might not arm his heart against him to commit murder. After the death of Achab, when he reproved his son Joram for the same iniquities, and he would not bear the reproof of the prophet with a calm mind, he was seized and thrust into prison. Where, having remained for a long interval of time, he constantly endured sorrows and very many afflictions. Then, being led out of prison, he was cast over a precipice ^C by the executioners; and having surrendered his soul to God, he was buried.

And memory of the holy Maximian, patriarch of Constantinople.

Maximian, the pontiff of Christ, drew his origin from ancient Rome, the son of wealthy and noble parents. But when, on account of some business, he had departed from Rome, he came to Constantinople, where, on account of his good disposition and manifold learning, as well as the exact rectitude of his life, he was ordained a presbyter of the holy church of Constantinople by the most renowned patriarch Sisinnius. And demonstrating his probity in all virtues, he persevered in that course until Nestorius the heretic, who had succeeded the most holy Sisinnius, was condemned. But after the deposition of that heretic Nestorius, Maximian, as a faithful and orthodox man, by the common ^D

suffrage of the Emperor, the clergy, and the entire people, was elected patriarch of Constantinople. And when he had rightly and religiously shewed himself a shepherd to the flock of Christ, and had kept the Church free from scandals, and had ruled for two years and five months, he rested in peace. ^A

Et certamen sancti martyris Isaacii, et sociorum ejus. The contest of the holy martyr Isaacius and his companions.

These three holy martyrs, Isaacius, Apollo, and Codratus, were servants of the Empress Alexandra. When they had seen her despise the fleeting glory of this age, the corruptible empire, and the mortal emperor, having run instead to Christ, whom they believed to be an immortal and eternal King, and having died for Him, they themselves also embraced the faith of Christ. ^B Speaking with the greatest boldness, they rebuked the emperor, calling him impious, cruel, and savage, because he had not spared his own wife, to whom he had been joined in marriage and by whom he also had children. Then, provoked to anger, the emperor ordered his executioners to seize them and cast them into prison. When this had been done, the emperor himself spent the whole night reflecting on how he might destroy them (for he was kindled with great fury against them). Therefore, on the following day, he ordered them to be brought before him, and he attempted to compel them to deny Christ. But when he could not persuade them to do so, he ordered them to be put to death by beheading.

EODEM MENSE. DIE VICESIMA SECUNDA. IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY.

Memoria sancti Patris nostri Theodori Sicæotæ.

Theodore, the pontiff of Christ and a great wonder-worker, was ^C born in the region of Galatia, in the town called Syceon, during the reign of Justinian the Elder. He was born in an inn, where his mother, Maria, had attracted to his begetting, by the extraordinary beauty of her face, a certain man named Cosmas, who was enrolled among the imperial couriers. Furthermore, his mother saw in a dream a star descend from heaven and fall into her lap; this star truly foreshadowed the future virtue of the child. For he was so virtuous from his earliest years that he gained holy George as a friend, who was accustomed to speak with him openly, to meet with him frequently, and to lead him toward every good work. From this he performed countless miracles. When he had taken up the monastic life, he was ordained bishop of Anastasiopolis. Finally, when he had become famous ^D throughout the entire world by the many miracles which he had performed before the emperors and the whole world, he migrated to the Lord in peace.

Et memoria sancti apostoli Nathanaelis. And the memory of the holy apostle Nathanael.

Nathanael, the friend and apostle of Christ, was from the city of Cana of Galilee, where Christ our God, having been invited to a wedding together with His undefiled Mother and the holy disciples, performed His first miracle, changing water into wine. And he himself, being learned in the law, was also expecting the arrival of Christ, who among them was called the Messiah. Wherefore he...

whom the apostle Philip, who was from Bethsaida, the city of the holy apostles Andrew and Peter, encountered—knowing that he was awaiting the arrival of Christ—said to him with great joy: "O Nathanael, he of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets, we have found Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth." Departing, therefore, and having seen Christ, and having believed in him, he followed him. And after his passion and ascension, preaching him to be God, he ended his life in peace. ^A

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-third day. 68 The contest of the holy great martyr George.

George, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of the emperor Diocletian, from the region of Cappadocia, of illustrious lineage and the rank of count. When a persecution was stirred up against the Christians, and they were being slaughtered every day, he stood fearlessly before the tyrant and rebuked him. For this, he was pierced in the belly with a spear, and bound to a wheel surrounded on all sides by sharp iron spikes, but he was released from above. Then, being cut into pieces, he again emerged unharmed; and appearing unexpectedly to the emperor, he led many to embrace the faith of Christ. Afterward, being tormented again in various ways, when Magnentius demanded some sign, he restored to life a certain man who had long before died. From this, many others similarly gave their names to Christ, among whom was a certain man named Glycerius, whose dead ox the holy George had restored to life; he also was beheaded. As for the holy George himself, when he had overthrown the idols by prayer, he was decapitated by the sword. ^B

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day. The contest of the holy martyrs Pasicrates and Valentinus.

The martyrs of Christ, Pasicrates and Valentinus, were from the city of Dorostorum in Macedonia, being soldiers, yet Christians. When they saw the idolaters worshipping stones devoid of sense, they were stirred by zeal and openly and freely professed that Christ alone is God, and that idols are things devoid of all sense. Having been caught, therefore, they were brought before the governor; and with the idol of Apollo being offered to them so that they might sacrifice, Pasicrates ran and spat upon it. But his own brother, who a little while before had fallen away from Christ out of fear of the torments, approached the same Pasicrates and tried to persuade him to worship [the idol], and thus to avoid the torments. But he repelled his brother, calling him unworthy of his kin. Then the holy Valentinus, being questioned, replied that he held the same opinion as Pasicrates; and accordingly, both were joyfuly beheaded, while the mother of Pasicrates herself was present, ^C and exhorted her son to undergo martyrdom eagerly.

*And the contest of the holy martyr Eusebius, and his companions.*

After the death of the holy great martyr George, ^D

^A a faithful and orthodox man was chosen as patriarch of Constantinople; and having shepherded the flock of Christ well and piously, and having preserved the Church free from scandals, and having held office for two years and five months, he rested in peace.

*And the contest of the holy martyr Isaacius and those with him.* These three holy martyrs, Isaacius, Apollo, and Codratus, were servants of the Empress Alexandra; and seeing her having despised the fleeting glory of this age, corruptible power, and a mortal emperor, and having run to Christ, and having believed in Him as an immortal and eternal King, and having died for Him, they themselves also believed in Christ; and speaking with boldness, they reproached the emperor, calling him lawless, and cruel, and beastly, since he did not even spare his own wife, with whom he had begotten children. Then the emperor, being enraged, ordered the executioners to seize them and commit them to prison. And this having been done, he himself deliberated throughout the night as to how he might put them to death (for he was greatly angered), and the next day, having brought them into his presence and forced them to deny Christ, and failing to persuade them, he beheaded them.

^B EODEM MENSE. Die vicesima secunda. *Memoria sancti Patris nostri Theodori Sicæota.*

Theodore, the high priest of Christ and great wonder-worker, was from the region of Galatia, from the village of Sicaea, during the reign of Justinian the Elder; he was born in an inn, his mother, Maria, having drawn to his begetting, by reason of the beauty of her face, a certain Cosmas, one of the imperial couriers; his mother also saw in a dream a star descend from heaven and fall into her womb; the star signified the future virtue of the child; for he became so virtuous from infancy that he acquired the holy George as a friend, who conversed with him openly and walked with him, and guided him toward every good; from whom he also acquired the power to work countless miracles. Having become a monk, he was ordained bishop of Anastasiopolis, and having become celebrated for his many other miracles, both to emperors and to the whole world, he departed in peace to the Lord.

*And the memory of the holy apostle Nathanael.*

Nathanael, the friend and apostle of Christ, was from the city of Cana of Galilee, where Christ our God, having been called to a marriage along with His immaculate Mother and the holy disciples, performed the first miracle, changing water into wine. And he himself also awaited the arrival of Christ, as he was skilled in the law, and knew what was said by those—

^A who were led away from prison, and again seized, surrendered his spirit to God.

The struggle of the holy martyr Sabas the commander.

Sabas, a martyr of Christ, held the office of commander of soldiers under the emperor Aurelian in the city of Rome. Being a Goth by race, but a Christian in religion, he was accustomed to visit the holy men confined in prison and to serve them. Moreover, because of his pure life and his exercises, he drove wicked spirits out of the bodies of possessed men. Accused, therefore, and arrested, he was brought before the emperor. He cast down before him the military belt with which he was girded, and confessed Christ. He was, therefore, suspended and stretched, and smitten with torches, ^B from which tortures he miraculously escaped safe and unharmed. He called seventy men to the faith of Christ, who were immediately beheaded. Afterwards he was cast into prison, where being seen by Christ, he was granted much greater strength. Being led out of the dungeon, and commanded again to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols, and refusing to do so, his holy head was severed with a sword.

ON THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF THE SAME MONTH.

The struggle of the holy hieromartyr Basileos, bishop of Amasea.

The most holy martyr Basileos was bishop of Amasea under the emperor Licinius. He suffered martyrdom in this manner. A certain maidservant of the wife of Licinius, named Glaphyra, ^C because she wished to avoid the concubinage of the emperor for the sake of modesty, by the counsel of her mistress, fled secretly with a large sum of money to the Eastern regions. When she had come to Amasea, she was received as a Christian by Bishop Basileos. When Licinius learned of this, he ordered both to be brought to him. But Glaphyra, having already passed away, escaped his hands. Basileos, however, the bishop, was brought in chains to Nicomedia; and when he had rebuked the emperor, he was beheaded, and cast into the sea, the body separately, and the head separately. But by the providence of God, his body was joined ^D to his head, and floating across the current, it was found in the city of Sinope, and was then deposited at Amasea.

The struggle of the holy martyr Publius.

This holy martyr of Christ, Publius, was a soldier, assigned to the troops of the emperor Licinius, and much beloved by him because he had comported himself strenuously and bravely on many occasions in war. But when the most holy martyr Basileos was brought in chains from the city of Amasea before Licinius, and boldly rebuked him and the deception of the impure demons, he described what pertains to the dispensation of the true God and our Savior Jesus Christ; and having cast down the military belt with which he was girded, and his weapons, he professed himself a Christian, and

a servant and soldier of the heavenly Divinity. The emperor, being moved to wrath and his countenance suddenly changed by great fury, first endeavored to move him from such a purpose by flatteries; but since he could not attain this, he ordered that he be cruelly tortured, and finally that his head be cut off with a sword. ^A

EODEM MENSE. Die vicesima septima.

Memorial of the Holy Apostles Sosipater and Jason

Jason and Sosipater were disciples of the apostle Paul. Jason was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, and became bishop of that same city; Sosipater was born at Patras in Achaia, and became bishop of Iconium. When they had governed their own churches for some years, they went away to the West, that they might help some people. And having arrived at the island of Corcyra, they built a church in the name of the holy protomartyr Stephen. When Cercylinus, the ruler of the island, learned of this, he ordered them to be thrown into prison; where seven robbers who were imprisoned there saw them and believed in Christ; likewise also the jailer, Antonius, who was also beheaded. And after fire descended from heaven and consumed the ruler's two sons and his wife, the holy men were released from their bonds; and having benefited many, they later departed in peace.

The Passion of the Holy Martyr Cercyra

After the sons of the ruler Cercylinus and his wife had perished by the heavenly fire, and the aforementioned holy men had been released from their bonds, Carpianus, the governor of the island, seized them and, by the command of the ruler, subjected them to tortures. But Cercyra, the ruler’s own daughter, looking out from a window and seeing the holy men being afflicted with tortures, embraced the faith of Christ; and having professed herself to be a Christian, she stood before her father. When she was commanded by him to deny Christ, and did not consent, she too was delivered to the governor. And the governor gave her to a certain Ethiopian, that he might corrupt her. But by the will of God, a bear coming from elsewhere intercepted the Ethiopian in his attempted crime and guarded the virgin uncorrupted. Upon seeing this miracle, the Ethiopian himself believed in Christ and was beheaded with a sword. But the holy Cercyra was first hung up, and tortured by smoke emitted from a fire placed beneath her, then transfixed with arrows, and finally, being pelted with stones, she consummated her martyrdom. ^C

The Passion of the Holy Martyr Saturninus and his Companions

These holy saints were the leaders of the seven robbers who, in prison, through the teaching of the holy apostles Jason and Sosipater, gave their names to Christ; and together with those who later embraced the Christian religion through the holy Cercyra, after her death they were led out from prison. They themselves, the seven, were led outside the city and cast into cauldrons filled with pitch, wax, and oil, and being boiled, they consummated their martyrdom. The remaining brothers were deported to a small island and devoted themselves to divine prayers. And having learned of this ^D

And when the king learned of this, he embarked on a ship, and in his haste to slay them, he was drowned in the sea. But another governor, who obtained dominion over the island after him, ordered the saints to be thrown into a burning furnace. But when he saw them come forth unharmed, he believed in Christ, having taken the name Sebastianus; and from then on, he preached Christ together with the holy apostles, with whom he lived well in peace, and passed away.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-eighth day.

75 The contest of the holy martyr Dadas and his companions.

The martyrs of Christ, Dadas, Maximus, and Quintilianus, were from the city of Dorostolon in Macedonia. Maximus was a reader of the most holy Church of God, an excellent interpreter of the divine Scriptures, and a teacher in the name of Christ. Dadas and Quintilianus were his disciples and friends. Being denounced to the governor of the city, they were seized and brought before him; and having been questioned by him, when they freely confessed Christ, they were committed to prison: from which being later led out, and commanded to sacrifice to idols, as they steadfastly refused, they were first beaten, and stretched upon the ground and bound by four parts; and at last their heads were cut off. Their remains were thence translated and deposited in Constantinople.

The contest of the holy martyr Zeno and his companions.

Zeno, the martyr of Christ, together with the saints Eusebius, Neon, and Vitalius, was on the island of Corcyra. Being instructed by the holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater, they believed in Christ. Therefore, being denounced to Cerculinus, the governor of the island, and seized, they were brought before him, bound in heavy chains of idolaters. When they were questioned by him and had confessed Christ, they were first stripped of their garments and stretched upon the ground, and bound hand and foot with ropes, and for many hours were beaten with scourges, so that they might be forced to deny Christ and sacrifice to idols. But when they steadfastly refused, and did not even agree in word to sacrifice to demons, they were cast into prison, nearly dead. Finally, a great furnace was kindled, and they were cast into it: and thus they finished their life.

The memorial of our holy Father Memnon the Wonderworker.

Our holy Father Memnon the Wonderworker, when he heard these words of the holy Gospel: "He who does not leave father, or mother, or brothers, or sisters, or houses, or fields, cannot be my disciple," was pricked in his heart, and leaving everything, he followed Christ. And thus he struggled against virtue, becoming a pure vessel and a worthy dwelling-place of the holy Spirit. Subjecting

the flesh to the spirit through much continence and humility, and having gained mastery over the passions of both body and soul, he became a leader of monks, and having lived an angelic life, he was enriched by God with the gift of miracles. For he healed incurable diseases, and having purified his soul with streams of tears, he caused water to gush forth in a dry place through prayer; and having performed many other miracles, he passed away in peace.

ON THE SAME MONTH. 29th. The commemoration of the holy apostle Simon, who was called ^B Jude.

Simon, the great apostle of Christ, was from Cana of Galilee, where our Lord and God was invited to a wedding, together with his immaculate Mother and the disciples, and when the wine failed, since he was about to begin his miracle-working, at the petition of his Mother, he changed water into wine. He became a disciple of his and a minister of the preaching, and was with the rest of the apostles, following Christ and enjoying the nourishment of His teaching. After His assumption and His ascension into heaven, he went to the city of Edessa, and having taught many of the idolaters the word of truth, he converted them to the Lord. After these things, arriving also in Mesopotamia, he ^C preached with boldness the name of the Lord; and again having departed to Edessa, and having performed many miracles for the glory of God, he passed away in peace.

And the struggle of the nine holy martyrs in Cyzicus, Theognis and his company.

The holy martyrs of Christ, Theognis, Rufus, Antipater, Eutyches, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, Thaumasius, and Philemon, originated from different places, but having gathered in the city of Cyzicus at the time of the persecution, and preaching Christ, they were seized by the idolaters and delivered to the ruler of the city; and having received the first examination, and having been beaten sufficiently, they were sent to prison. And after this, being brought out of prison, they were forced to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols. But they, being unpersuaded, but rather spitting upon the deception and vanity of the idols, and holding the ruler in contempt, had their holy heads cut off; their relics, having been transferred to Cyzicus, perform many healings for the glory of Christ. ^D

ON THE SAME MONTH. 30th. The struggle of the holy apostle James the brother of the Lord.

James, the great apostle, son of Joseph the Betrothed, and brother of the Lord according to the flesh, by whom also he was ordained the first bishop of Jerusalem; being pious and continent, merciful and compassionate, he was called the Just. Some, therefore, over whom Ananus the priest of the Jews presided, according to

^A their failure to entrap Paul, turned against James. And having seized him, they compelled him to deny Christ. And having led him to the pinnacle of the temple, they said to him: Tell us, O Just One, since the multitude is led astray after Jesus, which is the door of Jesus? But he said: Why do you ask me about Jesus? He is sitting in the heavens at the right hand of the Father, and is about to come to judge the inhabited world in righteousness. And when they had said, Lo, even the Just One is led astray, they cast him down from the temple. And while he still breathed, one of the fullers, striking him with a club, killed him. ^B

MONTH OF MAY.

Jeremiah, the elect prophet of God, was from the region of Judea, and he prophesied many things, but especially concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. Wherefore he took the Ark of the Law and all the holy things within it, and having hidden them in a rock, he thus addressed those who were present: The Lord has departed from Sinai into heaven, and will come again to Sinai with power; and this will be a sign to you of his presence, when all nations shall adore wood. When he had said this, immediately upon the rock where he had hidden the Ark, a cloud appeared, overshadowing that place until the present ^C day. Afterwards he suffered many tribulations from the Jews, because he reproved their iniquities. When he had gone into Egypt, he prophesied that it would come to pass that their idols would be shattered and fall down because of the Savior, the child born of a Virgin in a stable. And at last, while he was dwelling in the Egyptian city of Taphnis, he was stoned by the people, departed from this life, and was buried near the house of Pharaoh.

The struggle of the holy martyr Batas.

The holy martyr Batas was from the region of Persia, having been taught the faith of Christ by his parents. When he had reached his thirtieth year, he left behind his father, mother, wife, children, and all the riches with which he was blessed, and departed and took up the monastic life: in which, when he had exercised himself most excellently, he desired to end his life by martyrdom. When therefore a persecution was stirred up against the Christians, and the rest of the monks who were with him had fled from the monastery, he alone remained: ^D where, being seized, he was delivered to the governor of Nisibis, and by him was compelled to deny Christ, and to adore the sun and fire. When he refused to do this, and with the greatest confidence of spirit confessed Christ, both his hands were stretched out by ten satellites, and his shoulders were dislocated from the excessive violence. Then, when his genital parts were tightly bound with ropes, he was dragged along and beaten with rods. Finally, being cruelly flayed in all the members of his body, he ended his life by the sword.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE SECOND DAY

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Hesperus, Zoe, and their Children

The holy martyrs Hesperus, and Zoe with their children, were from the region of Italy, serving a certain rich man during the reign of Hadrian. Now when Cyriacus and Theodulus had been instructed in the Christian faith by their parents, they said to them one day: "Why do we serve these impious men, and not rather Christ, lest we perish with them?" Their mother, hearing this, said: "Resist him who bought our bodies, and we shall sustain martyrdom for Christ." Then the boys went and said to their master: "Our bodies are indeed subject to your power, but the Lord of our souls is Jesus Christ, who rules over all. From now on we shall not serve you, but Him." Their master, being astonished at this, sent them at that time to Hesperus, their father, who was residing in the city of Tritonium. ^B Afterward, however, he summoned both the father and the mother, ordered them to be tortured, and finally, having heated a furnace, cast them into it and burned them with flames.

And the Falling Asleep of our Holy Father Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria

Our holy Father Athanasius, born in the city of Alexandria, flourished in the time of the emperors Constantine the Great and his son Constantius. From his boyhood he loved God and sought to imitate the ecclesiastical order. For while still a boy, he took his companions and went to the seashore, and ^C acting like a child, he simulated being a bishop, and from those who were with him, he ordained some as presbyters and deacons; the rest of the Greek and Jewish boys he baptized with the water of the sea. Alexander, the Bishop of Alexandria, observing these things from afar, was struck with amazement; but discerning in the spirit that those things which had been done were presages of the future, he completed the rite by anointing the boys with the divine Chrism. Athanasius was instructed in letters first by him, soon became a lector, and finally was ordained bishop. After suffering many struggles for piety, he finished his life.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE THIRD DAY

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Timotheus and Maura

Timotheus, Christ's martyr, was a lector of the most holy Church of God. Having taken Maura as his wife by the law of marriage, after scarcely twenty days had passed, he was seized by idolaters, bound, and led to Arrianus, the governor of the Thebaid, to whom he was delivered. The governor said to him: "Bring your books and burn them before me." But when the saint refused to do this, glowing iron plates were inserted into his ears, and immediately the pupils of his eyes fell out. Then he was bound by the ankles to a wheel, a piece of wood was placed in his mouth; and with a stone tied to his neck,

^A he was suspended upside down. And since he could not persuade him, he commanded his wife to try to persuade him to abandon Christ. But she chose rather to suffer martyrdom. Wherefore he ordered the hair of her head to be torn out, and finally both of them to be nailed to a wall: where, persevering for the space of nine days, they ended their lives.

Et memoria sancti Patris nostri Petri Thaumaturgi. Καὶ μνήμη τοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Πέτρου τοῦ Θαυματουργοῦ.

Our holy Father Peter had Constantinople as his homeland, being the son of pious parents, who eventually became monks. And he strove in virtue to such a degree that it is not easy to explain. For not only did he surpass everyone in vigils and the study of the holy Scriptures, but also in almsgiving and compassion for the poor. Hence, being compelled to become the archbishop of Corinth, because of his humility of mind and modesty, he could not be induced to consent. Therefore, his brother Paul having been ordained, he followed him. But by the prayers of the Argives, being consecrated bishop of Argos, he laid such hold of almsgiving that every day there was nothing to be found in his storehouse except the tunic he was wearing; and he turned away no poor person who came to him. Whence, having performed many miracles and served God, he departed in peace. ^B

EODEM MENSE. Die quarta. ΜΗΝΙ ΤΩ ΑΥΤΩ. Δ´.

§ Certamen sancti Silvani martyris.

῎Αθλησις τοῦ ἁγίου μάρτυρος Σιλβανοῦ.

The holy martyr of Christ, Silvanus, was from the region of the Gazaeans. He was first a soldier, but afterwards, having renounced the camps of the earthly king for Christ, he undertook the warfare of the heavenly King, Christ. Wherefore, being held worthy of the priesthood, he was first ordained a presbyter, then a bishop. When he diligently applied himself to the rule of the Church committed to him, and brought many of the Greeks to the Lord by his teaching, he was seized by idolaters, and ^C brought forth into the midst of the Caesarean people, he was cruelly beaten; then hung up and severely lacerated, and condemned to the digging of bronze mines: where, having endured many hardships, and not ceasing not only to profess Christ, but also to preach the true God to others, and especially to those who were with him, he was beheaded with a sword together with forty other martyrs who had been instructed by him.

Et certamen sacrosancti martyris Olbiani, et discipulorum ejus. Καὶ ἄθλησις τοῦ ἁγίου ἱερομάρτυρος Ὀλβιανοῦ, καὶ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ.

Olbianus, the divine holy martyr, was a bishop when Maximian was emperor and Aelianus was governor of Asia. When a certain priest of the idols, named Agrippinus, was offering sacrifice to Juno, being seized himself, he was compelled to sacrifice and to burn incense on the altar. But he, with many arguments and pious ^D speeches, exalted the Christian faith,

^A deprecating and condemning the worship of idols. Wherefore his entrails and loins were first scorched with red-hot irons; then, being cruelly beaten with rods, he was cast into prison. Afterwards, led out from prison and again compelled to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols, when he refused to do this, he was adjudged to the fire along with his disciples; and accordingly, a great furnace having been kindled, he was cast into it with them and finished his life.

The Contest of Saint Nicephorus, Hegumen of the Medicius Monastery.

Saint Nicephorus lived during the time of the Iconoclasts. From childhood, he burned with love for Christ, and seeing the heresy increasing, he forthwith renounced the world and all that is in it, became a monk, ^B and withdrew to the mountains. He lived a tranquil life, occupied with prayers and fasts, offering petitions to God for the public peace of the world. Then, when the heresy had calmed down a little, at the earnest request of the monks, he presided over the Medicius monastery. But when that plague broke out again, and the heresy, in the days of the impious Emperor Leo, gathered strength, he was expelled from his flock as a worshiper of the venerable icons who adhered to the precepts of the holy patriarchs; and being subjected to bitter hardships, he was shut up in a dark prison. There, as a most valiant athlete, having overthrown the soul-destroying error, he departed to Christ, whom he had longed for.

The Memory of our Holy Father Hilarius the Wonderworker.

Hilarius the Wonderworker, having become a monk in the first flower of his youth, ^C and taking up his cross upon his shoulders, followed the Lord who was crucified for us. When he had subjected the affections of the flesh by self-control, he surpassed all the monks in every virtue. For, shutting himself up in a dark little cell, and becoming far from every tumult, he shone with an imperturbable spirit. Wherefore he was also deemed worthy of the priesthood and performed miracles. For he rebuked the animals which were harming the sprouting seeds and drove them from the field; he repressed a fountain of hail by shed prayers; he irrigated the thirsty earth with rains; he parted the currents of a river, like the prophet Elisha; he healed the withered hand of a man, and ^D granted sight to the blind; and having performed many other miracles, he departed in peace to the Lord.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The Fifth Day.

The Contest of Saint Irene the Martyr.

Irene, the martyr of Christ, was the daughter of the petty king Licinius. Since she was beautiful, she was shut up by her father in a high tower, being six years of age, with thirteen handmaidens. There, taught by a divine angel the mysteries of God, she was not long after baptized by Timothy, a disciple of the holy Apostle Paul, who had arrived there. As for the idols which her father had given her, that she might

^A worship, she broke them and cast them down. Then her father, having become enraged, had her tied to a wild horse in order that she might be destroyed. But she herself suffered no harm; for her father died, the horse having bitten his hand and severed it; but she, having prayed, raised him up. Then he too believed in God, and others, about three thousand [people]. And again, the saint, having been seized by the governor Ampelianus, and after being tortured in many ways and not being persuaded to deny Christ, was perfected by the sword and buried.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Sixth Day.

Memory of Job the Just, and conqueror of many struggles.

^B Blessed Job was from the region of Ausitis, which is situated on the borders of Judæa and Arabia, a son of the sons of Esau, so as to be the fifth from Abraham. Previously his name had been Jobab. He prophesied for thirty-five years, preceding the incarnation of Christ by one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five years. Being called just by the testimony of God, the devil sought to afflict him. But since God desired to render him more glorious, He handed him over to the devil: who not only stripped him of his wealth and his children, but also striking him, cast him down to the dunghill, wounded and covered in sores. But the saint, having withstood all temptations, and having given thanks to God in all things, covered the devil with utmost shame. Having later obtained on earth double the wealth, and having taken a wife and begotten children, and having exhibited himself as grateful to God according to custom, he ended his life.

And the memory of our holy Father Pachomius.

Saint Pachomius, our father, having been seized in the time of persecution, was cast into prison. ^C But as he was not yet initiated, nor did he well know the dogma of the faith, he asked God to teach him. An angel of God therefore approaching, instructed him in all truth. When the persecution had ceased, he embraced the solitary life: and he progressed in virtue such that he was deemed worthy of the conversation of an angel, and learned from him the order and habit of monks. For from him was formed the angelic institution of the solitary life. After these things he roused many monasteries to the glory of God: and having worked miracles, and having served God in all things until old age, he migrated to Him rejoicing, having obtained an eternal kingdom in the heavens, and life everlasting and without end.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Seventh Day.

Memory of the sign of the cross which appeared in the heaven.

In the reign of Constantius, son of Constantine the Great, and while Cyril was archbishop of Jerusalem, on the days of holy Pentecost, at the third hour of the day, there appeared the sign of the life-giving cross, fashioned from...

light in the heavens, in the sight of all the people, stretched out above the holy Golgotha, where our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, and extending as far as the holy mount of Olives, which by the brightness of its shimmering rays obscured the rays of the sun. Wherefore Christians of every age, young and old, together with infants and nursing children, betook themselves to the holy church of God; and with immeasurable joy, they sent up glory and thanksgiving unto God with fervent contrition for the wondrous miracle. Concerning this, the holy Cyril also wrote to Constantius, confirming him in the orthodox faith. ^A

And the contest of the holy martyr Acacius.

Acacius, the martyr of Christ, was in the time of the emperor Maximianus, from the region of Cappadocia, serving in the cohort of the *Scholae*. But being recognized as a Christian, he was seized and brought to the governor of the region, and having confessed Christ, he was severely beaten. Then, being sent on to another governor, and bound with many other prisoners, he was led to Byzantium; and having been flayed over his entire body with cruel scourges and tortures, he was cast into prison. There, divine angels stood by and restored him to health; and when all those who were in the prison saw him so suddenly restored to health, they themselves also believed in Christ, and were beheaded. Then, being brought out of the prison and sent on to another governor, and again tortured, he was beheaded; and his remains were laid to rest in a place called Staurium. ^B

SAME MONTH. II. Commemoration of the holy John the Theologian on account of the holy ash.

The man-loving and all-good God of ours, not only deemed those who struggled for Him—His holy disciples and apostles, prophets and martyrs, and all those who have pleased Him—worthy of the kingdom of heaven and eternal blessings, but He also showed the places in which they walked or were buried to be full of graces, and illumined them with many miracles. For the tomb in which the great Apostle and Evangelist John was buried, just prior to his translation, by the assent of the Holy Spirit, suddenly sends forth and exudes each year, on the eighth day of the month of May, a holy ash, which the local inhabitants call "Manna." Those who approach and receive this ash use it for the deliverance from all manner of maladies, for the healing of souls, and for the soundness of bodies, glorifying God and venerating His servant, the Theologian. ^C

And the commemoration of our holy Father Arsenius the Great.

Arsenius, our Father among the saints, was from the old

^A Rome, deacon of the most holy Church of God. On account of his knowledge and virtues, he was chosen by Theodosius the Great, the emperor, to instruct his children, Arcadius and Honorius, not only in letters but also in virtues. He was so honored by the emperor that he was called the Father of the emperors. But he, hating crowds and fleeing the emperor of the earth, loved the solitary life and desired the heavenly King; he asked Him to direct him in the way, that he might know how he should be saved. He heard, therefore, a voice from heaven saying to him three times: "Arsenius, flee from men, and you shall be saved." And immediately, having changed his garments and assumed the habit of a poor man, he departed into Egypt and undertook the solitary life: and after having struggled as no one else, he departed to God in deep old age.

EODEM MENSE. Die nona.

^B

The Contest of the holy prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah, the great prophet of God, had Jerusalem as his fatherland; he was the uncle of king Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. Because he rebuked him for his iniquities, he was sawn in two with a saw and ended his life, and was buried near the waters which king Hezekiah had diverted, covering the land on account of enemies. But God made the sign of Siloam for the sake of the prophet. For when, before he died, he was thirsty, he prayed that water might gush forth; and immediately water was sent to him from it: and on account of this it had the surname Siloe, which is interpreted as "sent." And of old, indeed, the holy relics of the prophet lay, as they say, near the waters of Siloam, and near the tomb of the kings David and Solomon. But finally, transferred to Constantinople, they were deposited near the Blachernae, in the church of the holy martyr Laurence.

And the contest of the holy martyr Christopher.

Regarding this holy man, certain wonderful and stupendous things are reported by some, namely that he first had the face of a dog and devoured men, and finally, when he had believed in Christ, he changed his form. But the matter did not happen so; but some suspected him thus because he was a pagan, and fierce, and terrible. He was, however, during the reign of Decius, and having been captured in battle by a count, since he was unable to speak Greek, he prayed to God: and an angel was sent to him, saying: "Take heart." And ^D touching his lips, he made him speak Greek. Having therefore entered the city, he preached Christ. But the guards sent, captured him. And when his staff blossomed, they believed in Christ, and together with him were baptized at Antioch by the holy Babylas, where he was also called Christopher. Afterwards, brought to the emperor, he was first subjected to many tortures, and at last was beheaded.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Epimachus and Gordianus.

Epimachus and Gordianus were martyrs of Christ

^A from the great and ancient Rome. But because they confessed Christ, they were seized by the idolaters and handed over to the governor of the region, and being compelled to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols, and not being persuaded, they were severely beaten; and being suspended, they were torn with iron claws. Then, being taken down from the stakes, they were shut up in prison, having been granted a time of reprieve so that they might repent and live. But even while in prison, they did not cease to pray and to give thanks to God that they were counted worthy to struggle for his sake. After some days, having been brought out of prison again and subjected to many and various tortures, their holy heads were cut off with the sword.

The contest of the holy martyr Codratus, and of those in his company.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The tenth day.

The contest of the holy martyr Hesychius.

And the memorial of our holy Father Hesychius the Confessor.

He was from the region of the Armenians. Desiring...

to become a monk and to live in tranquility, he descended into the maritime regions. But as he was traveling to a high mountain, demons entered into two men, John and Hilarion, ^A and they made it their business to meet him and to ask him where he was going. And when they learned this, they said, "The place is full of wild beasts and robbers." But he said, "I have committed deeds worthy of death, and I am going there to flee from death." And they answered, "You fear death from men, but do you not fear it from wild beasts?" Then, recognizing the ambush of the demons, he warded them off by making the sign of the cross and cast them out of those men. He himself went on to the place he had desired, built a chapel, and spent a solitary life there, pouring out constant prayers to God and becoming admirable in the exercise of virtues. And having performed many miracles, he ceased to live. His relics, however, were translated into the city of Amasea.

^B

And the contest of the holy Apostle Simon the Zealot.

Simon, the great apostle of Christ, who is surnamed the Zealot, was in the upper room together with the holy apostles; and upon receiving the visible operation of the Spirit in the likeness of a dove and in tongues of fire, he became wholly fiery and was filled with divine zeal. He freely burned up all the error of the many gods like stubble; and he traversed almost the whole earth, illuminating and enlightening it with his words of doctrine and the light of piety. Whence he rightly and truly received the name of Zelotes, and he obtained the double crown of confession. For he traversed Mauretania, all the region of the Africans, and all Libya, and brought many of the infidels ^C to the Lord. And finally, having journeyed into Britain, he was fastened to a cross and thus surrendered his spirit to God.

And the contest of the holy martyr Alphaeus and his company.

Alphaeus, Philadelphus, and Cyrinus, martyrs of Christ, were from the region of Italy, noble and wealthy, the sons of Vitalius, the prefect of that region. Having learned piety from a certain Christian named Onesimus, and having been baptized, they preached Christ. At that time, a prefect having been sent from the city of Rome with imperial letters into that region of Italy, to oversee the slaughter of all Christians, these men were reported to his notice and, being arrested and bound with chains, were sent to Rome together with Onesimus and Erasmus, and fourteen other men, ^D to Licinius. By him they were delivered to the governor Diomedes and were led away to Puteoli. And Onesimus, indeed, having had a great stone placed upon his chest, gave up his spirit. But Erasmus, together with the remaining fourteen, was beheaded. And the aforementioned three were sent to Sicily and were put to death there.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE ELEVENTH.

When the greatest of emperors and most Christian Constantine had taken the city of Byzantium, and having built it much larger than it formerly was, and having changed its name to his own, he called it Constantinople instead of Byzantium. After he had completed the walls and the buildings within it, and the holy churches, he dedicated it to our most glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, offering thanks beyond measure. Along with the most holy patriarch, and the clergy, and the people, he performed a supplication and went up to the Forum, where the citizens had erected a column of him, bearing the holy nails of Christ our God in its head; and in the lower part, at its base, it contains the twelve baskets of the remains that were left over from the five loaves. From that time, therefore, the custom has prevailed that this festival is celebrated unto the present day.

And the contest of the holy martyr Mocius.

Mocius, the holy martyr of Christ, was from the city of Byzantium, the son of Christian parents, Euphrates and Eustathia, who traced their origin from Old Rome. Being a presbyter of the Church of Christ, he exhorted all to abstain from idols, and to honor Christ, and to worship Him as God and Lord of all. One day, when a sacrifice was being performed by the governor, and the people were offering, he was moved by divine zeal, and running up, he overturned the altar and scattered the offerings. Being seized, therefore, he was punished and cast into the fire; but he was seen in the midst of the flame with three men chanting, of whom the face of one shone brighter than the sun, and he himself came out unharmed, but the flame consumed those who stood around, and the governor as well. Then he was sent to Heraclea in Thrace, where he was beheaded and buried. Afterwards, when Constantine the Great had built a temple, he brought his relics and deposited them therein.

And the contest of the holy martyr Dioscorides.

Dioscorides, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Smyrna. Being a Christian, he preached Christ openly, and taught all who came to him in His name; and he turned many of the infidels from their ancestral error which they had received from their forefathers, and baptized them. Having been seized by the idolaters, who could not bear to hear Christ being preached openly, he was scourged. Then, having been bound, he was delivered to the governor. And having been questioned by him, and having confessed himself a Christian, he was tortured and sent off to prison, where he endured severe trials for many days. Afterwards, he was taken out of the prison and was again compelled to deny Christ; and since he refused to do so, he was suspended, and being [tortured]... And persisting in his...

confession of Christ, he was put to death by the order of the governor. ^A

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Twelfth.

Our holy Father Epiphanius was from the region of Phoenicia, born of Jewish parents. But while they persisted in the worship of the Law, he himself ran to Christ and, having been baptized, became a monk. Afterwards, he was ordained Bishop of Cyprus, and served God in such a way that he was found worthy to perform miracles. As he struggled for the orthodox faith, he endured many trials from the heterodox; and in order to strengthen the truth with his words and to drive the heretics from the Church, he traveled to Constantinople. Being compelled by Eudoxia to sign for the exile of Chrysostom, he could not be induced to do so. But when she threatened that, unless he did this, she would open the temples of the idols, he allowed himself to be persuaded and signed. When Chrysostom learned of this, he wrote to him: "Epiphanius, since you have consented to my exile, you shall not sit upon your throne." He, however, wrote back: "Athlete John, be beaten, and conquer." Eventually, sailing to Cyprus, he ended his life upon the ship. ^B

And the memory of our holy Father Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Germanus lived during the reign of Heraclius, the son of the Patrician Justinian, whom the son of Heraclius, out of envy, killed; and he had Germanus himself made a eunuch, and appointed him to the clergy of the Great Church. He first gave himself over to the meditation of the divine Scriptures, and to religious exercise, and devoted himself entirely to the acquisition of other virtues. Afterwards he was ordained Bishop of the church of Cyzicus. Then, being transferred from Cyzicus, he was promoted to the cathedra of Constantinople, becoming Patriarch. There he illuminated the people with his teaching, and explained the deeper mysteries of the divine Scriptures, and continued until the reign of Leo the Isaurian. When he saw him turning away from the holy images, and was able to persuade him neither by reasons nor by exhortations to desist from his heresy, he laid his omophorion—that is, his pallium—upon the holy table, and went away to his own house. There he lived a quiet life, where, offering constant prayers to God, he departed to God at the age of ninety. ^C

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Thirteenth.

Glyceria was a martyr of Christ in the times of the Emperor Antoninus and the governor Sabinus, in the city of Trajanopolis in Thrace. When, one day, the governor was sacrificing to the idols, she, armed on her forehead with the venerable sign of the cross, approached him and professed herself a Christian and a servant of Christ. Then, at the urging of the governor...

that she should sacrifice, she entered the temple of the idols, and having prayed to Christ, she cast down the image of Jupiter and shattered it. For this reason, she was suspended by her hair and torn with iron claws, and cast into prison, where she was fed by an angel. Then, brought out of prison, she was thrown into a fiery furnace; but the fire being extinguished by a divine dew, she emerged unharmed. Then she was scalped, and having been locked away in prison and healed by an angel, she caused the jailer to believe in Christ; he was immediately beheaded. The holy woman, having been exposed to wild beasts, was perfected. And her relics were deposited in the city of Heraclea in Thrace.

And the contest of the holy martyr Alexander.

Alexander, the martyr of Christ, was in the time of the Emperor Maximian, serving in the army under the Count Numerian. When the count with the cohort subject to him was sacrificing to the idols, Alexander alone not only refused to sacrifice to the idols, but also called the count and those with him deluded, and worshippers of demons. Seized therefore, he was led to Maximian, and being questioned, and having confessed Christ, he was severely beaten. Then he was handed over to the governor Tiberianus, to be tortured on the journey from the city of Rome as far as Byzantium. And first indeed he was scorched with fire on his sides; then he was whipped with thorny rods, his mother following him and urging him to have a ready and cheerful spirit. When he was brought to Beroea in chains, and by his prayers brought forth water, he persuaded many of the idolaters to embrace the faith of Christ; and having arrived in the city of Drizipara in Thrace, he received death by the sword.

And the memory of the holy confessor Sergius.

Sergius, the confessor of Christ, was born in Constantinople of noble and wealthy parents. But as he venerated the divine and holy images, he was seized by the Iconoclasts. And being brought before the impious Emperor Leo, he was compelled, sometimes by blandishments, sometimes by threats, to abandon the veneration of the holy images. But not being persuaded, but rather regarding the tyrant as a loathsome thing, and counting his words and threats as nonsense, he declared with great confidence of spirit that the holy images ought to be venerated, and deservedly honored by all Christians, just as if that honor were being offered to the prototype. Then, having a rope tied around his neck, he was dragged through the market-place like a criminal. Then he was thrown into prison, and having been fined and stripped of his wealth, he was sent into exile with his wife, Irene, and his children. Where, having endured many tribulations and various hardships, he migrated to the Lord.

And the memory of our holy Father Pausicacus.

Our holy Father Pausicacus was from the city of Apamea, born of pious parents. Since he was a physician by profession, he traveled through cities and regions, healing...

^A all the sick without charge. Then, hating the world and loving Christ, he withdrew into a monastery and became a monk; and he progressed so much in virtue—fasting, keeping vigil, and occupying himself with constant prayers—that he was deemed worthy of great gifts. His food was only modest bread, and water likewise. Because of his virtue, he was appointed Bishop of Synada by Cyriacus, Patriarch of Constantinople, although he was unwilling, during the reign of Maurice, whom he had also healed of a most grave disease. Afterwards, guiding correctly the flock entrusted to him, he lived until the reign of the impious Leo the Iconoclast; and in extreme old age he departed to the Lord.

OF THE SAME MONTH.

Contest of the holy martyr Isidore.

Isidore, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Decius, and was from the city of Alexandria. While he was fulfilling the duty of an *optio* in the military, he set out for the island of Chios with a fleet of ships, which Numerius commanded; and he was denounced by Julius the centurion to this same Numerius as being a Christian. Therefore, having been seized and brought before him, and being asked whether he confessed Christ, he said: "I confess Christ, as the maker of heaven, earth, and sea, and I believe in Him as truly God and the Son of God, born for the salvation of men from the holy Virgin Mary, and become man without seed and without corruption." By these teachings and words, he astonished him, and was first tortured with various torments. But since he bore an immutable spirit toward Christ, and endured the punishments nobly, he was finally beheaded with a sword and received the crown of martyrdom. ^B

And the contest of the holy martyr Maximus.

Maximus, the martyr of Christ, burning with divine zeal, when he saw idolaters not only dedicating themselves to idols, but also tricking others into error and compelling them to worship them and hold them as gods, groaned and was saddened, and prayed to God that He might compose the persecution; and at the same time, preaching Christ now secretly, ^C now openly and freely, he was converting many of those who came to him to the Lord, and baptizing them. On one day, however, when victims were being sacrificed, and all the Greeks were eagerly running to the abominable sacrifices, and were sacrificing not only animals but even humans, he, unable to bear the wickedness, stood in their midst, openly rebuked them, calling the idols soulless stones and wood, which could not even help themselves. Then, being seized by the unbelievers, and first tortured with various torments, he was finally stoned. And thus he departed to the Lord. ^D

ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SAME MONTH.

^A Memory of our holy Father Theodore the Sanctified.

Our holy Father Theodore, who on account of his holiness and purity earned the title of "the Sanctified," loved God from infancy. Anticipating religious exercise, he meditated diligently upon the law of God. Thus he became wholly pure, a vessel chosen and useful for the performance of the commandments, and a temple and holy dwelling-place of God. Having surpassed all visible, corruptible things that fall under the eyes, and having lifted his mind to the intelligible things—those which can neither be seen nor corrupted—he became a companion-in-dwellings and like-minded with the holy Pachomius, appearing as a peer to the saints of his circle. Whence, having appeared worthy of the great title of being called "the Sanctified," he abounded in the power of many miracles. And for this reason, having become wondrous and famous to all, and having profited many not only by his speech but also by the conduct of his life, he departed to God in deep old age.

Memory of the holy Achillius, Bishop of Larissa.

Achillius the Wonderworker flourished during the reign of Constantine the Great. Being the son of Christian parents, he was taught piety by them, and was instructed in the teachings of external sages. Then, having also diligently studied the divine Scripture, and having disciplined himself in word and virtue, he was ordained high priest of Larissa. And having demonstrated many achievements and miracles, he was also present at the council in Nicaea ^B together with the divine Fathers, against the heretic Arius; and, having contended well for the dogmas of Orthodoxy, and having put the heretics to shame, he was admired by all. After returning from Nicaea to his own throne, and having worked many miracles, and having erected various great temples to the glory of God and His saints, he departed to Him rejoicing.

Struggle of the holy martyr Heraclius and those with him.

The martyrs of Christ, Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, being from the city of Athens and being Christians, preached the name of Christ with boldness, exhorting all idolaters to turn away from vain idols and to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. On this account, having been seized by the idolaters, they were delivered to the governor of Athens. And when they were questioned according to custom, they confessed Christ, teaching that He is the true God and Creator of creation; but that the idols are false figments, manufactured from stones and wood and the works of art. ^D Therefore, having angered the governor by speaking the truth, they were beaten severely; and having first passed through every other torment, they were later cast into a great furnace of fire together with their disciples, and were perfected.

The contest of the holy martyr Peter and those with him.

Peter, a martyr of Christ, was from the city of Lampsacus. Being seized by the idolaters, he was handed over to the governor of Abydos. When he was told to sacrifice to the idols and refused, his body was broken with wooden rods and he yielded up his spirit. ^A Paul and Andrew, however, who were serving under the same governor of Abydos, went with him to Athens. When they were seized, along with Dionysius and Christina, they were ordered to be kept in prison. But instructed by the holy Christina, they abandoned the ancestral error of the idols and came to Christ. Since they were known to be Christians, they were first subjected to many torments because they would not sacrifice to the unclean demons, and were later stoned to death. The holy Christina threw herself upon them and, having wept, gave her sacred head to be cut off.

The contest of the holy martyrs Simeon, Isaacius, and Bachthisoes.

Simeon, Isaacius, and Bachthisoes, martyrs of Christ, were from the region of Persia in the time of the impious Sapor. Being Christians, they were seized by the fire-worshippers and handed over to Sapor; they were forced to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the sun and fire. ^B They answered, saying: "We do not deny Christ, since He is the true God and Creator of all creatures; but we turn away from the sun and the fire, as they are His creatures." By this they stirred the tyrant to anger. For this reason, they were bound by their hands and feet to four posts and were cruelly beaten. Afterward, they were thrown into prison and consumed no food for seven days. Brought out from the prison after this, and having endured various torments, they finally and willingly offered their precious and sacred heads to be cut off, and were thus perfected.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The sixteenth day.

The contest of the holy martyrs Abdas and Abdiesus, bishops, and those with them.

The holy Abdiesus, who was a bishop in Persia, having been denounced to the king of the Persians by his own nephew, who was a deacon, was seized ^D together with thirty-nine other Christians and brought before him. When interrogated, he confessed Christ. He was then sent to the brother of the king, so that he might be punished by him. But he confuted and astonished even him with his divinely-wise words. For this reason, he was bound with cords and squeezed between pieces of wood, and his bones were broken. Then he was thrown into prison as one dead, tasting no food for many days. After this, Abdas the bishop was also seized, with twenty-eight men—presbyters, and deacons, and holy virgins, and women—and they were shut up in the prison, where they were instructed by the bishop

Finally, after a few days, they were taken out of the prison and all were beheaded.

The memory of our holy Father George, bishop of Mitylene.

Our holy Father George, having loved God from his childhood and hated the world, retreated into a certain monastery to become a monk, and by the loftiness of his humble spirit he cast down the pride of the demons. Since he was merciful beyond measure, he generously gave his own bread to the poor daily. When his virtue became widely known, he was ordained bishop of Mitylene through the earnest prayers of the people. ^B Having taken charge of the church, he governed it well; being an opponent of every heresy and a champion of orthodoxy, he freed it from errors by refuting the mistakes of the heterodox and defending orthodox doctrine. Foreknowing his own passing, he died and was buried, having ensured that his own tomb would spring forth with healings and emit the graces of all kinds of miracles, by which all the ailments of those who approach him with faith are healed.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The seventeenth day. The memory of the holy apostle Andronicus, one of the Seventy, and Junia.

Andronicus, the apostle of Christ, having traveled over the whole world as if he had wings by which he was carried, and preaching Christ, uprooted every error ^C from its foundations; he planted all piety and knowledge of God, having with him as a partner and assistant in the divine preaching the admirable Junia, who was dead to the world and the flesh, and who lived and served Christ alone. Wherefore, drawing many of the unbelievers to the knowledge of God and bringing them to Christ, and making them sons of light and day through divine baptism, they destroyed the shrines of idols and built churches for Christ everywhere. Of these saints the great apostle Paul, the luminary of the world, makes mention in his Epistles, saying, "Salute Andronicus and Junia." ^D When, therefore, they had cast out unclean spirits from men and healed incurable diseases, they migrated to the Lord.

And the martyrdom of the holy martyr Solochon and those with him.

The martyr of Christ, Solochon, lived during the reign of Maximian; he was an Egyptian by birth, a soldier by profession, enlisted in the order commanded by the tribune of the region, along with three thousand other soldiers. When, because of a certain matter, he had come to Chalcedon with the tribune by the emperor's command, the same emperor commanded the commanders that they, and each with their own soldiers, should sacrifice to the idols, and that each with their own ranks should offer victims according to custom; and similarly the tribune and those who were with him. But while everyone was offering sacrifices, three only resisted the will of the emperor, professing themselves to be Christians: Solochon and two other

soldiers. And they were beaten to such an extent that their loins swelled and their heads became unnaturally enlarged. 104 Now the two of them died while being scourged; but Solochon lived for a little while longer. Then the tribune, made excessively angry, took a sharpened reed and drove it into his ear, and by this means killed him.

And the memory of Stephen, patriarch of Constantinople.

This man was the son of the illustrious Basil, emperor of the Romans; but because of his high-minded character, his religious prudence, and his moderation of spirit, along with the loftiness of his virtue, while he was still a youth, by the vote of the emperor, the holy synod, and the entire clergy and people—and what is more important to say, ^B by the good pleasure and judgment of God—he was ordained patriarch of Constantinople. Being installed upon the great and holy throne, and having undertaken the care of the great flock, he applied his soul to the governance of the Churches of God. In this office he proved to be a most vigilant guardian and a true shepherd, leading his sheep to the pastures of the orthodox faith, showing mercy to the poor, defending widows and orphans, and rescuing others who were oppressed by injuries from the hands of the unjust. Since he conducted himself in this way, and macerated his flesh with temperance, he departed to Christ in the very flower of his age.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The eighteenth day. The contest of the holy martyr Theodotus and his companions.

Theodotus, martyr of Christ, with eight holy virgins—Tecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, Phaina, Euphrasia, Matrona, Julia, and Theodota—were from the city of Ancyra in Galatia. Since the governor of the city had ordered food prepared for Christians to be sprinkled with offerings to the idols so that those who ate of it might be defiled, he himself, under the guise of trade, bought wheat and made bread, which he then distributed to the needy Christians. But he also entered the prisons, confirming the faithful; among whom were the holy virgins, one of whom, named Tecusa, was his aunt. These were bound with stones 105 and drowned in a lake situated near the city. But when Theodotus had collected their remains, he buried them. Being subsequently discovered and seized, he was first subjected to torments, and finally put to death by the sword.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The nineteenth day. The contest of the holy hieromartyr Patricius, bishop of Prusa, and his companions.

Our holy Father Patricius was bishop of the city of Prusa. When he came to those who approached him to be taught the faith of Christ, he was seized and brought before the governor of Bithynia: ^C at which point, upon being interrogated, he freely confessed Christ. But when the governor said that gods ought to be honored—Zeus, and Apollo, and Dionysius, and the others, who are

whose providence causes the hot waters to spring forth for the benefit of mankind—the saint answered that the hot waters spring forth by the power of Christ, and not of the idols, which are inanimate wood and senseless stones. For this reason, he was forcibly thrown into the very boiling hot waters, but came out unharmed, while all the executioners were burned to death. And after having been tortured in various ways previously, he finally received his end by the sword, together with Acacius, Menander, and Polyanus, his disciples. ^A

And the contest of the holy martyr Colluthus.

The martyr of Christ, Colluthus, lived during the reign of Maximian, and was from a city of the Thebaid in Egypt. Because of his confession of Christ, he was seized by those who worshipped the idols and handed over to the governor of the region; and having been neither enticed by flatteries nor terrified by threats, he freely confessed Christ. For this reason, he was first suspended head-downward with a great stone tied to his neck. And while being whipped by the executioners, he said: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Afterwards, being taken down from the wood upon which he had been suspended, he was compelled to go into the temple of the idols and offer sacrifice. And because he refused to do this, he received sentence to be committed to the flames; and having been thrown into a furnace that was intensely heated, he had the end of his temporal life.

And the contest of the holy martyr Philetærus and those with him.

^C Philetærus, the martyr of Christ, was born and bred in the city of the Nicomedians, the son of Tatianus the ex-prefect, a man of tall stature, handsome, white as snow, having the hair of his head and beard glistening like gold. Being a Christian, he was seized by the infidels and brought before the impious emperor Diocletian; and having reproved him for the evil things he was doing, and called him an enemy of Christ, he was severely beaten. And having been thrown into a furnace of fire, he came out unharmed, whereat Diocletian was amazed and released him. But after the death of Diocletian, when Maximian, his son-in-law, had taken over the empire, the saint was again seized; and having been punished in many ways, he then performed miracles and caused many to believe in Christ, and to be perfected, some by the sword and others by fire. Similarly, ^D the martyr Cyriaca was consumed by fire, and the count who guarded them was finally beheaded together with the saint.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The twentieth day.

The contest of the holy martyr Thalelæus and those with him.

Thalelæus, the martyr of Christ, lived in the reign of the emperor Numerian and was a physician by profession. Having been seized in the city of Anazarbus in Cilicia, he was brought to Theodore

^A the governor, who ordered the executioners to bore through his ankles and to hang him head downwards. And when the executioners attempted to do this, being struck with madness by divine power, they bored through and hung up a piece of the wood that lay nearby instead of the saint, and believing that they were mocking the governor, they were beaten. From these, Alexander and Asterius, having seen the miracle, believed in Christ and were beheaded. Moreover, the governor desiring with his own hands to bore through the holy ankles, was unable to rise from his throne, his backside having become stuck to the throne, and his hands having withered. Again, many believed in the Lord. Then, through the prayers of the saint, the governor was healed, and rising from the throne, he beheaded him.

And the contest of the holy martyr Ascalon.

^B This man was from the region of the Thebaid in Egypt; and having been seized on account of his faith in Christ, he was brought in bonds to the governor Arianus. By whom, upon being interrogated, as he freely professed Christ, he was hung upon the rack and his sides were torn with iron claws. Then, having been thrust into prison as if dead, when he saw the governor crossing the river in a boat, he prayed that he might not reach the land before he confessed in writing the divinity of Christ. Then, indeed, the governor was detained in the river and could not cross it. To whom the saint said: "It shall not be permitted to you to leave this place unless you confess in writing that Christ is God." And so, receiving the paper, the governor wrote that the God of the Christians is great, and that there is no other existing besides Him. Which being done, he immediately left, and ordered the saint to be brought before him, and to be hung, and his sides ^C to be burned with fiery torches; finally, having been bound to a stone, he was cast into the river, where he received the end of his martyrdom.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-first day.

Memory of the most pious and great emperors Constantine and Helena.

Constantine the Great, and the first of the Christian emperors, was the son of Constantius, the Roman Caesar, and of Helena; of Constantius, I say, who was surnamed Chlorus, and who alone among the other emperors used to invoke the providence from above, and refrain from idols. Therefore, seeing the Christians subjected to torments, he felt compassion, and taught his son to implore in wars the help of the divine providence, and not that of idols. Hence, after the death of his father, ^D while invoking the supernal providence, he saw in heaven the venerable cross, and heard a voice saying to him: "Constantine, in this conquer"; and he cast down the enemy. Thereafter, having obtained the empire, he indeed overturned idols; but he raised up churches, and founded cities; and he discovered the cross of Christ through his mother Helena. And when he had done many things rightly, he departed to the Lord.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY.

Basiliscus, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Maximian; he was from the region of the Armenians, and was a nephew of the holy great martyr Theodore. Having previously contended alongside the holy Eutropius and Cleonicus, who were soldiers of the holy Theodore, when they were perfected for Christ’s sake, he was left behind in prison. Beseeching God that he might complete the course of his witness, he was urged by Him to join his kinsmen, as he was destined to undergo martyrdom in Comana. Having therefore taken leave of his own people, he was seized by the governor Agrippa and led as a prisoner to Comana. And working miracles along the way, he persuaded many to believe in Christ. Upon arriving at Comana, ^B and having prayed, he brought down fire from heaven, which burned the temple of Apollo and the idol. Because of this, he was beheaded and thrown into the river. Later, his relics were recovered and deposited in Comana.

And the memory of the holy apostle Jude.

Jude, the divine apostle, after the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, having taken up a divine zeal, traveled through every city and region, preaching Christ with a loud voice and His resurrection from the dead, announcing Him to all, and demonstrating Him to be the judge of the living and the dead. He explained how, for our salvation, being the Word and Son of God the Father, He emptied Himself, came down to earth, and becoming incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the ever-virgin Mary, became man, taking on the whole of Adam ^C except for sin. He was tempted, treated with contumely, reviled, slapped by the hand which He Himself had formed, was cast out, and finally nailed to the cross, was buried, and rose again, appeared to the apostles, ascended, and sits at the right hand of the Father in the heavens, and is coming again to judge the living and the dead. Having taught these things, and baptized many of the unbelievers, he departed in peace to the Lord.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY.

Our holy Father Simeon was from Antioch in Syria, and he flourished in the reign of Justinian the Elder. He was conceived according to a promise, for the Forerunner and Baptist had announced this to his mother. When he was born, while he was suckling, he refused the left breast, God thus indicating that he would love the right path of the commandments. When he had grown and left the world behind, he took to the mountain; and going to a monastery where he strove beyond human endurance, he became a monk. He shone forth in virtue to such a degree that he even performed stupendous miracles. Thereafter, descending from the mountain, he ascended upon a pillar, having stood upon it

^A for eighteen years. And having arrived at the wondrous mountain, he ascended a rock and endured there for ten years. Then, having ascended a small pillar, he continued for forty-five years, so that the time of his life was eighty-five years; of which he spent seventy-nine in the ascetic life, and departed to God.

And the memorial of our holy father and ^B confessor Michael, bishop of Synnada.

Our holy father and confessor of Christ, Michael, was a pious monk and one who feared God; and because of his virtuous manner of life, he was consecrated bishop of Synnada in the times of the Iconoclast emperor Leo. But because he continued struggling for the orthodox faith, teaching the Lord’s people things pertaining to salvation, and striking the heretics with his words as with arrows and driving them from his flock, he stirred the apostate emperor to anger. Being summoned, therefore, by him, he was compelled to renounce the veneration of the all-venerable icons. And when he steadfastly refused to do this, he was subjected to most harsh exiles: where, having endured very many tribulations for the sake of the truth and the upright dogmas, and having persevered immutable until the end, he received the end of this life rejoicing, adorned with a double crown, namely, that of the priesthood and of confession.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day. The contest of the holy martyr Meletius the general and his companions, ^C one thousand two hundred and fifty.

Meletius, the martyr of Christ, was a general in the time of the emperor Antoninus, from the region of lower Galatia. Being a Christian, he prayed that God would utterly destroy the error of the idols. But the demons, knowing their own ruin, entered into dogs and lamented their own destruction, the dogs wandering about, howling, and filling the people with terror; whom holy Meletius, together with the soldiers under him, destroyed by the sword; and furthermore, demolishing the temples of the heathens, he shattered the idols that were in them. Wherefore, having been apprehended by Maximus the governor, together with the counts who were with him, he was compelled to sacrifice to the idols. But when he would not even ^D listen to such a thing, he and his counts were beaten with iron balls. Then the holy Meletius, having been suspended on a pine tree and fastened with nails, was brought to his end; but Stephanus and Joannes the counts were beheaded.

And the contest of the holy martyr Sarapion and his companions.

Sarapion, the martyr of Christ, was by birth an Egyptian; but at the time when the holy Meletius was undergoing his contest, having arrived from Egypt and seeing him and those with him being crowned by martyrdom, he believed in Christ. And having been apprehended shortly thereafter, he was cast into prison: where

^A he was ordained bishop by a divine angel, that he might baptize those who were still unilluminated, but who were to suffer martyrdom for Christ on that day. For the kinsmen of holy Meletius, and of the counts, and of the soldiers, along with the women and children, gathering together, said with a loud voice: "We too are Christians." Then, having provoked the governor to anger, the bishop Sarapion, along with Callinicus the magician who had turned to the faith, was beheaded; but Theodorus and Faustus, along with the men who had believed, were committed to the flames and met their end; and the remaining multitude, cut down by wood [clubs], perished.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY.

^B The Contest of the holy martyr Therapon.

We do not know whence Christ’s holy martyr Therapon originated, or of what parents he was born, or in what times he lived, as his records, it seems, have perished with the lapse of time. This alone, however, we have learned: that he became a monk and bishop of Cyprus, and that he finished the athletic contest and was brought to Christ through blood, having been fully assured of this not only from the unwritten tradition of our forefathers, but also from his icons. And this pertains to what happened earlier. Later, however, when the Saracens intended to attack Cyprus, the saint appeared to his sacristan and said to him: "Arise quickly, and taking my relics, transport them to Constantinople. For the enemies of the cross of Christ are about to land on this island and will lay these places waste." His relics were therefore transported and deposited in Constantinople, where they pour forth healings.

And the memorial of our holy Father and confessor John the Psychaitee.

John, our Father among the saints, having loved Christ from infancy and imitated the ways of Elias and John the Forerunner, abandoned the world; and going away to the laura of Psychaita, he became a monk; and he gave himself over to such austerity that he received from God the gift of driving out demons and curing diseases. ^C But as he struggled during the time of the iconoclasts and championed the orthodox doctrines, he was reported to the one exercising tyranny, and being summoned, he was compelled to renounce [the faith] and to sign the tome of impiety. But, refusing to do this, and instead rebuking the emperor and calling him a heretic, he was exiled. There, having endured many tribulations from the lawless and unjust iconoclasts, he changed his life [for death].

And the contest of the holy holy-martyr Therapon.

Therapon, the holy martyr of Christ, being a priest— ^D

of the holy church in Sardis, and because through his teaching he converted many of the unbelievers to our Lord Jesus Christ and baptized them, he was seized by the governor Valerian, bound, and thrown into prison. ^A Being brought out from there, he was taken bound to Synaus, and near the river he was stretched out supine upon the pavement, fastened to four stakes, and beaten so severely that his flesh was lacerated by the rods. The earth, irrigated by his blood, produced a very large oak plant, which is seen to this day evergreen, healing every disease and every infirmity of those who approach it. After this, he was led away into the Thracesian Theme, near the river Hermus, in the bishopric of Satalos; and having been subjected to many torments and afflictions, he finally received the crown of martyrdom. ^B

And the contest of the holy martyr Pancharius.

Pancharius, a martyr of Christ, was born and raised in ancient Rome, and had faithful parents. But when he was honored with temporal rank by the idolatrous emperors and was familiar to them, he turned aside from the straight path through the operation of the devil, denied Christ, and joined himself to the idols. Wherefore, being accepted by the idolatrous emperors, he lived his life in great honor. When his mother understood this, weeping much, she signified to him by letter that he should withdraw from the worship of idols and return to Christ, recalling to his memory the punishments, the Gehenna, and the prison prepared for those who had denied Christ. ^C But he, having received the letters and being stung in his soul, returned to the religion: when this was known, the emperor ordered him to be beheaded.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-sixth day. Memory of the holy apostle Carpus, one of the seventy.

He was counted among the seventy disciples and apostles by Christ Himself; and serving the great Paul in his preaching, and carrying his divine epistles to those to whom he was sending them, he brought many of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ. And having his mind illuminated by the brightness of the Paraclete, like an ^D inaccessible star rising from the East, he illuminated the whole world with his divine teachings, performing great miracles daily and casting out most wicked spirits, and bringing cities and peoples to the faith of Christ. Consequently, he suffered many afflictions from the unbelievers. But with a manly spirit, taking up the laborious contest of martyrdom, he did not fear the angry temper of the princes. Wherefore, since he had glorified God in his members, he was gloriously glorified by Him: and departing in peace, he delivered his spirit into the hands of God.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY.

St. Theodora flourished in the times of Diocletian. When, having been brought before the prefect of Alexandria, she confessed Christ, she was cast into a brothel; but having poured forth prayers to God, she preserved herself incorrupt. For a certain Christian, Didymus by name, moved by God, entered into her presence in military attire. She, however, struck with fear, fled into a corner of the house. But Didymus, bidding her to be of good courage—being assured that she would suffer nothing of what she feared—clothed her in his military garment and commanded her to go out from the house; while he himself, putting on her female garment and covering his head with a veil, remained in her place. But when a certain profligate entered, and realizing that the person in the female guise was a man, he reported the whole matter to the prefect. Wherefore, the saint was immediately apprehended and beheaded. After this, St. Theodora was also seized, and when her head had been severed by the sword, her body was cast into the fire.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY.

Heliconis, the martyr of Christ, lived under the emperors Gordian and Philip, hailing from the city of Thessalonica. Being apprehended and brought before the duke of Corinth, and having confessed Christ, she was first bound by her feet to an ox-yoke, and her heels were lacerated; then, being shorn of her hair, she suffered fire over her whole body. Yet, preserved unharmed, she entered the temple of the idols, and by prayer she overturned the images of the gods. After this, her breasts were cut off. And when Justin the proconsul had succeeded to the place of the duke, the holy martyr was brought to him and cast into a burning furnace. But as the flames did not touch her—but rather consumed seventy men of the soldiers—she was stretched out upon a brazen bed heated by coals beneath. But the archangels Michael and Gabriel appeared and preserved her unharmed. Then, being thrown to the wild beasts, she suffered no harm from them, but one hundred and twenty men perished by their teeth. And then, having received the sentence of death by the sword at last, she was beheaded.

^D Contest of the holy hieromartyr Helladius.

Helladius, the holy martyr of Christ, having purified himself from his youth, was constituted bishop by the vote of God. And having been entrusted with the care of the Church, he governed it as an excellent shepherd. But because he had brought many of the Gentiles to Christ, he was seized and shut up in prison. And when the tyrants brought him forward in bonds, then his virtue shone forth the more and illuminated the souls of the faithful more brightly. For, pressing forward bravely into the contests, and speaking with all boldness for piety, and having openly confessed Christ, he was subjected to very many tortures. And as his body was shredded severely with scourges, Christ

^A appeared and healed him. After this, the tyrants, filled with rage, cast the saint into the fire. Remaining unharmed therein, he drew many to the faith of Christ. Finally, being most grievously beaten, he surrendered his spirit to God, having attained the immortal kingdom.

And the passion of the holy martyrs Crescens, Paul, and Dioscorides.

The martyrs of Christ, Crescens, Paul, and Dioscorides, residing in the city of Rome, and by their teaching bringing many of the infidels to Christ and enlightening them day by day, were denounced to the prefect of the city and, by his order, were seized and thrust into prison, receiving a command to teach no one in the name of Christ. But when they did not cease to teach those who were bound with them—many of whom believed—even in the prison, they were led out of the prison and beaten cruelly, having first been compelled to deny Christ and then to enter the temple of Jupiter and sacrifice to the idols that were therein. But when they refused to do this, and instead proclaimed Christ to all with a loud voice, they were cast into a great furnace of burning fire, and there, ^B like the three holy children of old, glorifying God, they fulfilled their martyrdom.

ON THE SAME MONTH, The twenty-ninth day. Memory of the holy Fathers who first gathered at Nicaea against Arius.

After the most holy Peter, patriarch of Alexandria, Achillas was ordained, and after him, Alexander. In his times, a certain presbyter of the Church named Arius, to whom the exposition of the divine Scriptures had been entrusted, when he saw that Alexander had been preferred to the patriarchate according to the constitution of Saint Peter, was moved by envy. ^C Since he could not construct calumnies against him, he armed his tongue against the orthodox faith, vomiting forth blasphemies against the Son of God, and saying that He was a creature and not consubstantial with the Father. Wherefore, being cast out from the Church and holding conventicles, he rent the Church. When Constantine the Great learned of this, having convoked the holy synod at Nicaea, he condemned Arius and relegated him into exile; but he embraced the holy bishops kindly and dismissed each to his own ^D lands.

And the passion of the holy virgin martyr Theodosia.

Theodosia, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Tyre. When she was eighteen years old, having been denounced as a Christian and seized by the idolaters, she was led in bonds and brought before the governor Urbanus; having been interrogated by him, she professed Christ. And when she was compelled to deny Him and to sacrifice to the idols, and would not do so, she was beaten most savagely with raw thongs upon her breasts and flanks, and her bones were crushed; and she was so torn that her entrails appeared. Thus bruised by scourges, she bore her torments in silence. When

she had recovered her breath a little, she was asked by the governor whether she was willing to sacrifice to the gods. But she, opening her mouth and fixing her eyes intently upon him, answered with a smile on her face: "You are mistaken, O man; do you not know that I have been accounted worthy of the fellowship of the martyrs of Christ?" Then the governor, becoming enraged, cast her into the sea, where she received her blessed end.

^C And the contest of the holy martyr Olbianus, bishop of the Aneorum. Olbianus, the holy martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Maximian, and was bishop of the Church of the Aneorum. Being seized by the governor Julius, he was delivered to prison, with the instruction received that he should not teach in the name of Christ. But he, preaching Christ all the more freely, proclaimed what concerned Him to everyone, constantly and without fear. For this reason, he was cast out of prison, stripped of his garments, and beaten severely; and with red-hot awls he was pierced in his belly, sides, and entrails, and was again cast into prison as if dead. But being cured by the appearing of Christ to him, he was brought again to the governor for a second examination. And when the governor—having changed his mind—entreated him to sacrifice to the idols, he again confessed Christ. Then, being cast into a great furnace, he was brought to perfection.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The thirtieth day.

Memory of our holy Father Isaacius, the confessor.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Eusebius, Romanus, Mentius, Charalampus, and Christina, and of the multitude of the holy ones who suffered martyrdom in Nicomedia. ^D

ON THE SAME MONTH. The thirty-first day.

Contest of the holy martyr Hermias.

But having been seized for his confession of Christ, he is brought before Sebastian the Duke, and is compelled by him to sacrifice to the idols. But when he refused to do so, he is beaten upon his cheeks with stones; then his facial skin is flayed, and his teeth are pulled out. Soon, thrown into a burning furnace and having emerged from it without any harm, he is ordered to eat poisoned food. But having consumed this also without any damage, he caused the man who had prepared it to believe in Christ, and to be beheaded for His sake. Then all the nerves of his body are stretched, and having been thrown into a boiling cauldron, he emerged unharmed. Then, having had his eyes gouged out and having been hung upside down, he was finally beheaded.

MONTH OF JUNE

Contest of the holy martyr Justin the philosopher.

Justin, the most wise martyr of Christ, was from Neapolis in Syria, a man who was a philosopher and possessed of great clarity of mind. Loving Christ, and turning away from those who hated Him, he was inflamed with divine zeal every day. For this reason, having gone to Rome during the reign of Antoninus, when he had written a book against the error of the idols and in favor of the faith of the Christians, he presented it to the emperor. The emperor, having admired his wisdom and knowledge, not only did not kill him, but rather commended him. But because in his dissertations to the idolaters he showed the worship of idols to be deceptive, and confirmed the religion of the Christians with written arguments, he incurred the envy of the philosopher Crescens, and, being hated by him, was sought out by treachery until he was destroyed by him.

Contest of the holy martyr Justin and his companions.

These saints also were staying in Rome, teaching in the name of Christ. Having been seized by the prefect of the city, they were cast into prison, and after several days, having been led out from there, they were brought before him. The prefect, after many and various interrogations, asked Justin thus: "Tell me, Justin," he said, "if you are beaten with lashes and decapitated, are you completely certain that you are going to ascend to heaven?" Justin said: "I hope to inherit the kingdom of heaven, if I willingly endure these torments." To this the prefect: "Do you therefore think that you are to ascend to heaven, and there receive a retribution of certain good things?" Justin said: "I do not merely think so, but I hold it with the most certain persuasion." Then, by order of the prefect, along with his holy companions, he was beheaded.

THE SAME MONTH

Memory of our holy Father and confessor Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople.

The divine pontiff Nicephorus was from Constantinople ^A

born and bred in the time of the impious Constantine, and had for parents Theodorus and Eudocia. Since Theodorus was a scribe of imperial mandates, he was accused of being a worshipper of divine images, was beaten, and was soon deported into exile to Mylasa, where he died. ^A His son, Nicephorus, being also a scribe, having renounced his dignity, wealth, and glory, made for the city on the Propontis; where, devoting himself to God and to his own soul, he attained great virtue. After the death of the most blessed patriarch Tarasius, he was appointed patriarch of Constantinople by the emperor Nicephorus, father of Stauracius. And he lasted until the reign of Leo the Iconoclast, by whom he was also exiled and cast into prison, departing to the Lord at the age of seventy; of which years he spent nine in the high priesthood, and thirteen in exile. ^B

THE SAME MONTH. The third day. The contest of the holy martyr Lucillianus and his companions.

Lucillianus, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Aurelian; he had formerly been a priest of the idols in the city of Nicomedia, now advanced in age. Having been converted to the faith in Christ, he was seized and handed over to the count Silvanus; and, not being persuaded to deny Christ, his face was crushed with stones, and after being beaten with rods, he was hung up by his head on a beam. Then, being cast into prison, he found there four children detained for the sake of the faith in Christ—Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius—and, filled with joy, he confirmed them in the faith. And together with them he was brought again before the count, and not being persuaded to deny Christ, he was thrown into a furnace of fire. And having emerged unharmed, he was led bound with the children to Byzantium. ^C The children were beheaded; but he himself was fixed to a cross and finished his life.

And the contest of the holy martyr Paula the virgin.

The martyr of Christ, Paula, being present at the contest and struggles of the holy Lucillianus and the children, both in the prison and along the way, wiped away their blood and the sores of their wounds with a sponge, healing the bodies of the saints to the best of her ability; for she was born of Christian and faithful parents. And this was her work: to visit those in prisons and to heal and nourish those who were suffering martyrdom for Christ. On account of this, therefore, she was seized and brought before the count Silvanus. ^D And not being persuaded to sacrifice to idols, she was beaten severely and, her body torn to pieces by the blows of rods, she recovered her health through the assistance of an angel. And having been brought again before the count, she was cast into a furnace of fire. And having emerged unharmed, she too was sent to Byzantium, and was beheaded in the same place where also the holy Lucillianus was.

OF THE SAME MONTH. Fourth Day. Memorial of our holy Father Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople.

^A Our holy Father Metrophanes lived in the time of the great Constantine, and was bishop of Byzantium, a kinsman of the Emperor Probus. When the Great Constantine had enlarged the buildings of Byzantium and, having changed its name, had called it Constantinople, he was promoted to the patriarchal dignity, holding the place second to that of Rome. When the first synod was gathered at Nicaea, the patriarch, because of his old age and illness, being deficient in strength, designated the first presbyter, Alexander—whom he had also named his successor—to act in his stead in the conduct of the council. After the Emperor and the holy synod had returned, when he had designated by vote Alexander as the first and Paul the confessor as the second successor to himself, and had prayed for good things for the Emperor and the synod, he rested; his relics were deposited in his own church.

OF THE SAME MONTH. Fifth Day. ^B Struggle of the holy martyrs Marcian, Nicander, and their companions.

Marcian and Nicander, martyrs of Christ, together with their companions, were born in Egypt. Having been seized by the prefect on account of their confession of Christ, and being compelled by force to deny Christ and to worship idols, and refusing to do so, they were first received with cruel lashes: presently their sides were scorched with lamps; then they were suspended and lacerated with iron hooks until their flesh fell to the ground. Afterward, half-dead, they were thrust into prison. An angel of God appearing to them, they were healed; and so, after many days, they came out of prison whole and unharmed. But having been led to the tribunal of the prefect, ^C because they had converted many of the unbelievers to the Lord on account of this miracle, they were again cast into prison, where they surrendered their souls to God.

OF THE SAME MONTH. Sixth Day. Struggle of the holy martyr women Cyria, Valeria, and Marcia.

Cyria, a martyr of Christ, and Valeria, and Marcia, hailing from the city of Caesarea in Palestine, having been taught by a certain Christian, renounced idols and impure sacrifices, approached Christ, and were baptized. Then indeed they lived a quiet life at home, persevering in much piety, in virtue, in fasting, in prayer, and in vigil. And they implored God that the imposture of idols being utterly extirpated, the Christian faith might shine throughout the whole world, and the persecution against the saints might cease. While they were doing these things, they were denounced by the idolaters to the prefect of the region and were compelled by him to deny Christ and to worship idols:

and not consenting to do these things, they were tortured, and being scourged, they were brought to their end in these very punishments. ^A

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE SEVENTH DAY.

Theodotus, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of Galatia, from the village of Malos. While he was burying the relics of the holy martyrs, he was denounced to the prefect of Ancyra, and having been seized, he was imprisoned. Then, being brought to interrogation, he strongly opposed the prefect, and mocked the gods of the Greeks, and called those who worshipped them foolish and wretched. Then, being severely beaten, he was hung upon a tree, and his sides were scorched with torches, and his flesh was torn. And after this, having received the sentence to be beheaded by the sword, he prayed, and thus his head was cut off. A certain presbyter, Phronto by name, seeing his relics being guarded by soldiers, went to them and treated them with wine, and when they had fallen asleep, he took the relics, and having placed them upon his mule, he carried them away and buried them in his own village, where they pour forth healings to this day. ^B

And the contest of the holy martyrs Nicander and Marcian.

Nicander and Marcian, the martyrs of Christ, were soldiers by rank, but pious Christians who feared God. While serving under the prefect Maximus, since they were sent by him, together with the soldiers under them, to capture Christians and lead them to him, they would urge some to flee; others they would indeed capture, but, sparing them, they took care of their needs in every way. When the prefect learned this from the idolaters, he was grieved; and having called them to himself, he inquired whether what he had heard about them was true. They, not knowing how to lie, not only affirmed that what they were asked about was true, but also confessed with boldness that they were Christians. Wherefore, having first been subjected to many tortures, they were afterwards beheaded of their precious and sacred heads. ^C

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE EIGHTH DAY.

Theodore, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Licinius. Born of noble parents in the city of Euchaita, he was educated by them in the faith, and having grown up to be a brave man, he followed a military life and was soon appointed general (stratelates) of Pontic Heraclea. He was also very fair of face and wise in knowledge. When Licinius learned this and desired to see him, he summoned him to come to him, in order to sacrifice with him to the gods. But he sent a message back to him: "It is rather for you, Emperor, to come here, so that the..." ^D

your command. Persuaded by these words, the emperor ^A departed quickly. But the martyr, meeting him as befitted the emperor, followed him with honor. But then Licinius said, "Come, Theodore, let us sacrifice to the gods." He replied, "Order them to be first delivered to me, that I may take them home and worship them there, and then at last I will sacrifice to them." Having received the silver-wrought images of the gods, he smashed them, and gave them to the poor; and upon this being known, he was punished, and thereafter beheaded. His relics were translated from there and deposited in Euchaia, near Euchaita.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The ninth day.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Pelagia of Antioch

^B She, having been accused before the prefect and fearing for her virginity, prayed to God; and having modestly covered herself, she climbed to the top of the house where she was being detained by the order of the prefect, and casting herself from it, she rendered her soul to God. The venerable John Chrysostom honored her with encomia, both for her undefiled chastity and for the excellence of her exercises in virtue.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The tenth day.

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina

These were from the village of Cardamus. The holy Antonina was leading a respectful and holy life, when she was arrested by Festus; and not wishing to deny Christ or worship demons, she was condemned to a brothel. ^C But when she had remained fasting for three days, a light shone in the night, and there was thunder, by which the doors of the prison were shattered, and a voice came from heaven to her, saying, "Arise, and take food." When therefore she had prayed and eaten, she was again brought before the prefect, by whose order, because she could not be induced to sacrifice to idols, she was trampled underfoot and beaten with palm rods; and she was cast again into the brothel. ^D Alexander, revealed by an angel, entered (for it was thought he did this to satisfy his lust, as he was a youth of about twenty-eight years of age), and having wrapped the head of the holy woman in his cloak, he led her out of the brothel; and he himself remained in her place. A little later, when soldiers had approached to shame the holy woman, the matter was revealed. Alexander was therefore led before the prefect, and he was first beaten with palm rods; afterwards, when he and the holy woman had been seized, both had the extremities of their feet and hands cut off. Finally, they were cast into a pit of fire, having had their whole bodies smeared with melted pitch; and thus they received a blessed end. Their festival is celebrated in the monastery of Maximinus, situated in Constantinople, where their relics were deposited, from which the healings of many diseases flow forth.

^A And the contest of the holy martyr Timothy, bishop of Prusa. He lived under Julian the Apostate, guiding the church allotted to him well, and feeding the people within it with spiritual nourishment. Excelling in various miracles, by the application of the veil which covered the consecrated loaves, he burst asunder and killed the great dragon which, through the malice of the man-slaying, ancient dragon who dwelt in that place, was killing passersby, and even destroying beasts just with its breath, and which had rendered the road between the city of Prusa and the Hot Springs impassable and unreachable. He was beheaded by the order of Julian the Apostate, who, having heard of the wonders he performed, sent men to kill him. His service is celebrated in his most holy martyrdom, which is inside the pious hospital in the Deutero.

And the memory of our holy Father Canis. He flourished under the reign of Theodosius the Great, born of Theodotus, his father, and Theophane, his mother, who were pious and God-loving people dwelling in the region of the Cappadocians. It is said of his mother that she abstained from all rich food while she carried him in her womb, and that, when born, the infant would always abstain from the left breast. If the mother ever ate more delicate food, he would not touch even the right breast. So, having been baptized and weaned, and passed the first stage of childhood, he bade farewell to all and took to the mountain. Having entered a small cave, he shut himself therein, dedicating himself to prayer and fasting, and once a week he tasted a very small amount of raw vegetables without salt, and he continued thus for seventy-three years. Because the place was very prone to flooding, and the cave was besieged by much moisture, the hair of his head and his beard fell out. Having lived thus for very many years, the blessed man departed to the Lord.

IN THE SAME MONTH, THE FOURTEENTH. The contest of the holy apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas. Of these, the holy Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples; having preached the Gospel to the Indians called the Happy, and having delivered to them the Gospel according to Matthew, he was crucified and finished his life gloriously in Abarnopolis. His body, placed in a leaden coffin, was cast into the sea; but by divine providence, it was carried as far as Sicily to the island of Lipari and, having appeared there, it was buried. From his holy and precious coffin, sources of many miracles gush forth, and to all who faithfully pray to him, he gives speedy healing, and they return home with joy and gladness.

Barnabas, also called Joseph in the Acts of the Apostles, was one of the Seventy and was appointed a companion of Paul in his travels. His name

^A is interpreted "Son of consolation." He was of the tribe of Levi, and was born and educated on the island of Cyprus. He was the first to preach the Gospel of Christ in Jerusalem, Rome, and Alexandria. Having set out for Cyprus, he was stoned by the Jews and Greeks and delivered to the fire. His body was taken up by the Apostle and Evangelist Mark and deposited in a certain cave. Then, when he had sailed to Ephesus and come to Paul, he informed him of the death of Barnabas. Mark mourned for Barnabas for a very long time. It is said that he was buried together with the Gospel of Matthew which had been written by his own hand, which was found later along with the apostolic body; whence the faithful received the privilege that this island of theirs should be subjected to no other bishop, but should be ordained by its own bishop. ^B

EODEM MENSE. Die duodecima. Memoria sancti Patris nostri Onuphrii.

Our holy Father Onuphrius indeed drew his origin from the region of Egypt; but he spent his time in a coenobium located near Thermopolis in Thebes. But when he heard of the life of the prophets Elijah and John the Forerunner, he imitated them, left the coenobium, sought the desert, and lived there for sixty years, during which time he saw no human being at all; until a certain monk named Paphnutius, having progressed into the interior desert to seek a blessing from holy men, found him. And when they had sat down together, as Paphnutius wished to know what had occurred during that long interval, Onuphrius replied: "All of us who inhabit the desert feed on herbs, but we receive the holy Communion from an angel." And as Paphnutius was already contemplating his departure, Onuphrius added: "Stay, my son, yet today, since the end of my life is at hand, and commit me to the grave." And having said these things, he suddenly expired, and was buried in the rock, covered by half of the cloak of the same Paphnutius; for he was naked. ^C

Et certamen sanctæ Antoninæ martyris. The martyr of Christ, Antonina, became renowned in Nicæa under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Being a Christian, she was seized by the governor, beaten with scourges, and cast into prison; afterwards, she was led out of prison, seized upon the rack, and her sides were torn. Soon she was placed upon burning coals; then her hands were pierced with glowing awls, from which she emitted a most sweet odor; finally, with her ankles pierced, she was again shut up in prison: where, cured by the visitation of Christ, she persevered in custody for two years, troubled by hunger, thirst, and other hardships. After this, extracted from custody and compelled to deny Christ, since she would by no means consent, she was thrown into a lake, where she joyfully received a blessed end. ^D

EODEM MENSE. Die decima tertia. Certamen sanctæ martyris Aquilinæ. The martyr of Christ, Aquilina, was [martyred] in the reign of Trajan...

born in the city of Byblos in Phoenicia, the daughter of a certain Eutolmius, an illustrious man. At five years of age, she received baptism from Eutalius the bishop; and becoming ten years old, she taught her young companions to abstain from the worship of idols and led them by the hand to the faith in Christ. For this reason, having been denounced to the provincial governor by a certain idolater named Nicander, she was seized. And having been brought for questioning, she confessed the name of Christ before all, and was cruelly beaten; and her ears were so scorched with red-hot iron awls that blood flowed from her nostrils and smoke issued from her head. Then, having received the sentence of beheading by the sword, she departed to the Lord, whom she had longed for. ^B

EODEM MENSE. Die decima quarta. Commemoratio sancti prophetæ Elisæi.

The great and glorious prophet of God, Elisha, was from Judea, from the land of Reboim, born of his father Josaphat. Now, at the time of his birth, a great sign occurred. For the golden heifer set up in Silom lowed with such a loud voice that it was heard in Jerusalem, so that even the priest, moved by this monstrosity, said: "A great prophet is born today in Jerusalem, who shall destroy the graven images, and break in pieces the molten images, and will work great wonders." And this indeed came to pass; for he healed the sterile waters of Jericho by casting salt into them, and he raised the dead, and cleansed Naaman the Syrian, who was a leper, and struck with leprosy his own servant ^C Giezi, who was greedy for money and disobedient; and having prophesied much concerning the coming of Christ, he died and was buried in Samaria, in the city of Sebaste.

And the commemoration of the holy hieromartyr Cyril, bishop of Crete.

The divine hieromartyr Cyril flourished in the reign of the emperor Maximian, adorned with every virtue, being the bishop of the holy church in Crete. Being ninety-five years of age, and having two servants, Theophanes and Theocharistus, he was going with them to one of the monasteries. And seeing on the way some idolaters sacrificing to idols, he groaned. And having been recognized as a Christian, he was seized by them and shut up in prison; and praying therein, he heard a voice from heaven saying to him: "Cyril, I have need of thy work in Rome." And the doors being opened, he went also to Rome. And having strengthened the brethren, ^D he returned again to Crete. And having been seized by the ruler, he received the sentence of beheading by the sword. And having been placed upon a wagon, because he could not walk on account of his old age, and having been brought to the place of execution, he was beheaded.

And the commemoration of our holy Father Methodius, patriarch of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Methodius was from...

^A Sicily; having become a monk, and having attained every virtue through various exercises, he finally reached Constantinople. And because the persecution of the iconoclasts was growing, he settled there in a monastery constructed in a certain location of the mountain of the diocese of Chios. And because he undertook to overthrow the heresy of the iconoclasts with learned arguments and Scriptural passages, and to set forth the orthodox faith to the most holy churches of God, he endured many temptations and various afflictions. But when Theophilus the emperor departed this life, and the orthodox faith shone forth, he was summoned by Theodora the empress and her son Michael, according to the prediction of the holy Joannicius, and was ordained patriarch of Constantinople. And having held the episcopate for four years and three months, he passed away. ^B

SAME MONTH. Day the fifteenth. The struggle of the holy martyr Dulas.

The martyr of Christ, Dulas, was a prefect of the region of Cilicia; but because he worshipped Christ, he was cast down from his rank and brought in bonds to the governor Maximus. And first indeed he is beaten with rods; next, because he mocked the idols, he is cast onto burning coals; afterward, his head having been anointed with oil, he was compelled to place it upon burning charcoals. Then his loins were cut with swords and lacerated with sharp potsherds. After this, being asked by the prefect how he could think that Christ, who was made of flesh, is God, he set forth all His economy in a brief account. Then, truly, having been suspended, he was flayed for so long ^C until all his bones were laid bare and his entrails poured out. And thus he was compelled to run twenty miles as he was dragged along, and at the same time being most cruelly beaten by the lictors with rods, he delivered his spirit to God.

SAME MONTH. Day the sixteenth. Commemoration of our holy Father Tychon the wonderworker.

Tychon the wonderworker, the offspring of pious parents, was consecrated to God by them. Afterward, having been taught the sacred letters, he was ordained a deacon by the bishop of Trimethus. Upon his death, he himself was raised to the episcopal ^D throne by the great Epiphanius. And having turned not a few from error to the Lord, and having performed many miracles, he migrated to the Lord, of which I shall relate only two. Once his father had handed over loaves to the boy to sell—for he was a baker—but the boy distributed the price to the needy. And when his father discovered the matter, he was moved against him; but the boy, going to his storehouse, showed it to his father filled with wheat: wherefore both glorified God. One day, finding a shoot of a vine, he made it take root in the ground; which even to this day brings forth early grapes, which they harvest mature at the time of his commemoration.

^A

And the commemoration of the holy prophet Amos.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE SEVENTEENTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE EIGHTEENTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyrs Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus.

^A them. And he ordered the holy Leontius to be beaten in prison, and the Lord received him after he was beaten.

EODEM MENSE. Die decima nona. Certamen sancti martyris Zosimi.

Zosimus, the martyr of Christ, originated from Apollonias in the region of Sozopolis during the reign of Trajan. While he was serving as a soldier under Domitian, the governor of Pisidian Antioch, he cast aside his weapons and, fleeing to the Church of God, was deemed worthy of baptism in Christ. Having been seized, he was led in chains to the governor and, upon being questioned, confessed himself to be a Christian. Stretched out by his four limbs, he was beaten most severely; shortly after, he was suspended on the rack and tormented, and was placed upon a red-hot bronze bed. As the fire turned into dew, many of the unbelievers were struck by this miracle and believed in Christ. After this, his feet were pierced with nails, and being bound to untamed horses, he was forced to run alongside the governor as he traveled to the city of the Caneotae, having remained fasting for three days. Finally, being called again for examination, as he freely confessed Christ, he was beheaded.

Et certamen sancti Judæ apostoli.

Judas, the apostle of Christ, whom the holy apostle and Evangelist Luke in the Acts calls by this name (but by the remaining apostles and evangelists Matthew and Mark is called Thaddaeus), was a brother according to the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, inasmuch as he was ^B the son of Joseph the Betrothed and brother of James the Brother-of-God; he who wrote an Epistle for all, full of light and rich in the doctrines of the Holy Spirit. Strengthened by Christ himself and filled with the Holy Spirit, he dispelled all error and illuminated all the faithful. Having gone into Mesopotamia and proclaiming the Gospel, he converted many of the unbelievers to the Lord, and proceeding to the city of Edessa, he relieved Abgar the Toparch of his disease. Finally, he sought the city of Arat; and there, having been nailed to a cross and pierced with arrows, he reached the end of his life.

EODEM MENSE. Die vicesima. Certamen sacrosancti martyris Methodii episcopi Patarorum.

Methodius, the holy martyr of Christ, consecrated himself from infancy as an honorable vessel to God, becoming a receptacle of the divine Spirit. Wherefore, he was deemed worthy of the pontificate by the vote of God, and having been created bishop of the church of Patara, he ruled his flock in excellent fashion. Perceiving, however, the spreading heresy of Origen, as an excellent pastor, he burned it with the divine fire of his own words. But since the hostile devil could not endure his ^C boldness and steadfastness, [he armed his] ministers for his destruction. And he, even before...

^A his martyrdom was accomplished, having put on a life-giving mortification and reckoning himself dead every day, according to the divine apostle Paul, offered his holy and blessed head to be cut off by the sword, and departed to the Lord, rejoicing and exulting.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY.

The contest of the holy martyr Julian in Egypt.

Julian, the martyr of Christ, was in Egypt during the reign of Diocletian. Worshipping Christ, he built a very large monastery in which he glorified God. Upon learning this, the governor sent soldiers and seized him, while he burnt the monastery, cremating all the bishops, priests, and monks he found therein. ^B Then, after scourging the saint, he threw him into prison. Bringing him out again, he led him in bonds before him; and Celtius, the son of the governor, seeing angels standing by the saint, believed in Christ, along with many others. A dead man, being carried upon a bier, suddenly arose and cried out, "I have been brought back to life because Julian prayed!" And again many believed in Christ. Therefore, the governor, in his anger, had the skin of the head of Julian, as well as that of Celtius, flayed. The governor's wife, seeing this, believed, and together with her son and the others, she was beheaded alongside the holy Julian.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY.

The contest of our holy Father ^C Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata.

Eusebius, the hieromartyr of Christ, was Bishop of Samosata under the Emperor Constantius, and was a burning zealot of the orthodox faith. But because the emperor held the views of Arius, and once threatened to cut off his hand if he did not produce and hand over the decree written by the great Meletius, it is said that he stretched out both his hands and said that he would rather have both his hands cut off than betray the decree. After the deaths of Constantius and Julian, he was driven from his own see by Valens, who was also an Arian, and was exiled to the river Ister. ^D And after the death of Valens, returning to his own church, he attained the end of a martyr. For an Arian woman threw a roof tile from a rooftop upon his head as he was passing by, and it struck him. Surviving for a little while, he charged those with him to inflict no punishment upon the woman; and thus he reached his end.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY.

The contest of the holy martyrs Zeno and Zenas.

Zeno and Zenas, the martyrs of Christ, were from the city of Philadelphia in Arabia. Zeno, indeed, was of the military order

while Zenas was his servant. Zeno, ^A strongly desiring martyrdom for Christ, after distributing all his possessions to the poor and granting his servants their freedom, went with Zenas alone to the governor Maximus; and having appeared before him, confessed Christ. Being stretched out upon the ground, he was beaten with whips and compelled to offer sacrifice to the idols. But because he stood firm, he was suspended upon the rack and cruelly mangled. Then he was cast into prison, bound in iron chains. And Zenas came and kissed his bonds. When the governor learned of this, he ordered him also to be bound along with him. Afterward, having brought both out of the prison, he ordered them to be beheaded.

The contest of the holy martyr Aristocles and his companions.

Aristocles was a priest of the Church of God from Cyprus. In the reign of Maximianus, fearing the persecution, he withdrew to a certain mountain and hid himself in a cave, where, as he prayed, he heard a voice from heaven commanding him to go to the metropolis and there undergo the contest of martyrdom. Having reached the house of the holy apostle Barnabas, he took the deacon Demetrianus and the reader Athanasius, whom he received with hospitality, and related to them all that had befallen him in the vision. Taking them as his traveling companions, he went to the metropolis to the governor; and having confessed Christ, he was cast intoprison with his companions. He himself was beheaded; but Demetrianus and Athanasius were delivered to the fire, and when they had emerged from it unharmed, ^B they too were beheaded.

141 The contest of the holy martyr Eustochius and his companions.

The martyr of Christ Eustochius was eminent in the reign of Maximianus. He was a priest of the idols, but observing the saints suffering martyrdom for Christ and performing marvelous miracles, he recognized the vanity of his own religion. Having approached Eustochius, the bishop of Antioch, he was baptized and eventually deemed worthy of the priesthood. He went to a city called Lytram, and finding his nephew Gaianus and his three sons, he baptized them into Christ, as well as his entire household. Being reported to the governor by the idolaters, and seized with all his kin, he was most severely tortured. Soon sent to Ancyra to Agrippinus, he was again tormented by the same governor with tortures of every kind. Finally, they all most readily offered themselves ^C to be beheaded.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day. The Nativity of the holy John the Forerunner.

The great and glorious prophet, Forerunner, and time, because the Forerunner was hindered from fishing in the lake of Gennesaret, he followed Christ when He was passing by the lake, and together with his brother, he became His disciple. Paul, being a Hebrew himself from the city of Tarsus, after the assumption of the Lord Jesus, persecuted the Church. But having been called himself, he became His disciple, and after traversing almost the entire inhabited world with Peter, he preached Christ. And finally, having suffered in Rome, both suffered for Christ under Nero: Peter, indeed, was crucified upside down, while Paul was beheaded.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The thirtieth day. The synaxis of the twelve holy apostles.

Although each of the holy apostles suffered martyrdom at one time or another, the Church of God nonetheless, on account of surpassing honor, celebrates the synaxis of them all, following the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and praises them all together, as those who enlightened the inhabited world. Therefore, let the first worthy of praise be Peter, the fervent disciple, who under Nero ^D was crucified upside down. The second, Paul, the vessel of election, who was beheaded under the same. The third, Andrew, the first-called, who was fixed to a tree by Aegeas. The fourth, James, the son of Zebedee, who was killed by the sword by Herod. The fifth, his brother John, who was buried alive and then translated. The sixth, Philip, who was suspended from a wall by the Greeks. The seventh, Thomas the Didymus, who was pierced with lances by the Indians. The eighth, Bartholomew, who was crucified. The ninth, Matthew, who was stoned. The tenth, James of Alphaeus. The eleventh, Simon the Zealot. The twelfth, Judas of James, who was hanged and pierced with arrows.

IN THE MONTH OF JULY. The first day. The memory of the holy unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, who were eminent at Rome.

Cosmas and Damian, martyrs of Christ, were eminent in the reign of Carinus. Being physicians by profession, they scoured every place, healing all the infirm, and accepting no payment from those whom they persuaded to embrace the faith of Christ. But when those who persisted in the error of the idols did not cease their persecution, they were compelled to renounce Christ: which they refused. But by the power of Christ, they brought the emperor back from error. Working continuously, they cured diseases, and caused many to be baptized into Christ.

^{B C D}

NICEPHORI PRAECEPTA MILITARIA

If they wish to press the siege, they establish themselves in a circle around the town, so that none of ours may have the opportunity to enter or to exit; since most of our towns are situated in fortified and difficult locations, you will easily be able to attack them, when they are stationed recklessly without a wall or guard, at some part of the night with your infantry; and you will take care that the besieged also sally forth at the same hour, and themselves too, if it is possible, join battle with the adversaries. Thus, aided also by the nature of the terrain, you will defeat them—although this, indeed, depends upon the providence of God.

If, however, on account of the difficulty and roughness of the terrain they do not dare to sit down in a circle in this manner, but all their forces are camped in two parts or in one single location, it is necessary first to burn all the food of the men and horses and to destroy it utterly, so that nothing of use to the beasts of burden or men is left in the villages or near the town or farther away. If wood is lacking and there is no forest in that region, the very roofs of the buildings must be burned. Thus, it is necessary for the enemy, on account of the difficulty of gathering wood and the shortage of grain, to send their soldiers further afield to fetch necessary supplies. There, you, if you perform the duties of a leader skillfully, will be able to harass and rout them by placing ambushes, so that for this reason, and at the same time compelled by the lack of food, they may lift the siege.

When you see them persevering in the siege and those within the town being in distress, you ought to think about waging war by night, having gathered together your infantry along with the cavalry. When you have positioned these appropriately according to the nature of the place for the horsemen, arrange the battle for the night, as I shall demonstrate below in the chapter on night fighting. In this way you will break them and compel them to abandon the siege of the town. If, however, some cause prevents a battle from taking place at night, and the besieged, although they are equipped with provisions, are in need of a garrison, you can introduce a reinforcement of defenders, or if they are pressed by a lack of grain, food supplies, in the following manner:

Having gathered your entire army into one place and divided it into two, let the soldiers of one part take on the horses they ride four modii of grain for each. Assign to these other light-armed horsemen, carrying nothing but their weapons, who are solely for the protection of the others. You, however, with the remaining armed army from a different direction at the same hour when those carrying the grain are about to be near the town, appear suddenly around the middle of the night with shouting and the sound of trumpets, as if you are about to join battle with them immediately. Thus, while the enemies prepare themselves for the fight against you and hasten to meet you, those who carry the grain will have gained the opportunity to bring it into the town and will return unharmed. By a stratagem of this kind, you will be able to introduce both an addition to the garrison and provisions.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-sixth day. 143 Commemoration of our holy Father John, bishop of the Goths.

^A Our holy Father John, like the great prophet Jeremiah, was sanctified from infancy, having been born to pious and faithful parents by promise, and at the same time offered by them to God as a gift, and consecrated to the Church of the bishopric of Gothia, in the reign of Emperor Leo the Isaurian. When he had reached the measure of both spiritual and bodily age, it behoved him to ascend the pontifical throne; he was elected by the suffrages of his own people and sent into Iberia, and was ordained by the bishop who was there at that time; for the heresy of the Iconoclasts was prevailing in Constantinople. And having returned, and having governed his flock well, he came to Constantinople after the death of Isaurus; where, being received by the Empress Irene, he returned again to his own church: but, being harassed by his own people, he fled to Amastris, and there he ended his life.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-seventh day. Commemoration of our holy Father Cyril, bishop of Alexandria.

Our holy Father Cyril, born in Alexandria, was the nephew of Theophilus, patriarch of the same city. Endowed with a keen intellect, he learned all the literature of the Greeks and Christians, and arrived at the highest pinnacle of virtue. Wherefore, after the falling asleep of Theophilus, by the common suffrage of the Alexandrians ^C he was raised to the pontifical throne. And having taken up the flock, as a vigilant pastor, he drove away the heretics as wolves; but he confirmed the orthodox in the doctrines of the truth. He even deposed the heretical Nestorius, who said that the Mother of God should simply be called the Mother of the Lord. Against him he protested, and preached it as a dogma, that she ought truly and properly to be called the Mother of God, and for this reason he assembled an ecumenical synod at Ephesus in the times of Theodosius the Younger. After this he returned to Alexandria, and having written many books against every heresy, he departed in peace to God.

144 And the commemoration of our holy Father David of Thessalonica.

^D Our holy Father and wonder-worker David derived his origin from the parts of the East; but coming to the West, he adorned it with virtues, like a most splendid star. For surely, as they say, he became a monk from his tender fingernails, and by abstinence and chastity subdued the affections of the flesh, appearing as an angel in a body. Truly, of greater labor and more excellent virtue, he desired a flight from the earth, and an ascent into the heavens; and having found an almond tree, a seat suitable for him near Thessalonica, he ascended to it; and sometimes standing, sometimes sitting...

he prayed to God continually. He would dismiss those who came for the sake of profit, after confirming them and teaching them what pertains to salvation. And thus he passed his days, enduring the hardships of cold and heat; and when he had been enriched with the power of miracles and had served God in all things, he migrated to Him.

^B And the commemoration of our holy Father Sampson the Xenodochos.

Our holy Father Sampson was from old Rome, a kinsman of the great Constantine. Having distributed all his patrimony among the needy, he became indigent for Christ's sake, came to Constantinople, and lived intent upon prayer in the temples of the holy prophets. Having secured leisure, he meditated upon the divinely inspired Scriptures. Because of such virtues, when he became known to the Patriarch Menas, he was ordained a presbyter of the Great Church; and he subsequently became a saving harbor for those laboring and for the sick. For, being learned in the art of medicine, he even healed the Emperor Justinian of an incurable malady, by whom he was held in the highest regard and love. He therefore founded a Xenodochion for the relief of the poor and the infirm; and having performed many notable works and miracles, he fell asleep in peace. His relics were deposited in the temple of the holy martyr Mocius.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-eighth day. ^C The finding of the relics of the holy martyrs Cyrus and John.

Cyrus and John, the martyrs of Christ, flourished under the Emperor Diocletian. Cyrus was from the city of Alexandria, and John was from the city of Edessa, both physicians by profession. Having recognized each other due to their common calling, they traveled through every island and territory, healing not only bodies but also souls. And since they made many Christians more eager and ready to undergo martyrdom, they were denounced to the prefect of that place. And having first been subjected to tortures by him, they were finally beheaded. And although their precious relics were at one time concealed, they were later revealed in Alexandria under the Emperor Arcadius and Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria; they continue to the present day to perform innumerable miracles to the glory of Christ and our God, for whom they suffered, whose anniversary ^D we, all the faithful, celebrate annually.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-ninth day.

The Contest of the holy great apostles Peter and Paul.

Peter, the great apostle of Christ, was from the city of Bethsaida, the son of Jonah, the true brother of Andrew the First-called. Being a fisherman and poor, he took the daughter of Aristobulus, brother of the apostle Barnabas, from whom he also had children. At the time when the Forerunner was cast into prison, he himself, in the lake of Gennesaret...

was fishing, and having been called by Christ as He passed by the lake, he followed Him with his brother, and became His disciple. Paul, however, being a Hebrew and himself from the city of Tarsus, after the assumption of the Lord Jesus, persecuted His Church. But being called, he too became His disciple; and having traversed with Peter almost the whole world, he preached Christ. And finally, both having departed to Rome, they suffered for Christ under Nero: Peter, indeed, being crucified head downwards, and Paul being beheaded. ^A

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Thirtieth Day. The Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles.

Although each of the holy apostles suffered martyrdom at a different time, the Church of God, because of their surpassing honor, celebrates this synaxis immediately after the memorial of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and praises them all together, as those who illuminated the world. First, therefore, worthy of praises is Peter, the fervent disciple, who under Nero was crucified head downwards. Second is Paul, the vessel of election, who was beheaded under the same. Third is Andrew, the first-called, who was fastened to a tree by Aegeas. Fourth is James of Zebedee, who was slain by the sword by Herod. Fifth is his brother John, who was buried alive and then translated. Sixth is Philip, suspended from a wall by the Greeks. Seventh is Thomas the Didymus, pierced by lances by the Indians. Eighth is Bartholomew, who was crucified. Ninth is Matthew, overwhelmed by stones. Tenth is James of Alphaeus. Eleventh is Simon the Zealot. Twelfth is Judas of James, suspended and transfixed with arrows. ^{B C}

MONTH OF JULY. The First Day. The Contest of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, who were renowned at Rome.

Cosmas and Damian, martyrs of Christ, were renowned during the reign of Carinus. Since they were physicians by profession, they wandered over every place, healing all the infirm, and demanding no other reward from those whom they cured than that they should embrace the faith of Christ. But those who were seduced by idolatry, thinking that they performed their cures by magic arts, reported them to the emperor, wherefore being seized, they were compelled to deny Christ: which, when they refused to do, they prepared themselves for tortures. But by the power of Christ they recalled the emperor Carinus from his error; they cured him, for he was suffering from a luxation of the neck, and they caused not only him to believe in Christ, but also all his household. Hence, being held in honor, they suffered the envy of their master. ^D Therefore, having been led by him to the mountain to gather herbs, they were stoned.

^A And the commemoration of our holy Father Peter.

Our holy Father Peter was born in Constantinople during the reign of the most pious Empress Irene, the son of Constantine the patrician, from whom he was taught all Greek and Christian literature. Then, having taken a wife, he became a patrician, and because of his singular virtue, he was appointed by the Emperor Nicephorus, father of Stauracius, as Domestic of the Schools, and he campaigned with the emperor against the Bulgarians. But when, after the slaughter of the emperor and the flight of his son Stauracius, he was captured along with fifty others, through his poured-out prayers—the holy John the Theologian appearing to him—he was freed from his bonds. Renouncing the world, he became a monk and practiced asceticism on Mount Olympus with the holy Joannicius. After the latter had passed away, he departed for the royal city, and settled in the house which he himself had built in the place called Evander’s, and having made manifest all virtues, and performed many miracles, he ended his life.

ON THE SAME DAY.

During the reign of Leo the Great, two brothers of patrician rank, Galbius and Candidus, were seized with a desire to go and venerate the holy places in Jerusalem. Having fulfilled their longing, they went to Palestine, and having lodged in the house of an old Hebrew woman, they saw there a multitude of the sick lying about. Having inquired, they learned that the precious robe of the Theotokos was kept in that place. They asked, therefore, that they might be allowed to venerate it, and they were admitted. Then, having secretly taken the measurements of the chest by night, they went off to Jerusalem and prepared a similar chest; returning to the same house, they placed the chest which they had brought in place of the original, which they took away, and carried it to Constantinople, depositing it in their own suburb, called Blachernae, glorifying God along with the emperor and the people for such a treasure acquired.

And the contest of the holy martyr Hyacinth.

^D The martyr of Christ, Hyacinth, was born in the region of Phrygia, where he was also trained in piety. Having gone to the city of Cyme, he healed those who were sick in the name of Christ. Having been recognized by the idolaters, he was seized and surrendered to the governor of the region. Being compelled to sacrifice to the idols, and not being persuaded, he was tortured; and having prayed to God, he delivered the governor over to an unclean spirit; and having worked a miracle, he healed him, and he believed in Christ, and he was released. Then, having been seized by the inhabitants of Cyme, he was punished. And again, having prayed, and shaken the city, and crushed the idols, he persuaded many to believe in Christ. And after these things, having been seized by Clearchus the

governor, and his legs broken, he was cast into prison. And having been released from prison, and wandering through every land, and healing those who were sick, he himself, having fallen ill, departed to the Lord.

And commemoration of our holy Father Juvenalis.

Our holy Father Juvenalis was in the days of Theodosius the Younger. He became the successor of the most holy Cyril as third Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was present at the Ephesian Synod of the two hundred holy Fathers, and shone with words and dogmas along with the ever-memorable Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria. He also reached the fourth Synod of Chalcedon, in the days of the Emperor Marcian, the founder of the temple of the Blachernae; to whom, when he asked where the immaculate ^B body of the Mother of God had been deposited, so that he might take care to transfer it, he replied that he knew nothing of it from Scripture; but that he had been taught by ancient tradition that it had been taken up, with only the burial clothes left in the sepulcher. The emperor then, having had these transferred, deposited them in the Blachernae. The holy Juvenalis, having returned to his own church, fell asleep in peace.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The third day.

The contest of the holy martyrs Marcus and Mocianus.

Marcus and Mocianus, martyrs of Christ, because they confessed Christ, were apprehended by the prefect Maximus, who attempted to compel them to deny the Christian religion and submit themselves to the superstition of idols. But while they were being tortured, a certain little boy who was standing by the altar of the sacrifices reproved the prefect, saying that he was acting unjustly. Wherefore, having been bound and beaten with scourges, together with a certain Christian named Paul who was present and was encouraging the holy men, he was cast into prison. ^C Then, sentence of death was passed upon the holy men, and while they were in chains they were being led to death, they were praying to God and giving thanks to Him that they had been judged worthy to suffer martyrdom for his sake. Their wives, however, with their children, followed them weeping as far as the place of execution: where, having arrived, they were beheaded, their wives receiving their venerable heads.

And commemoration of our holy Father Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Anatolius was born in the city of Alexandria, and was a presbyter of the most holy Church of God in the time of Theodosius the Younger. On account of his virtue and wisdom, he was sent as apocrisiarius to Constantinople by Dioscorus, ^D the heretical patriarch of Alexandria, who was led by the hope that he would share his own perverted dogma and support it. But he participated in the fourth Synod of Chalcedon, and together with the six hundred and thirty holy Fathers, he struck Dioscorus with an anathema; for he had been deposed by Dioscorus in the Ephesian brigand synod, and had endured injustice from the heretics, and the name of the holy Flavian

^A he restored to the diptychs; and he struck all the heretics with the sentence of excommunication. Finally, having been chosen patriarch of Constantinople, and having rightly governed his flock, he departed to God.

The contest of the holy martyr Hyacinth.

Hyacinth, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia; and being a chamberlain, and serving at the table of the lawless emperor Trajan in Rome, he worshipped Christ. Being therefore denounced by the idolaters, and arrested, he was forced to sacrifice to the idols and to eat of unclean foods. But since he refused to be persuaded to do this, and confessed Christ even more clearly, saying that He alone is God and Lord of all, he was on that account beaten severely ^B and cast into prison. And the emperor having commanded the jailer not to bring him clean bread, but to set before him only foods sacrificed to idols, since he stayed for many days without tasting them, but remained fasting, he surrendered his spirit to God.

The contest of the holy martyrs Theodotus and Theodota.

These holy martyrs also, having been seized for their confession of Christ by the impious Trajan, and compelled to deny the truth and to sacrifice to idols, and being unable to be brought to this, were tormented in various ways ^C and cast into the same prison in which the holy martyr Hyacinth had been shut up; and having been instructed by him, and more fully confirmed in the faith of Christ, they were reported to the emperor Trajan by the guards who were idolaters. And after the death of the holy Hyacinth, they were brought out of prison and stood before him. Again being forced to eat the polluted foods, they rebuked him and execrated the error of the idols. Then, suspended from wooden beams and lacerated, they were burned with torches. Finally, being taken down from the beams, they met the end of life by the sword, surrendering their souls to God.

ON THE SAME MONTH. Fourth day.

The contest ^D of the holy hieromartyr Theodore, bishop of Cyrene.

Theodore the hieromartyr was in Cyrene during the reign of Diocletian; and having well learned the art of calligraphy, and preparing many books, he provided them to the Christians for the praising of God. Being therefore denounced by his own son to the prefect of the city, he was arrested along with many other Christians, with whom was the holy Lucia. And being asked for the books which he had written, and not producing them, he was beaten severely. And being forced to approach the altar and to burn incense, he ran forward and kicked it, overturning it. Then, suspended from a beam and fastened with nails, and his tongue having been cut out, he...

suspended on the wood, was nailed, and his tongue was cut out; and having been taken down from the wood, he was locked in prison. And seeing him healed, many men and women believed in the Lord, who also were beheaded along with him.

And the commemoration of our holy Father Andrew, Archbishop of Crete, the Hierosolymite, and ^B of holy Lampadus, who was in Irenopolis.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The fifth day.

153 Commemoration of holy Martha, mother of holy Simeon on the Wonderful Mountain.

Holy Martha, mother of our holy Father Simeon the Stylite, attained every virtue through the highest exercise. Having, moreover, great confidence in the Virgin Theotokos, she was perpetually sitting in her temple, praying to her for the salvation of the whole world. Wherefore, before her departure from the body, having been divinely taught, she secretly understood the eternal goods laid up for her. And then, indeed, she departed with good hope; but afterward, appearing to those running to her holy relics and telling of those goods, which the eye of the body did not see, which God prepared for those who love Him, she brought incredible joy. Thus the Lord glorifies those who glorify Him, together with our Lady the Theotokos, who gave birth to Him without seed and without corruption.

And the contest of holy Agnes the martyr.

Martyr of Christ, Agnes, adorned with morals corresponding to her name, having called many unchaste women away ^C from their shameful deeds by her admonitions and exhortations, brought them to the faith of Christ. Therefore, having been seized by the prefect of that place, she was tormented; and since she refused to sacrifice to idols, she was ordered to be led to a brothel, so that she might be defiled by the incontinent. But she, trusting in Christ, to whom she kept her faith and chastity, was preserved unstained and pure, being protected by a divine angel, who did not permit anyone to approach her; of whom one, having dared to approach, suddenly fell down dead. The prefect, hearing this, summoned her and prayed that she might raise the dead man. And so, the saint praying, the deceased immediately revived. But the prefect, thinking that she had accomplished this by magical art, handed her over to be burned by flames. ^D

154 And the contest of holy martyr Cyprilla.

Cyprilla, martyr of Christ, born in Cyrene during the reign of the emperor Diocletian, of Christian parents, remained in widowhood for twenty-eight years after her husband died two years after their marriage. But when Theodore, the most holy bishop of Cyrene, was captured and thrust into prison, it happened that, being afflicted with a headache, she came to him for the sake of a cure; and having been cured by him, she began to minister to him with Lucia and Aroa, pious women. But after the passing of holy Theodore, having been brought to the governor, and having professed Christ, she was first beaten: then, receiving hot coals, by the lictors of his

^A hands she was compelled to offer incense to the gods. But she cried out: "This is not," she said, "a voluntary offering: for I sacrifice to my Christ." Having spoken these words, she was hoisted upon a rack and, being torn, she yielded up her spirit.

And the commemoration of the holy Hilarion of the monastery of the Dalmatians.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The Sixth Day. The commemoration of our holy Father Sisoes the Great.

Blessed Sisoes, having loved God from infancy, and having taken up his cross upon his shoulders, followed him; and having overcome the conflict of invisible enemies, he joyfully withdrew to the laborious struggles of monastic discipline. Having attained the peak of humility, he received the grace of miracles. For he both raised the dead, and drove demons from men, and healed the sick, and performed many other miracles. He was also, in familiar gatherings, clear-minded, and moderate in spirit, and pleasant in his replies, from which many things have been written down for the benefit of others. Moreover, he corrected not a few of the fallen brothers, by fitting examples turning them toward repentance. He also had this characteristic, that he never condemned any man. Having lived in this manner an angelic life, he departed to God, whom he desired, receiving the eternal kingdom prepared for him. ^B

And the struggle of the holy martyr Lucia, and those with her.

Christ’s martyr, the virgin Lucia, was another from the Lucia who was a virgin of Sicily; she was from the region of Campania. Having been seized by the governor of that region, she was punished. But having performed miracles, she persuaded him to believe in Christ; and not only was she released by him, but she also received a house and maidservants and lived in quiet, praying to God for him. After the passage of twenty years, both desiring to undergo martyrdom for Christ, they abandoned everything, and taking their own servants, they approached the governor of the region, delivering themselves up voluntarily. And having been questioned and having confessed Christ, they were tormented in various ways. But as they remained for a long time ^C in the faith of Christ, they received the sentence of beheading. And so, being beheaded together with the rest of their companions, they finished their life in this manner, having obtained their crown in Christ.

And the struggle of the holy hieromartyr Astius, bishop of Dyrrachium.

Astius the hieromartyr was during the reign of Trajan; and having been seized by the idolaters, he was handed over to the governor Agricolaus, and upon being exhorted to deny Christ and to sacrifice to the idols, and not being persuaded, he was consigned to prison. But before he was seized, of this sort

^A he beheld a dream: he saw himself standing upon a rock smeared with pitch and oil. Having woken up, he said to his clergy: "Brothers, it behooves me to suffer for Christ; as for the rest, let each of you go where he may be able to save himself." Having said this, he was seized, as has been narrated, and brought before Agricolaus; and when he had confessed Christ, he was cast into prison. Being led out from prison, he was beaten with leaden whips. Soon he was smeared with honey and hung upon a wooden beam in the heat of the day, so that, being consumed by the bites of wasps and flies, he might perish. And as that happened, bearing the torture with thanksgiving, he surrendered his soul.

And the commemoration of the holy martyr Phocas, and of the miracle that occurred. ^B Leo, surnamed Pontianus, recounted that that Sisinnios, who is called Stibarus, while sailing in the royal fleet, was captured by the Saracens; and, being bound with a double chain, he was thrown into prison. Constrained by such necessity, he fled to God and His holy martyr Phocas. "Holy martyr Phocas," he would say, "have mercy on me, and deliver me from the distress of my bonds that holds me." Then, having fallen asleep, he saw the saint appearing to him in the garb of a priest, and saying to him: "Arise, and depart." Having woken up, he found the chains shattered, himself loosed, and the prison opened. Wherefore, taking to flight, he arrived home; and, mindful of the benefit received, he continued to celebrate the memory of the saint with much thanksgiving, and to glorify God, who bestows such graces upon His saints.

And the contest of the holy martyr Isaurus and his companions. ^C Isaurus, a deacon of the mysteries of Christ, and his companions, were by birth Athenians; and in the reign of Numerian, having departed from their own fatherland, they went away to the city of Apolloniades. There, being warned by an angel of God, they entered a cave where Felix, Peregrinus, and Hermias—who were themselves also Christians—dwelt. Upon seeing the holy Isaurus, they were affected with such great joy that, having distributed their property to the poor, they resolved to follow him and live under his discipline. Their kinsmen, having discovered this, tried in vain to turn them from their purpose and call them back to their own homes, and so they accused them before the governor; who, having arrested them, ordered them to be beheaded. ^D But Isaurus, the deacon of Christ, and his companions, were bound in chains and sent to the son of the governor for interrogation, by whom they were cast into the flames; yet when they emerged from them unharmed, they led many to the faith of Christ. Moved by this, the governor ordered them to be put to death by the sword.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The seventh day. And the contest of the holy martyr Peregrinus and his companions.

The martyrs of Christ, Peregrinus, Lucianus, Pom-

-^Apeius, Hesychius, Papias, Saturnilus, and Germanus were from the land of Italy. In the reign of Trajan, when a persecution against the Christians had been stirred up, they boarded a ship and arrived at Dyrrachium. Having seen the holy hieromartyr Astius smeared with honey for his confession of Christ and suspended on a wooden frame, being stung by wasps and flies, they called him blessed. Because of this they were recognized and seized by the officers. When they were interrogated and confessed Christ, they were delivered to the governor Agricola; by his order they were bound, cast into a ship, and thrown into the Adriatic Sea, where they received their blessed end. The sea cast up their relics, which were buried in the sand, and later, having been revealed to the Archbishop of Alexandria, they were honorably interred.

And the memory of Saint Thomas on Mount Maleo.

Our holy Father Thomas, while he was in the world, was illustrious and conspicuous for his wealth and power; indeed, he also won many trophies against the Barbarians. But when, for the love of Christ, he renounced the world and the most troublesome agitation of secular life, he became a monk and grew so much more illustrious that, like a pillar of fire amidst the darkness of the night, he seemed to shine by the visitation of the great prophet Elijah, whose manner of life he also emulated. He cultivated perpetual silence and prayer to God on the mountain which they call Maleo. Wherefore, having received the gift of healings, he cast out demons and, by his prayers to God, caused a spring of water to gush forth. He restored sight to the blind and agility to the lame. And having performed many other miracles in the name of Christ, having become ^B wonder to all men, and having served God as much as is possible for a man, he departed to Him with joy and rejoicing.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The eighth day.

The Contest of the Holy Great Martyr Procopius.

The great martyr Procopius was born in the city of Aelia to a Christian father and a pagan mother during the reign of Diocletian. After the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and presented to Diocletian himself, so that he might be promoted to honors. Therefore, having been created Duke of Alexandria, he was sent there to wage war—not only against enemies, but also against Christians. As he was proceeding toward his home, a voice falling from heaven reached him, saying: "Young man, cease fighting against my servants, lest you die." Moreover, the figure of the cross was shown to him. Wherefore, having gone to Scythopolis, he ordered a goldsmith to come to him and commanded him to fashion a cross according to the figure that had been shown to him, which he then wore. But when he had brought back trophies from the Saracens and had returned home, he was denounced by his mother to the emperor for being a Christian. Therefore, having been subjected to various tortures and having performed miracles himself, he not only convinced many others to believe in Christ, but also his own

mother, and some women, with whom he was beheaded and departed to God. ^A

OF THE SAME MONTH. The ninth day.

The contest of the holy martyr Cyril.

And the contest of the holy martyr Patermuthius and his companions.

And the contest of the holy martyrs Bianor and Silvanus.

^A right eye gouged out, and the skin of his head flayed off, was cast into prison. And on the following day, while he was still breathing a little, he was brought out of the prison and, carried by the executioners, he was beheaded.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Apollonius

The martyr of Christ, Apollonius, was from the land of Lydia, from the city of Sardis, but he went about all the cities and the region, teaching the word of the truth and turning many of the infidels to the Lord. Being accused, therefore, by the idolaters to the governor of the city of Iconium, he was seized and, brought in chains, he was presented before him. And when asked, he confessed himself a servant of Christ. And being compelled to swear by the fortune of the emperor, he said, "It is not lawful to swear by a mortal emperor, and especially one who does not acknowledge God, the Creator of the world." Having said these things, by order ^B of the governor, he was beaten very severely; and soon being placed on the rack and fastened with iron nails, he gave up his spirit to God. And thus, having finished the course of his martyrdom, he obtained the kingdom of the heavens.

And a commemoration of the myriad holy Fathers who were burned and suffocated in the caves by Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, because of Isidore the presbyter.

ON THE SAME MONTH The 15th

The Contest of the holy forty-five martyrs who suffered martyrdom in Nicopolis

The forty-five martyrs of Christ flourished during the reign of Licinius and the administration of Lysias; they were led by Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, and Antony. Having been seized, therefore, they were presented to the Duke Lysias in Nicopolis of Armenia. And when they confessed Christ but spat upon the idols, they were beaten and their mouths and faces were crushed with stones, and they were cast into prison, remaining without food for many days. And seeing their ^C constancy, the soldiers who were guarding them believed in Christ. Then, being brought out of the prison, and having their legs cut off with axes, some while already dead, and others while still breathing, they were cast into a furnace of fire and were perfected, having received the immortal kingdom prepared for them by Christ from the foundation of the world.

ON THE SAME MONTH The 16th

The Contest of the holy martyr Marcianus

Marcianus, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Iconium. Being young, he was taught the faith in Christ. And having been baptized, he preached the truth, and rebuked the deception and weakness of the idols, and silenced the idolaters. Being seized, therefore, by them, he was handed over to the governor. And, being brought to trial, he was compelled, now by promises of corruptible and temporary honor, now by threats, to deny Christ and—

to sacrifice to the idols. ^A Not being persuaded by the governor’s words, but rather confessing Christ before the people, he was beaten and shut up in prison. After this, having emerged from imprisonment in bonds, and standing before the governor, and persisting in the same confession, his face was flayed with iron, his sinews were severed, and his tongue was cut out with a sword and placed upon burning coals. Finally, being beheaded, he completed his course of martyrdom.

*And a remembrance of the miracle of the all-praised martyr Euphemia.*

In the reign of Theodosius the Younger, a certain Eutyches, a monk and presbyter, ^B became the author of the heresy, teaching that there is one nature in Christ our Lord. Having been deposed for this reason by Flavian, the patriarch of Constantinople, he did not, however, cease to disturb the Church. But the holy Marcian, having obtained the empire, called a council of six hundred and thirty Fathers. And a discussion having arisen with the heretics, it pleased all that two tomes should be set forth, one of the orthodox, and one of the heretics, and that the chest of the martyr should be opened, and the tomes placed upon her breast, and that they should be held by her. And when this was done, after many days they opened the chest, and found the tome of the heretics lying under her feet, and the one of the orthodox held in her hand. And thus the heretics were confused, ^C but the orthodox rejoiced.

*And the struggle of the holy martyr Cindaeus.*

Christ’s martyr Cindaeus was a presbyter of the church in the city of Side; in the reign of Diocletian, having been denounced to the prefect Stratonicus because he worshipped Christ, he was seized and, having iron shoes with sharp nails fastened to his feet, he was compelled to run along the road that leads to what is called the Sacred Gate, being beaten by the executioners. ^D Since the executioners had orders to burn him, they met a certain poor man carrying a load of wood, intending to sell it, and they wanted to snatch it for free and burn the saint with it. But he, having produced the price, gave it to the poor man, and placing the wood upon his own shoulders, he reached the place of execution. And having kindled the furnace, he entered into it; and at that time, having come out unharmed, he persuaded the priest of the idols, together with his wife, to believe in Christ. Later, having prayed, he surrendered his spirit. His remains were buried honorably.

*On the same day. 12th.* *The struggle of the holy martyrs Proclus and Hilarius.*

Proclus and Hilarius, martyrs of Christ, were from the city of Ancyra, in the reign of Trajan, being Christians, and preaching Christ, many of the unbelievers they turned to the --

^A Lord. Proclus, being the first to be seized by the idolaters, was brought before the governor. When examined, and confessing Christ all the more, he was handed over to the magistrate Maximinus; by whom he was suspended, and his flesh torn with iron claws, and his stomach and sides burned with flaming torches. After this, a sentence being passed that he should be shot with arrows, he was led naked to the place of execution. But as he greeted his nephew Hilarius, who met him on the way, his doing so was the cause of him also being seized. And he, having been bound to a stake and pierced by arrows, yielded up his spirit. But Hilarius, having been beaten and his flesh torn, and having been dragged naked for several miles, was finally beheaded with a sword.

And the contest of the holy martyr Golinduch.

The martyr of Christ, Golinduch, lived in Persia in the reign of Maurice; and having been given in marriage to a certain chief of the Magi, an angel of God appeared to her at one time in her sleep, and showed her a splendid place, where the righteous were dancing, and another, dark, in which idolaters were being tormented. And as she attempted to enter the bright place, she was prohibited, the angel saying, "Unless you become a Christian, you shall by no means enter here." Awakening, she immediately received baptism. And this having been discovered by her husband and the king, she was shut up in the prison of Lethe, and then into a pit where there was a dragon; and after many years, having been brought out, she was tormented in various ways. Finally, wearing a seal of wax ^C upon her neck, she was led to execution. But the angel took the seal safe and sound and handed it to the executioner; and he, seeing the saint grieving because she was not suffering for Christ, struck her on the neck with a sword, and though he caused blood to flow, he did not behead her. Having lived after these things and benefited many, she migrated to the Lord.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE THIRTEENTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyr Serapion.

Serapion, the martyr of Christ, lived in the time of the emperor Severus, a man pious and noble in his manner of life. Being seized by the idolaters because of his confession of Christ, he was delivered to Aquila, the governor of that region. And having stood before him, and being asked what religion he belonged to, he confessed Christ with boldness. Being therefore severely beaten for Christ, and his whole body torn with sharp iron hooks, he was sent back to prison, to be consumed by hunger and thirst. After many days had passed, he was brought out of custody ^D and stood bound before the governor. And since he bore no mark of a wound or scar on his whole body, because he had been immediately healed by Christ, he brought amazement to all, and persuaded many to believe in Christ. Whereupon the governor, fearing lest he should bring even more to Christ, delivered him to be burned with flames; and in this way, having finished the contest of immortality, he was perfected.

And the Contest of the Holy Martyr Myrope

^A The martyr of Christ, Myrope, lived during the reign of Decius; she was born on the island of Chios, and traveled to the city of the Ephesians. There, she collected the myrrh flowing from the relics of the holy martyrs and apostles, and healed the sick; hence she received the name Myrope [Myrrh-bearer]. Upon returning to the island of Chios, and finding that Saint Isidore had been martyred and perfected for Christ, she took up his relics and hid them away with her. When many were seized and tortured on account of the removal of the relics, she revealed herself, confessing that she had taken and hidden the body. Therefore, she was seized by the governor Numerianus—the same who had tortured Saint Isidore—and was cruelly beaten and cast into prison. There, having received the promise of the good things reserved for her through an apparition of Saint Isidore, she surrendered her spirit to God.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE FOURTEENTH DAY.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Justus

Justus, a martyr of Christ, was from the city of Rome and served in the rank of the Numeri. Once, while returning from battle, he saw a crystal cross, and from the cross he heard a voice speaking and commanding him to abandon idols and believe in Christ. He returned at once to Rome, where he distributed his patrimony to the poor, and, happy and content in the faith of Christ, he resolved to live thereafter in private seclusion. When the tribune learned of this, he ordered that Justus be seized; and, having made an attempt in vain to make him deny Christ, he had him bound in chains and sent to the governor Magnentius. Because he persisted the more firmly in the faith of Christ, he was lashed with raw leather strips; then a red-hot iron helmet was placed upon his head; soon after, he was laid naked upon burning coals; and finally, being cast into a great furnace of fire, he surrendered his spirit to God.

And the Commemoration of our Holy Father Onesimus the Thaumaturge

^C Saint Onesimus was born in the city of Caesarea in Palestine during the reign of Diocletian, the son of pious parents who, as report has it, had been baptized by a divine angel, and had been informed by the same angel of the conception and name of their son. Having been born and raised in the discipline and admonition of the Lord, he set out for one of the monasteries situated near Ephesus in which eight hundred ascetics dwelt, and became a monk, thereafter striving beyond the strength of human nature. Meanwhile, his parents, saddened by his bereavement, had become blind. When a persecution against the Christians arose, and all the ascetics had fled, he himself went to his father’s house as a stranger. And he did indeed restore his parents’ sight through prayer, yet he did not at all reveal himself to them; rather, he left a written account of the course of his life on a parchment, placing it in one of the house’s windows, and departed for Magnesia…

^A where having performed many miracles, he migrated to God.

And the commemoration of our holy Father Joseph, the confessor.

Our holy Father Joseph flourished during the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast; he was the son of Photinus and Theoctiste, and brother to Theodore, the superior of the Studite monastery, who, because of his signal probity of character, was by common suffrage created bishop of Thessalonica. After a few years had passed, since he had taught the orthodox faith, he returned to the royal city by the emperor’s command. He and his brother were brought before the iconoclast emperor and were compelled in vain to renounce the adoration of the venerable icons. Theodore, ^B indeed, was ordered to be sent into exile at the lake of Apollonias. As for Joseph, after being led through various prisons and having endured the rest of his tribulations and hardships with fortitude, he was sent back again by a certain impious man to the emperor; having been tempted in vain to subscribe to the tome of the heresy, he was thrust into a most abysmal dungeon and ended his life.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE FIFTEENTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyrs Cyricus and Julitta.

Julitta, the martyr of Christ, flourished under the emperor Diocletian, from the city of Iconium. When the persecution prevailed at Iconium, taking her son Cyricus, who was three years old, she withdrew to Seleucia; encountering the same persecution there, she set out for Tarsus. There, Alexander the governor, a cruel and savage man, was harassing the saints. Having been seized and separated from her child, she was subjected to tortures. The governor, placing the child upon his knees, ^C meanwhile attempted to lure him with blandishments. But the child, turning his face away from him and fixing his gaze upon his mother, called upon the name of Christ with a stammering voice and strove to go to his mother. Wherefore, he was kicked by the cruel beast and thrown down the steps; having struck his head against a stone and crushed it, he gave up his spirit. But his mother, glorifying God after many tortures, was herself beheaded.

And the contest of the holy martyr Abudimus.

The martyr of Christ, Abudimus, flourished under the emperor Diocletian, from the island of Tenedos. Having been seized and strongly urged to renounce Christ, he was not persuaded; but rather, he confessed His divinity with boldness. Wherefore, he was later stretched out for scourging and was struck by nine soldiers. And when the impious executioners forced him to taste of meat offered to idols, he resisted. Wherefore, he was lacerated by them with iron claws; and having been tempted in vain with many other tortures, he was finally beheaded. And behold, at mid-day, the martyr appeared to Diocletian with angels holding swords, and with ^D heavenly terror

^A he struck him, and says: "Behold, the man of the true God whom you think to be dead; but God, by His own assistance, shows him to you, as he is stronger than the fellow-workers of the demons." The lawless one, who ought to have been converted by the patience of God and to have believed in Christ, became rather more enraged and delivered the body of the martyr to the flames.

The struggle of the holy martyrs Antiochus and Cyriacus.

Antiochus, a martyr of Christ, was from Sebaste, ^B by profession a physician, going about all the cities and healing those who were in sickness. But having been seized by the governor Adrian, he was first afflicted with many tortures; afterwards, being cast into a cauldron and not burned, he is led to be exposed to wild beasts, to which the beasts, rejoicing and moving about at his feet, were fawning upon him. But one leopard, with a human voice, reproached the governor. Meanwhile, the holy man was praying, and by his prayers he dissolved all the idols into dust. Finally, he was beheaded, and milk flowed from his neck along with the blood. Cyriacus, the executioner who had decapitated the saint, having seen the miracle and having gained confidence, confessed himself a Christian ^C and, pronouncing an anathema upon the idols of Adrian, he himself was also beheaded and added to the holy Antiochus. And thus, having been perfected, they received from the heavenly and great King the kingdom of heaven.

The struggle of the holy martyr Paul and his company.

These were Egyptians by race; having been captured and led to the city of Diocesarea, they were presented to the governor; and having been tested, they confessed our true God. Their left feet were burned, and their right eyes were gouged out; and they were perfected by sword and fire. And many other men and women were with them who had confessed the name of Christ. And the holy Thea, having been stretched upon a rack, was flayed; and her sister Valentina, attacking the judge, overturned the altar with her foot; wherefore she too was flayed ^D most cruelly. But Paul, the holy martyr, after receiving the death sentence by the sword, and standing, prayed for Christians, for Jews, for Samaritans, for Greeks, and for other nations, that they might come to the knowledge of God, and that the persecution against the Christians might cease. By doing this he moved everyone to pity and tears, and after this was beheaded.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The sixteenth day.

Commemoration of the holy Council of Chalcedon of six hundred and thirty Fathers.

After the condemnation of the impious Arius, which took place by the three hundred holy Fathers in Nicaea, Eutyches the heretic, inspired by the devil, wished to renew his heresy, saying that there is one nature in Christ after the union. But after the death of Theodosius the son of Arcadius, the holy Marcian, having gained the empire, convened...

^A in Chalcedon a holy synod of six hundred and thirty God-bearing Fathers; and he overthrew not only the unhappy and miserable Eutyches and his accomplices, but also utterly destroyed Arianism, confirming and establishing the holy symbol of the holy Fathers, and anathematizing all heretics. In this task, the holy great martyr Euphemia co-operated, and, as if living, she provided the definition of the orthodox faith to the orthodox.

The contest of the holy martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius.

The martyr of Christ, Onesiphorus, was ^B by origin from the city of Iconium, and was a kinsman of the empress Tryphaena; he dwelt in the city of Iconium.

Where

The contest of the holy martyr Athenogenes.

Athenogenes, the hieromartyr of Christ, was by origin from Sebaste during the reign of Diocletian. Having been seized by the governor together with his ten disciples, and having endured many tortures with them for the love of Christ, he finally received his end by the sword. It is told concerning him, that before he was seized, having departed to the monastery, he did not find his disciples; for they had been previously seized. ^D But he blessed a doe that ran to meet him, which he had reared in the monastery, and prayed that it might not be captured by hunters, nor its offspring; but that it should, at each recurring year, keep his memory, and also that which was to be born of it. And so it happened. For it is seen that after the reading of the holy Gospels, the doe enters the church, and having offered her fawn to the saint, she goes out again. And those who are gathered in the church, sacrificing it, celebrate the glory and honor of the hieromartyr.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE SEVENTEENTH. The contest of the holy martyr Marina.

Marina, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Antioch in Pisidia

daughter of Edesimus, ^A a priest of idols. Being a Christian, she was seized and brought before the governor Olymbrius; and although she was subjected to many tortures, she in no way denied Christ, mocking the weakness and vanity of the idols. She was therefore cast into prison, where a great dragon appeared to her, having serpents around its neck, which, hissing around the saint, threatened to devour her. But she, signing herself and forming the sign of the cross, killed it. Then she was thrown into a lake of water; and a dove appearing, blessed the water and baptized her. Having gone forth from the lake and being brought again before the governor, and having freely confessed Christ, she received the sentence of death. And when she had reached the place of execution and had prayed for a long time, she was beheaded.

^B ON THE SAME MONTH. THE EIGHTEENTH. The contest of the holy martyr Emilianus.

Emilianus, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Dorostolum in Lower Moesia, in the times of Julian the Apostate. Although he was a slave to a certain Greek, he was by profession a Christian. Having found an opportunity, he took a hammer and entered the temple of the idols, and smashed all of the statues, and scattered the sacrifices. The idolaters, not knowing who had done this, seized a certain farmer and began to beat him, and dragged him before the governor. Then the saint, seeing this, surrendered himself, saying, "I am the one who did this." ^C When he was brought before the governor, he rebuked his folly, as one who put his faith in vain idols. Wherefore he provoked him to anger; and though he was beaten most severely with rods, and remained steadfast in his confession of Christ, he was delivered to the fire. And in the midst of it, blessing and praising God, he gave up his holy soul.

And the contest of the holy martyr Hyacinth, in the city of Amastris.

Hyacinth, the martyr of Christ, was born of pious parents, having for his father Theoclitus and for his mother Neonilla, under Heraclius, bishop of Amastris. ^D This name was imposed upon him by an angel. And when he had reached the age of three, by the invocation of Christ he raised a dead child to life. As he grew in age and virtue, anticipating the wisdom of old age, he performed many miracles in the meantime. Seeing the idolaters superstitiously worshipping trees—specifically a tall and cultivated elm—he cut it down. Having been seized, therefore, he was brought before the ruler and the leading men of the city of Amastris. And having been severely beaten, and his teeth plucked out by the roots, he was bound with ropes and dragged outside the city, and pierced with sharp reeds. Then, having been cast into prison, he surrendered his spirit to God. His relics, however, were deposited in that same city, perpetually pouring forth healings.

And the contest of the holy martyr Theodosia. Theodosia, the martyr of Christ, lived during the reign of Constan-

stantine Caballinus, from the city of Constantinople, a daughter of pious parents. After her father and mother had passed away, having given all the property that had been left to her to the poor, she entered a monastery and became a nun. When Leo the Iconoclast had seized imperial power, and had cast the most holy patriarch Germanus from his throne, and was rejecting the holy images, wishing also to destroy the bronze image of our Savior in the Chalke, the holy Theodosia, having learned of this, together with other women, and having been inflamed with divine zeal, cast down and crushed the spatharios who was ascending the ladder to destroy the holy image; then, entering the patriarchy, she rebuked the heretic Anastasius. For this reason, some of the ^B women were beheaded, but the holy Theodosia, pulled by ropes, was put to death by the horn of a rushing ox in the ox-market.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE NINETEENTH DAY.

And the commemoration of the holy Macrina, sister of Basil the Great. The holy Macrina, adorned in bodily beauty and with gentle ^D manners, was indeed joined in marriage to a man; but the union having not yet been consummated, after he had consented to this, she lived in journeyings, occupying herself with the divine Scriptures, and nurturing her own brothers as a second mother; for when all the ten children were young, she was the eldest of all. Since she passed her life in holiness and religious exercise, she was a help to many. For she was a teacher, not only of words, but also of deeds. "For whoever shall do and teach," the holy Gospel says, "he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." And when the hour of death was at hand, she philosophized together with her brother, Gregory, bishop of Nyssa, who had come to visit her

concerning the soul and certain other scriptural questions. And having prayed in this way to God, whom she served, she departed.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Twentieth.

The fiery ascension of the prophet Elijah into the heavens.

Elijah the prophet was from the region of Thebes, in the land of the Arabs, but he dwelt in Gilead. And when his mother brought him forth, she saw a vision, namely, that certain men in white apparel appeared to him, calling him by name, and gave him a flame of fire to eat. ^B Having gone to Jerusalem, he announced [this] to the priests. And this divine oracle was rendered to him: "Do not fear, O man; for the dwelling of the child shall be light, and his word shall be a judgment, and he shall judge Israel with the sword and fire." He, therefore, prophesied for twenty-five years, preceding the coming of Christ by eight hundred and sixteen [years]. He brought down fire from heaven; he restrained the rain for three years and six months; he consumed the wretched with fire; he beheld God at Mount Horeb; he divided the Jordan with his mantle; and finally, having been taken up into the heavens in a chariot of fire, he lives even until this present day.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The Twenty-first.

Commemoration of the holy Fathers Simeon, for Christ's sake a fool, and John.

These men, originating from the city of Emesa, became known during the reign of Justin. ^C But when they had gone to the holy city and had worshipped the life-giving wood, they no longer returned to their own [homes]; but having turned aside to the monastery of Saint Gerasimus, they became monks. And having left the monastery, they sought the desert, practicing every exercise and austerity for forty years. Afterwards, indeed, John remained in the desert, but Simeon returned to the holy city and, feigning foolishness, performed many miracles in this guise. But when he had died on his final day and was being carried to the sepulcher by two poor men, ^D a certain Hebrew heard a great deal of angelic psalmody, and looking out from his house, saw only two [men] carrying his remains; and he understood that angels were singing; he said, "Blessed art thou, Simeon, for not having men singing, thou didst have angels praising [thee]." And the holy John also finished his course.

And the commemoration of the prophet Ezekiel.

Ezekiel, a glorious and great prophet, was indeed the son of a certain priest from the tribe of Levi; he prophesied for twenty years; he preceded the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ by four hundred and seventy-seven [years]. And when, at the time of the captivity, he had migrated into the land of the Chaldeans, he gave a great sign, when serpents [devoured] their infants and cattle.

And therefore he was killed by them for this reason. For they contradicted him all the days; and the prefect of the people killed him because he was rebuked by him. He was buried honorably by his relatives in that region, when he had flown off to God, for whom he had endured many tribulations from the impious, about to receive good things, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it ascended into the heart of man, which God has prepared for those who love Him. ^A

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY

Mary Magdalene was from Magdala in the mountains of Syria. When she was vexed by seven demons, she was healed by Christ. Because of this benefit, she followed him and became his disciple, and was ministering to him until his passion. And when she brought ointment together with the other Mary, she was the first to see the resurrection; when at the evening of the Sabbath she saw an angel, and in the morning two angels sitting in white vestments; and again she saw the Lord Himself, whom she supposed to be the gardener, and heard him saying to her: "Touch me not." After the divine ascension of Christ, therefore, she went to Ephesus to the divine John, the apostle and evangelist, and there she fell asleep in holiness. And she was placed at the entrance of the cave in which the holy and blessed seven youths sleep. But later, under the Emperor Leo the Wise, her holy relics were brought, and were deposited in the monastery of Saint Lazarus which he had built. ^B

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY

Phocas the hieromartyr was during the reign of Trajan, shining with blameless conduct and every kind of virtue. Having been seized, therefore, he was brought to the prefect Africanus. And when questioned, he confessed Christ. But the prefect contending with him in words, and attempting to make him blaspheme Christ, and to subject him to torments, an earthquake occurring, he suddenly fell down together with the soldiers under him, and lay as one dead. But the saint having prayed, recalled him and the soldiers to life. And having been seized again, he was sent in chains to Trajan. ^C And in his presence, when he had preached Christ and had discoursed about His whole dispensation, he was suspended and flayed. And when he remained the more in his confession of Christ, he was cast into a burning furnace; and emerging from it unharmed, he was cast into a bath that was heated greatly and inflamed beyond measure; and there, praising God—just as the three holy youths in the furnace sprinkled with dew—he delivered up his spirit.

And the contest of the holy martyr Trophimus and his company. Trophimus and Theophilus, martyrs of Christ, with ^D

their holy companions, by the permission of ^A God, during the reign of the most impious and tyrannical Diocletian. Confessing Christ, and teaching and baptizing those who approached them in His name, they were recognized and seized, and brought before him in bonds. When they were compelled to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols, and would not be persuaded, they were severely beaten. Being suspended on a beam, they were flayed. Then they were stoned. And after this, having been taken down from the beam, they were thrown into a great furnace. But, delivered by the grace of God from the furnace and coming out unharmed, so that not even their hair was touched by the fire, they astonished the tyrant. And finally, having bowed their necks, their holy heads were cut off.

And the commemoration of the brethren slaughtered in Bulgaria. ^B

During the reign of Nicephorus, the father of Stauracius, it happened that a war took place between the Romans and the Bulgarians. And when the emperor had won a victory against the enemy, the people were elated and indulged in food and drink. But the remaining Bulgarians, incited by the devil, attacked the Roman army by night, and captured and killed the emperor himself; and those under his command, some they slew and some they took captive. Hence, those who did not find time to escape perished immediately; but those who were able to flee to the nearby mountains escaped unharmed. Those, however, who came into the power of the enemy were urged to deny Christ (for the Bulgarians did not yet know Him), and since they would not do so, they were subjected to various and harsh kinds of death: some were beheaded with the sword, others were suspended and suffocated, ^C others were pierced through with missiles and thus finished their course. And others, condemned to imprisonment and famine, completed the course of martyrdom.

And the contest of the holy hieromartyrs Apollinaris and Vitalius, bishop of Ravenna, and Apollonius, and the martyr Eugenius, and Susanna in Leucate.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day. The contest of the holy martyr Christina.

Christina, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Tyre. Having a father who was a commander, she was taken by him to a high tower ^D so that she might not be seen by anyone, he having taken his own gods up to the tower and commanded her to sacrifice to them and worship them. But she, understanding their weakness, paid no heed to them at all; but looking out of the window at the beauty of the sky, and discerning the Creator from His works, she shattered the idols and cast them down. Being therefore discovered and brought down from the tower, she was subjected to every torture by her own father. Then, thrust into custody, she received food from an angel; and having been thrown into the sea, she had the water as a baptism. Afterward, she came out of the sea, and was again cast into prison.

^A having received the water for baptism, and having gone out of the sea, they were shut up again in prison. After the death of her father, having been brought for examination to the governor Diones, she was beaten severely. And having performed miracles, she caused many to believe in Christ. And having had her breasts cut off, and having been pierced through the heart with spears, she was perfected.

IN THE SAME MONTH, THE TWENTY-FIFTH.

Commemoration of Saint Anna, the mother of the Theotokos.

Anna, the venerable mother of our glorious Lady the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, was of the tribe of Levi, from Bethlehem of Judea, the daughter of Matthan the priest. This Matthan was serving in the priesthood during the reign of Cleopatra, before the reign of Herod the son of Antipater. ^B He had three daughters: Maria, Soben, and Anna. The first daughter was married in Bethlehem and gave birth to Salome, who is also called Maria. The second also married in Bethlehem and gave birth to Elisabeth, the mother of the Forerunner. Anna married in the land of Galilee and gave birth to Mary the Theotokos; so that Salome, Elisabeth, and the Theotokos were the daughters of three sisters. Anna, as we have said, having brought forth the great benefit, the salvation of the world, the immaculate and faultless Theotokos, and having reared her and brought her into the temple of the Lord, and having dedicated her to God, departed with joy to Him.

And the commemoration of Saint Eupraxia.

Saint Eupraxia flourished during the reign of Theodosius, to whom she was related; she was the daughter of Antigonus the senator. Upon his death, she was brought by her mother, Eupraxia, to the emperor as their kinsman and guardian, and she lived under his protection. ^C Having been betrothed to a certain senator, since he died before the marriage could be consummated, she distributed her wealth to the poor and, together with her mother, withdrew to the city of Thebes in Egypt. Having entered the monastery where one hundred nuns resided, she took the habit. She remained in the monastery, living a life equal to the angels. Her mother went around her estates in the East, sold them, gave a portion to the poor, and donated a portion to the churches, then returned to the monastery and, after living a short time longer, fell asleep. After this, Eupraxia arrived at the summit of virtue and, having performed miracles, rested in the Lord.

And the commemoration of Saint Olympias.

Saint Olympias lived during the reign of Arcadius and Honorius, the sons of Theodosius the Great. She was the daughter of Acundus the comes, and the granddaughter of Ablabius the prefect; she was called a bride but was the wife of no man. ^D For he who had taken her as his wife having departed to the Lord, she remained both virgin and widow. She spent all the days of her life in fastings, in prayers, and in the greatest liberality toward the poor. And the property that she possessed...

distributing all she had to the needy, and emptying all her wealth for the care of the priests of Christ, she especially honored the blessed John Chrysostom, serving him in his infirmities. But after he had suffered ^A unjust exile by the empress Eudoxia, she herself was finally adorned with the crown of confession. For she was banished for the sake of the truth and endured many tribulations. But until the end, giving thanks to God, she gave up her spirit.

*And the commemoration of our holy Fathers, who were gathered in the fifth synod.*

In the seventh year of the emperor Justinian, Anthimus the heretic became Patriarch of Constantinople, who had formerly been Bishop of Trebizond, but being transferred from there, he ascended the great throne of the imperial city. But being a heretic, he was cast out by the orthodox, and in his place, Menas, the most holy presbyter of the Church of Constantinople and administrator of the Xenodochium of Sampson, was ordained by Agapetus, Pope of great Rome. In his time ^B there appeared Severus and Peter, men carrying every heresy within themselves, who disturbed the Church of Christ, vexing the orthodox. Wherefore the emperor Justinian convened a synod of one hundred and sixty-five holy Fathers in Constantinople, and he anathematized them and their followers, as well as every heresy. Since then, the Church of God, observing such a commemoration, glorifies God.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-sixth day.

*The Contest of the holy hieromartyr Hermolaus and his companions.*

Hermolaus the hieromartyr, ^C and his companions Hermippus and Hermocrates, were presbyters from the clergy of the Church of Nicomedia, survivors of the twenty thousand holy ones whom the impious Maximian burned in the church. They were hidden in a certain small house. But after Saint Panteleemon was seized and brought for questioning before the impious Maximian, he was compelled to indicate where Hermolaus was hiding; and since he did not know how to lie, he confessed the location. Therefore Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates were captured, bound, and brought to the tyrant; they freely confessed Christ, and they mocked ^D the idols and reviled them, and they called those who believed in them miserable. Wherefore, having been tortured with various torments, they were beheaded: and thus having been perfected, they received an indissoluble kingdom and eternal life.

*And the contest of the holy martyr Sanctus and his companions.*

These men lived under the emperor Marcus Antoninus, and were from the city of Ravenna in the province of Italy. Because they confessed Christ, they were seized by the governor of the province, and were first afflicted with the harshest punishments,

^A being forced to deny Christ. And since they would not do this, they were delivered into prison. Afterwards, being brought out of prison, they were tortured again. For one had heated bronze plates applied to his sides; another was delivered to beasts; another was seated upon a red-hot iron throne. And a certain woman, having been scourged from morning until evening, and hung upon a piece of wood, and thrown to the beasts, and tied to horses and dragged for a long time, gave up her spirit. The rest, having been cast into prison, were strangled with ropes and thrown to the dogs to be devoured; and their remains, having remained untouched, were thrown into the river Rhone.

And the commemoration of the venerable John of the Palaeolaura, and of the holy Maurice.

OF THE SAME MONTH. 27th Day. Contest of the holy great martyr Panteleemon.

Panteleemon, the greatest martyr of Christ, was from the city of Nicomedia, the son of Eustorgius, a pagan, and Eubula, a Christian, and a physician by profession. He learned this art from Euphrosynus, who enjoyed the greatest reputation among physicians; but he received the faith of Christ from the priest Hermolaus, by whom he was also baptized. Because of this, he also restored to life a child who had been struck by a viper and died, and he made a blind man see; and he performed many other miracles. Having been denounced to the Emperor Maximian, and arrested, and having confessed Christ, he was tortured in various ways. ^B And finally, having received the sentence of the sword, having been bound in chains, and having reached the place of his perfection, he was tied to an olive tree. And having had his head cut off, he shed blood and milk; which is seen even to this day, and provides healings to all the faithful who approach.

And the commemoration of the holy Anthusa.

The venerable Anthusa flourished during the reign of Constantine Caballinus. Having renounced the world and having desired Christ, she lived in mountains and caves. And having found a certain holy monk and priest sitting in the districts of Mantineum, she took him as one to be imitated in asceticism. ^C And she advanced so much in virtue that she even entered a furnace that was burning fiercely without being burned. But after the death of Sisinnios, the most holy priest, having been denounced by Caballinus for honoring and worshipping the holy icons, she was forced by those who were sent to her to deny their veneration. And because she did not consent, she was beaten severely. But when she revealed to the Emperor’s wife, who was unable to give birth, that she would bear two children, a male and a female; when this happened, she was released from the torture. ^D And thus she caused the Empress to be so disposed toward her that she was held by her in place of a mother. And in this manner she fell asleep.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyr Eustathius of Ancyra.

And the contest of the holy martyr Acacius.

And the contest of the holy apostles Prochorus, Nicanor, and those with them.

OF THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-NINTH DAY.

The contest of the holy martyr Callinicus.

^A and brought forth water from the earth and gave them to drink. But when he arrived at the city of Gangra, he was cast into prison. And after a few days, having been brought out of prison and compelled to deny Christ, and refusing to be persuaded, he finished his life in the fire. And his venerable relic was laid by the hands of Christians in the very place of his completion.

And the commemoration of our holy Father and confessor John, metropolitan of Chalcedon.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The thirtieth day. Commemoration of the blessed John the soldier. ^B He served in the army under Julian the Apostate. Having therefore been sent with other soldiers for the persecution against the Christians, he seemed to those who saw him to be a persecutor, but secretly he championed the Christians; to some, before they were captured, he signaled that they should flee, and for others, after they had been seized, he devised a secret escape. And he showed sympathy not only to these, but he also supplied the necessities to the needy. And he adorned his life with prayers and fastings, and visitations of the sick, and consolations of the afflicted, and ordered it according to the rule of honesty. Having lived in this manner, he rested in the Lord; and he was laid in the place where foreigners were also buried. But later, he made himself known to a certain woman through a vision: for appearing to her, he revealed his deeds in life and the name by which he was called. Performing also many other miracles, he also checks the flight of slaves.

And the commemoration of the holy apostles Silas, Silvanus, Crescens, Epaenetus, and Andronicus.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The thirty-first day.

The Contest of the holy martyr Julitta

And the commemoration of our holy Father Eudocimus the Younger. This blessed man lived during the reign of Theophilus, the enemy of Christ,

^A whose parents were of Cappadocian lineage; they had combined the splendor of the age (for they were patricians) with the orthodox religion. Wherefore Eudocimus, being excellently reared by them in virtue, was promoted by Theophilus to the rank of Candidatus and was also appointed to a military command, first in the province of Cappadocia, and then in the district of Charsianum. He was everywhere a just balance and a rule, observing all equality, bestowing most abundant alms daily, adorning the churches, defending widows and orphans, and, in short, mirroring every form of virtue. Having lived in this manner according to God, he was eventually seized by a bodily illness and rendered his spirit unto God. His relatives, fulfilling his mandate, buried him with his garments and shoes, and God glorified him with many miracles.

IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST

Eleazar, that most illustrious man who dwelt in Jerusalem, was the teacher of the seven sons of the holy Solomonis. But when Jerusalem had been depopulated by King Seleucus, and the people of the Hebrews led into captivity, these also were detained and were compelled to taste of the sacrifices of the Gentiles and to eat polluted foods. But they were never persuaded; rather, struggling for the laws of their fathers, they were subjected to diverse tortures. First, indeed, Eleazar was harshly beaten and cast into the fire, and praying, he delivered his spirit to God. Then the boys, in the order in which they were born, being brought one after ^C another, and exposed to torments, racks, wheels, and fire, were fulfilled for the sake of piety, truly showing a mind that possessed sovereign authority over the passions. And thirdly, their mother Solomonis voluntarily entering the furnace, died upon her own sons.

And the struggle of the holy martyr Leontius and his companions.

The martyrs of Christ, Leontius and Alexander, together with their holy companions, lived during the reign of the emperor Diocletian and were from the region of Pamphylia. ^D Being from diverse places, yet having one purpose towards our Lord Jesus Christ, inasmuch as they were born of Christian parents, having therefore taken counsel together and holding all the affairs of this world as nothing, they reached the temple of Diana. And being there, they overturned all the idols. Being discovered, therefore, and seized, they were beaten severely, and were torn with iron claws, and their eyes were pierced with awls; and being delivered to prison, they remained for many days without food. Afterwards, brought forth from the prison, they were exposed to wild beasts. But the beasts did not touch them. Finally, having received the sentence by the sword, they were beheaded.

[B']

The Contest of the Holy Hieromartyr Stephen and His Companions

Stephen the hieromartyr was during the reign of Valerian, a native of ancient Rome. While he was hiding because of the persecution in a small dwelling, he used to baptize the Gentiles who came to him and would ordain deacons and presbyters, and he prayed to God for the salvation of the world. Having also healed the daughter of Emesius the tribune of the plebs, he persuaded him to be baptized; and not only him, but also a multitude of men and women, who were perfected through various tortures. Gathering their relics, the high priest Stephen buried them honorably. Afterward, being compelled to enter the temple of Mars and to worship, he entered, and having prayed, he threw down the idol. After this, while he was performing the sacred rites, he was beheaded; and he was laid to rest in that very chair, together with his disciple, who held in his hand the holy symbol of the faith.

And the Finding of the Relics of the Holy Martyr Dadas and His Companions

These holy martyrs were during the reign of the emperor Maximian in the city of Dorostolon in the region of Thrace. Having been seized and brought before the governor, they were compelled to sacrifice to the idols. And as they did not obey, they were cast into prison. While the holy Maximus was reading the divine Scriptures to his fellow martyrs, they fell asleep and saw the devil holding weapons of war and fighting against them. And having been awakened, they saw an angel of God giving them courage. Afterward, they were cruelly beaten, and having received the sentence [to be executed] by the sword, they were led to the place of the condemned, and there their heads were cut off on the twenty-eighth day of April. Their precious relics were found through an angel on the second day of August; these now lie in the church of the holy Theotokos located in the district of Vigilantia, performing many healings for those who come to them.

And the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen

During the reign of Constantine the Great, the relic of the holy Protomartyr Stephen was revealed. For a certain man, a presbyter named Lucian, who lived in the village where it lay hidden under the earth, found it through a divine vision. For the first champion appeared to him three times and made himself known. And when John the archbishop learned of this, he was filled with joy and traveled to the place with the clergy. And having dug, he found the casket. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and a most sweet fragrance.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The Third Day. Memory of the Holy Dalmatus, Faustus, and Isaacius

The blessed Isaacius was previously practicing virtue in the desert

^A and having subdued the affections of the body and conquered the demons, afterwards by divine providence came to Constantinople, and dwelling in one of the city's monasteries, which is now called the Dalmatos [Monastery], through his virtue and teaching he persuaded many to forsake the world and become monks and be saved. Among whom were Dalmatus and his son Faustus. For the latter, being a soldier in the times of the Emperor Theodosius, having one day encountered the saint by chance, and having tasted of his conversation, he deserted both his wife and children, and taking with him only his son Faustus, came to him and became a monk, tonsuring his son as well. And thus they labored, so as to become renowned before the emperor and senate, and performed many wonders for the glory of God; and thus after the death of Isaacius they finished their lives. ^B

IN THE SAME MONTH. The Fourth Day.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Ia and those with her.

This woman flourished in the time of Sapor, King of the Persians, being of very advanced age. She was seized, along with nine thousand Christian captives who were taken away and given over to the chief magi to be tormented with various kinds of torture; and along with them, this blessed woman bore these tortures with a constant mind: and after she had been vexed with many punishments, she was beheaded.

The contest of the holy martyr Eleutherius the cubicularius.

Eleutherius, the martyr of Christ, was a native of the city of Byzantium in the time of the Emperor Maximian, one of the senators, and also ^C numbered among the emperor's intimate eunuchs. Since he had pleased God through instruction in His commandments, yet had not been perfected by the divine baptism, and wishing to be baptized, he asked the emperor to allow him to go to his own suburban estate. Having obtained the favor, he went to the river Sangarius, and having built a subterranean church there, and having brought a presbyter, he was baptized there. But wishing to flee the emperor, he feigned illness. When Maximian learned of this, he came to the place, and having seen with his own eyes the temple and the arrangement of the altar, he burned with anger; and having seized Eleutherius, he first subjected him to dire tortures: shortly thereafter he cut off his head. ^D

IN THE SAME MONTH. The Fifth Day.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Eusignius.

Eusignius, the martyr of Christ, was from the great city of Antioch, and served as a military commander in the times of Constantius, father of the great Constantine; and he lived until the times of Julian the Apostate. Being apprehended for the sake of the Christian faith, he was subjected to questioning. And when he rebuked the apostate for having forsaken the true God and approached vain idols as if they were gods, he was beaten with cudgels and tormented with harsh tortures. After he had been punished severely

(for he was one hundred and ten years old), he was thrown into prison. And having been brought out of prison after some days, and having stood again before the apostate, he was compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to the idols. And as he would not be persuaded, but rather rebuked the tyrant again, his head was cut off with a sword; and thus he was perfected, having received an unfading crown and eternal life.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE SIXTH DAY

After Christ had spoken much to His disciples about dangers and certain sorrowful things, and had affirmed that these things belonged to the present life, but that good things are in hope, wishing to show them what that glory is with which He is to come, He took them up to a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them; and His face shone as the sun, and His garments became as brilliant as the light. And Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. He took only three of the others ^B as being the most excellent; but He brought Moses and Elijah into their midst, correcting the incorrect opinions concerning Him held by many. For since some said He was Elijah, and others Jeremiah, for this reason He presented these men, so that He might show the disciples the distinction between the servants and the Lord, and might persuade them that He has power over both death and life.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE SEVENTH DAY

Dometius, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of Phrygia during the tyranny of Julian the Apostate. Seeing that many were yielding to the tyrant, and that the number of those who were denying Christ and worshipping idols was increasing daily, he was distressed and indignant, and was seized with great sorrow. One day, therefore, when the chariot races were being held, and a sacrifice was being offered to the unclean demons, he could not endure it; but, inflamed by divine zeal, he stood in the middle of the theater, and with a loud voice anathematized the apostate Julian, spit upon the idolaters, and mocked the falsely named gods. ^D Having therefore been seized and bound securely, he was delivered to the governor; and after having endured many tortures, he was shut up in prison. And after a few days, having been brought out of prison and forced to deny Christ, and not being persuaded, his sacred head was cut off by the sword.

And the commemoration of the slaughter of the Persians and of the Avars.

During the reign of Heraclius, Chosroes, the king of the Persians, sent a general with a force of many men. And he devastated the entire Roman state. This same general came even to Chalcedon, desiring to take also

^A the city of Constantinople. Heraclius, however, wishing to create a diversion against the Persians, and being short of troops, left the city to his son Constantine and departed secretly. Having boarded a ship and navigated the straits, he eluded the Persians, and having gathered an army and marched into Persia, he laid the region waste. The leader of the Avars, becoming aware that Heraclius was in Persia, broke the peace treaty, came as far as the Golden Gate, and waged war. The city was thus besieged by both land and sea. But the people of God, along with the patriarch, having instituted public prayers and carrying the icon of the most holy Mother of God, drove away the enemies. Since that time, the city has celebrated such a procession in thanksgiving. And the commemoration of the pious empresses Pulcheria and Irene.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The eighth day.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Marinus

Christ’s martyr Marinus lived during the reign of Diocletian and was from the city of Anazarbus. Being a Christian and leading many of the unbelievers to Christ and baptizing them, he was denounced to the prefect Lysias. Being seized and standing before him, he confessed Christ, was beaten severely, and, having heavy irons placed upon him, was cast into prison. The next day, he was led to the interrogation, and because he was compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to idols, and did not consent to do so, he was suspended by his feet from a rack and beaten with whips. Then he was burned with torches; and having remained in his confession of Christ until his last breath, he received the sentence of death by the sword. Being dragged outside the city, his holy head was cut off. His body, thrown to the dogs to be eaten, was committed to burial by a certain pious man named Xanthius.

And the contest of our holy Father Emilianus, Bishop of Cyzicus

Our holy Father and great priest-martyr and confessor Emilianus lived during the times of those emperors who were hostile to icons, and was bishop of the city of Cyzicus. He shone forth not only in piety and knowledge and the other qualities worthy of true bishops, but also in mercy toward the poor, compassion, long-suffering, and kindness. He possessed a divine zeal for the orthodox faith; and he rebuked with boldness those who did not show adoration and honor to the sacred icons, calling them heretics and enemies of Christ. Having been denounced ^D to the Christ-hating emperor Leo by the enemies of the truth, he was seized and brought to him in chains. Having been subjected first to countless afflictions and later banished from his fatherland, he endured many trials in exile and was brought to his end.

And the memory of our holy Father Theodosius. Our holy Father Theodosius from his tender

obedience to the commandment of Christ, which says: ^A "Whoever does not leave father and mother, and brothers and sisters, and fields, and house, and does not take up his cross and follow after me, cannot be my disciple"; he left everything, and taking up his cross upon his shoulders, followed Him eagerly. And having become a monk, he lived a solitary life, fleeing into the desert. Sometimes he would spend his time in the mountains, sometimes he would dwell in caves, nourishing himself on the fruits of trees and the herbs growing among the rocks; by night and by day beseeching God for his own salvation and that of the world. Leading his life in this manner, he received also the gift of miracles, and having restored health to many infirm people, he departed joyfully to God.

^B And the memory of our holy Father and wonderworker Myron.

Myron, the holy and great hierarch, was from the island of Crete, during the reign of Decius, and was the son of noble parents. Being joined by them in marriage to a woman, he conducted his life according to the rule of piety; and cultivating the land with all care, he fed the poor with its fruits. Having once a garden of chickpeas, he found some people in it stealing chickpeas. They, while they thought they were gathering chickpeas, were picking thorns. But he, having given them chickpeas, sent them away. Having found others also in the threshing floor who had filled their sacks with grain, and were not able to lift them, he himself placed the sacks upon their shoulders, and sent them away, warning them to depart and to steal no more. Afterwards, having been ordained presbyter, and then bishop, and never casting from his mind the mercy towards the poor, he fell asleep in peace.

^C And the struggle of the holy martyr Antoninus.

Antoninus, the martyr of Christ, was from the city of Alexandria, a Christian, pious, and fearing God. For this reason, having been seized by the idolaters, he was brought to the prefect; and being questioned, he confessed Christ. Having been suspended, therefore, upon a wooden frame, he was fiercely torn. And being compelled by the executioners and the soldiers standing by the prefect to deny Christ and be released from the torture, he himself, in a loud voice, proclaimed Christ to be the true God all the more; and he mocked and ridiculed the idols and those who worshipped them. ^D Having persisted for a long time in the torments, he received the sentence of fire. And thus, having prayed and exhorted those who were present to acknowledge only Christ as God, he was cast into the furnace, and delivered his blessed soul to God.

And the struggle of the holy martyrs Eleutherius, Leonidas, and the children.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The ninth day. The struggle of the holy apostle Matthias.

Matthias, the apostle of Christ, was first one of the seventy apostles, excelling in every virtue among

all men. But after Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ out of avarice to the Jews, who were filled with envy, and after he saw that He had been scourged unto death, he went away and hanged himself, the number of the twelve was diminished. Then Peter, together with the ten disciples who were with him, persisting in prayer, cast lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles in the place of Judas Iscariot. And after this, having preached the Gospel in the outer Ethiopia and enlightened many, he was seized by the unbelievers, and after being beaten most severely, he committed his spirit to God.

The struggle of the holy martyr Julian and his companions.

These flourished in the reign of Emperor Leo the Iconoclast. Being of orthodox faith, and fearing God, and honoring the venerable images, they suffered martyrdom. For seeing him averse to the adoration of the holy images, and burning them with fire, they became jealous and grieved. And when they also saw the venerable image of Christ, which stood at the Bronze Gate, being broken down, they brought their sorrow into the open. And seizing the guardsman ^B who had climbed the ladder to destroy the image, they threw him down with the ladder and killed him; and having moved the tyrant to anger, some were immediately put to death by the sword, being many in number, among whom were not a few women, and Maria the patrician. Others were handed over to custody, and had their faces burned, and having suffered many cruelties, were beheaded.

And the commemoration of the holy Constantine, archbishop of the imperial city.

IN THE SAME MONTH. The tenth day. The struggle of the holy martyrs Lawrence, Xystus, and Hippolytus.

These lived in the time of Emperor Decius. Xystus was born in Athens, where he also applied himself to the study of philosophy. Having come to Rome, he was ordained bishop after the death of the holy martyr Stephen. And having distributed through the hands of the deacon Lawrence the ecclesiastical funds he possessed to the poor, he said to him: "Lawrence, tomorrow we shall be handed over to Decius for examination." ^C And according to his prediction, having been seized, and not persuaded to sacrifice to the idols, he was beheaded. Lawrence was also brought in, and when they demanded the sacred treasure from him, he placed the lame and the maimed, upon whom he had bestowed the money, onto wagons, and brought them before the emperor, saying: "These are those who guard the treasure." Then, being stretched over a grate of glowing coals, ^D he delivered up his spirit. But the holy Hippolytus, taking their relics and burying them, was seized; and having been bound to wild horses, he was dragged to his end.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE ELEVENTH.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TWELFTH.

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE THIRTEENTH.

^A pursuits, chose rather to be an outcast in the house of God than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners. Having therefore arrived at the monastery in Chrysopolis, he laid aside his hair, where he later became a leader. Then, inflamed by divine zeal as if by fire, he reached the elder Rome and persuaded the most blessed Pope Martin to assemble a local synod and to smite with anathema the leaders of that impious dogma who dreamed of one will in Christ. But he also composed sermons to refute those who thought this way, and writing letters with demonstrations drawn from reason and Scripture that confirm the accuracy of our faith, he disseminated them to all parts of the world. Departing from Rome along with his two disciples named Anastasius, he was arraigned before the senate, which consented to the emperor’s heresy, on the charge that, while all yielded to the emperor, he alone resisted him and stirred others to defection, inducing them through his letters to think the opposite. For this reason, he was sent into custody near Thrace; and persisting in the orthodox faith, he had his right hand and tongue amputated, and was from there banished to the region of Lazica. There, after spending three years and ministering to the needs of his own body himself, he reached the fullness of days and, after a brief illness, rested in the Lord. He was buried in the monastery of Saint Arsenius in that same land of the Lazi, where he works many miracles daily. It is said, however, that after the amputation, his tongue was miraculously restored by God, and that he spoke clearly as long as he lived. ^B Of his two disciples, the elder Anastasius, having had his tongue and right hand cut off just like his master, was cast into distant exile; while the younger was sent to a certain fortress in Thrace, where he ended his life.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The fourteenth day.

This man lived under the Emperor Theodosius and hailed from the island of Cyprus, where, having been entrusted with the civil administration and governance of the province, he astonished everyone by the piety and precision he applied to official matters. Having then crossed over to the priestly order and been appointed bishop of Apamea in Syria, he performed his duties in all other respects justly and holily. He was also a fervent zealot of the faith in Christ, building churches to the glory of God and destroying temples of idols. When he could not succeed in burning one of these, which was called the temple of Zeus, because the demon inhabiting it would not permit it to be consumed or razed to the ground by any engines, the saint took water, blessed it, and sprinkled it upon a stack of wood, causing a fire to ignite and the temple to be consumed by the flames. ^D Having been seized for this by the idolaters and cast into the fire, he received the crown.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE FIFTEENTH DAY.

The Dormition of our most glorious Lady, the Theotokos.

^A When it pleased our Lord and God to take up His Mother to Himself, He announced her translation to her through an angel. Upon hearing this, she rejoiced; and ascending the Mount of Olives, having prayed, she returned to her house. And having prepared all things necessary for the burial, she awaited her Son. And when a great thunder occurred, all the apostles arrived from the ends of the earth by clouds in order to tend to her immaculate body. And having arranged herself upon the bed, she committed her holy soul into the hands of her Son and God. Her most immaculate body, having been buried by the holy apostles, was not found after the third day. For Thomas, having opened the tomb to venerate the remains (for he had arrived late), did not find it; for God had translated it to a place which He Himself knows; only the linen cloths were found.

And the contest of the holy martyr Ursicius.

And the commemoration of the destruction of the Hagarenes, which took place by the mercy of God.

perished. Having reached the ships, they were struck by burning hail and perished. ^A

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE SIXTEENTH DAY. The contest of the holy martyr Diomedes.

Diomedes, the martyr of Christ, had the city of Tarsus in Cilicia as his fatherland. He had learned the medical art. Yet, in the times of the Emperor Diocletian, he departed from Tarsus and traveled to Nicaea; where, through piety toward God and skill in the medical art, he earned the good favor of those who came to him. From this he was denounced to the emperor. But when those who had come to apprehend him discovered that he had already departed to the Lord, they cut off his head and brought it to the emperor; seeing which, the emperor ordered it to be brought back and joined to the corpse. Upon this being done, it is said that the soldiers who had brought it immediately recovered the use of their own eyes, which they had lost when they had cut off the head of the holy man. And his precious remains were handed over for burial by faithful and pious men. ^B

And the contest of the holy hieromartyr Myron.

This man existed during the time of Emperor Decius, and of Antipater, governor of Achaea, as a presbyter of the Church. On the holy day of Christ’s Nativity, therefore, when Antipater had gone into the church to seize the Christians, this man, being filled with zeal, assailed him with rather harsh words. For this reason, he was suspended and mangled; subsequently, he was cast into a furnace. But the furnace preserved the holy man unharmed, while it burned up one hundred and fifty of the men who were standing around it. And the saint, being forced again to sacrifice to idols, and not being persuaded, was flayed from his shoulders to his feet. From which, taking a thong, he lashed it into the face of the proconsul. Afterwards, with his flesh torn open, he was dismembered: and Antipater, looking upon him and being filled with shame, laid hands upon him himself. He, however, having been taken thence to Cyzicus, and having received the sentence of the sword from that proconsul, was beheaded. ^C

IN THE SAME MONTH. THE SEVENTEENTH DAY. The contest of the holy martyr Paul, and Juliana and their companions.

These were during the time of Emperor Aurelian, born in the city of Ptolemais, siblings in the flesh. But Paul, having meditated upon the divinely-inspired Scriptures, was obstructing the mouths of both Jews and Greeks. While, however, the emperor was spending time in the city, he was denounced, and was brought before him; and having confessed Christ, he was suspended and scraped. His sister, seeing this and crying out against the tyrant, was herself also apprehended. And having been suspended, she was scraped, and both were cast into a boiling cauldron of pitch; but having received no harm from this, they were stretched upon an iron bed that had been set on fire, and were beaten upon their loins. Afterwards, they were thrust into prison, and having received angelic food—

they were strengthened; then, having been cast out, they were beaten. Stratonicus, Codratus, and Acacius, the executioners, because they spared the saints, were beheaded along with them. ^A

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Strato, Philip, and Eutychian

These men, while staying in the city of Nicomedia, used to go to the theater by agreement, so as to instruct the crowd gathered there, to turn them away from the worship of idols, and to bring them to the faith of Christ. One day, therefore, the governor, seeing the theater empty of people and having learned the cause—that the crowds, being taught by the holy martyrs, had abandoned the pleasures of the spectacles and were pursuing a certain new life, having despised the ancestral gods—ordered the saints to be brought before him immediately. And when they stood before him, they confessed that they themselves held to the faith in Christ and that they taught others; being led into the theater, they were exposed to beasts. But being preserved unharmed by them, and having been tested by various modes of torture, they were finally cast into the fire, fought the contest for Christ, and having won the victory, and having received the crown of victory, they obtained the kingdom of heaven. ^B

ON THE SAME MONTH The Eighteenth Day

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus

These were twin brothers, stone-masons by trade. After the martyrdom for Christ of their teachers, they left their occupations in Byzantium and arrived in Illyricum. There, working at their own trade while exploring certain mines under the governor, they were later sent by him to Licinius. From him they received money to build a temple for the idols. But they gave the money to the poor, yet they built the temple; and when it was completed, they broke the idols in pieces and dedicated it to the glory of Christ. Upon learning this, Licinius cast them into a deep pit, where they committed their souls to God. In the time of Constantine the Great, their precious relics were revealed and were brought to Constantinople, and were established in the place where they now lie. ^C

The Contest of the Holy Martyrs Hermas, Serapion, and Polyaenus

These men, having been accused by the infidels because they worshiped Christ and loathed the idols, were arrested and stood before the prefect of Rome. Having confessed with boldness their faith in Christ, they were first shut up in a most dark and foul-smelling prison. Then, being cast out of prison, and not consenting to sacrifice to the idols, they were dragged through narrow and difficult places, bound with ropes; and as they were being dragged, and being dashed against the stones, they committed their sacred souls to God. But their precious and most holy relics, some of the pious Christians, by night, going secretly and taking them up, with psalms and hymns... ^D

have committed them to a tomb, for the glory of our true God Christ, for whom they willingly met their end.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The nineteenth.

The contest of the holy great martyr Andrew and those with him.

This man lived during the reign of Maximian, a commander of soldiers in the East under Antiochus, who held the command of the entire army. Having been sent by him, together with other commanders, against the Persians, and having called upon Christ, he routed the Persians. And at the unhoped-for victory, he drew those who were with him to the faith in Christ. ^B Being slandered to Antiochus, they were brought before him as convicts. And to some, a bed of iron heated by fire was spread out. Others with him were nailed by their hands to square pieces of wood. Then, by the order of Antiochus, they were cast out from the borders of the province by a thousand other soldiers. But the saint, having exhorted them, brought them to the faith in Christ. When Antiochus came to know of this, he pursued them with his men and put them all to the sword. And last of all, the most glorious martyr of Christ, Andrew, the most famous among the champions.

And the contest of the holy martyr Timothy and those with him.

The glorious martyr of Christ, Timothy, was born in Palestine, in the city of Gaza, being perfected in doctrine and all manner of life. Having been detained, he stood before the prefect of Gaza; and being interrogated, and confessing himself a Christian, and explaining the economy of Christ, and His sojourn for our sake, and His incarnation in theological terms, he was beaten cruelly. And being vexed with all kinds of tortures, and yielding in no way, he was delivered to the fire and met his end. ^C On the same day, and in the same city, Agapius and Thecla, who were detained in prison because they taught in the name of Christ and recalled many of the infidels from error to the Lord, and baptized them, standing before the prefect, were brought in, yet would not sacrifice to the idols; but, preserving the love of God undefiled, they were thrown to wild beasts and received the crown of martyrdom.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twentieth.

Memory of the holy prophet Samuel.

Samuel the glorious and great prophet of God was born in Judea, from Mount Ephraim, of the tribe of Levi, the son of Elcana and Anna. Now Elcana had two wives, of whom one was called Anna, and the second Phænanna. And Phænanna indeed had a child; but Anna had no child. Now Elcana would go up with Anna to Silom to worship God; but the Lord had closed her womb; and

she was grieved because she was reproached by Phænanna as being barren. She prayed therefore to God, and conceived Samuel, and dedicated him to God. He was raised in the temple of the Lord. And when he reached maturity, he served before the Lord, and judged the people of Israel. He also anointed Saul as king, and afterwards David; and having reached a profound old age, he departed to God, one thousand and thirty-five years before the incarnation of Christ. ^A

And the martyrdom of the thirty-seven holy martyrs.

And the commemoration of St. Theoclitus the wonderworker.

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE TWENTY-FIRST.

The martyrdom of St. Bassa and her children.

And the martyrdom of the holy martyr Lucius.

^A sake struggling and receiving the crown of victory, he was moved by the grace of Christ and received divine baptism. Having also persuaded the prefect to be baptized, he took him with him and sailed to Cyprus. And finding there that Christians were detained and being slaughtered for the sake of Christ, he joined himself with the martyrs, secretly giving himself up to the torturers without the prefect's knowledge. And being forced to sacrifice to idols, he could not be induced to do so in any way; nor was that all, he even kicked the altar and overturned it. Thus, the prefect having been driven to anger, his head was cut off.

EODEM MENSE. ^B Die vicesima secunda

The contest of the holy martyr Agathonicus and his companions.

Eutolmius the count, having been sent by the emperor Maximian from Nicomedia into the Pontic region to destroy the Christians, arrived at the emporium called Carpe. There, finding the holy Zoticus with his disciples confessing Christ, he slew them. Having returned from there to Nicomedia and having been informed that Princippus, by means of a certain Agathonicus, was turning the Greeks away from the worship of idols, he sent and seized both of them together with many other Christians; and he dragged them with him ^C to the emperor who was staying in Thrace. But when he had arrived at a certain fortress called Potamus, he killed Zeno, Theoprepius, and Acindynus, as they were unable to continue the journey; and at Chalcedon he slew holy Severianus. As for Agathonicus, along with the rest of the fellow captives and Princippus, after they were cruelly beaten at Byzantium, he led them as far as Selymbria, where Maximian was staying; and there he cut off his head and those of his companions.

And the memory of Saint Anthusa, and the contest of Bishop Athanasius and his companions.

Christ the martyr Anthusa lived in the times of the emperor Valerian. She was born at Seleucia to wealthy parents, who were, however, worshippers of idols. She, however, inflamed with the desire for Christ, left her parents and her home; and taking with her Charisimus and Neophytus, her servants, pretending to depart for her nurse, she journeyed toward the city of Tarsus ^D so that she might receive baptism. But the angel of the Lord, catching up the bishop of Tarsus, Athanasius, brought him to meet her on the way; and when there was no abundance of water there, the bishop prayed and drew water from the earth, and he baptized her and her servants. Returning to her mother afterward, and not being received, she embraced the monastic life: and having properly finished her struggle, she rested. The bishop Athanasius, however, being detained by Valerian together with Charisimus and Neophytus, and having been tortured severely beforehand, was then beheaded: and thus, having finished their martyrdom, they received the kingdom of heaven.

ON THE SAME DAY, THE TWENTY-THIRD OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

The contest of the holy martyrs, the priests Or and Orepse-

The contest of the holy martyr Silvanus and his companions.

Memory of our holy Father Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch.

when in fact it was not of Eustathius, but of some coppersmith.

And the memory of our holy Father Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch.

Meletius, that orthodox pastor of the Church of Christ, flourished in the times of the emperor Constantius. This Constantius, being an Arian, when he had respite from war, gathered a synod at Antioch to reject the Homousion and to substitute and proclaim the Heterousion. But since the Church of Antioch was widowed of a pastor, it was resolved first to appoint a bishop of Antioch, and then to discuss the faith. Now Meletius was at that time bishop of Sebaste, a learned man, but one who, because of the insubordination of his subjects, had abdicated his see and was living a quiet life. The heretics, therefore, ^B thinking that he held the same views as they did, requested the emperor to appoint him as bishop of Antioch. But after he had been elected, and was asked to proclaim the truth, standing in their midst, he confirmed the Homousion and put the heretics to shame. He, in the reign of the great Theodosius, having traveled to Constantinople and installed Gregory the Theologian upon the throne, ended his life there.

And the memory of our holy Father Callinicus, Archbishop of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Callinicus was a presbyter of the Great Church. Because of his virtue, he was appointed patriarch of Constantinople ^C by Justinian, the grandson of Heraclius, who, devising many tribulations for himself, once ordered the patriarch to offer up prayers for the destruction of the temple of the most blessed Mother of God. But he gave this answer, that there were no prayers for destroying, but only for building. Being compelled, however, by those who had been sent, to fulfill the emperor’s command, he only said: "Glory to Christ God, who endures such things." When the emperor, therefore, by reason of his perversity, was stripped of his empire, had his nose and tongue cut off, and was exiled to Cherson, and again by God’s permission had gathered strength from Bulgaria and regained the empire; ^D the patriarch was seized by the soldiers and exiled to Rome. And having been shut up in a chamber walled in from the outside, he was brought to his end.

And the contest of the holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium.

The holy martyr of Christ, Irenaeus, lived during the reign of Diocletian. Instructing those who came to him and training them in the truth of Christ, and preaching Christ openly, he was denounced by the idolaters to the prefect Probus; and having been arrested and bound in chains, he stood before him. And when he was questioned regarding his name, his station, his religion, his fatherland,

^A he set aside all else and confessed himself a servant of Jesus Christ. Being therefore severely beaten, he was committed to prison, and suffered great afflictions in it, the jailers having received orders not only to guard him securely, but not even to allow anyone to enter to tend to him or to bring him anything necessary for his sustenance. After many days, therefore, having been released from prison and again compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to the idols, and not being persuaded, he was severely tortured; and after this, having received the sentence of the sword, he was beheaded.

The Contest of the Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus

This man lived during the reign of Marcus and Antoninus; he was a man of ancient times, a successor of the holy apostles, and served as bishop in the city of Lyons, in the country of Gallia. And having written many books confirming the orthodox faith, he left them to the Churches. From these, those of a later time, having received the foundations for the interpretation of the divine Scriptures, spread them throughout the whole inhabited world. Having thus become great in virtue ^B and knowledge, after the contest for Christ and the end of the bishop Pothinus, he was designated bishop of the aforementioned city. And having snatched many of the faithless by his words and teachings, and having brought them to Christ as martyrs, he was eventually arrested himself by the persecutors, and having been perfected by the sword, he departed to God, having received the kingdom laid up for him.

ON THE SAME MONTH, THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY

^C

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Tatian

Tatian, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of Gratia, living near Mantineum, and teaching the faith in Christ to the faithless who came to him. But having been discovered, he was arrested by the Greeks, and bound in chains, he was led to Claudiopolis and delivered to the governor. And while preaching the true faith, he was severely beaten and delivered to prison. But after having been sufficiently afflicted, he was again brought out and compelled to deny Christ. And not being persuaded, he was beaten with large staves and burned with red-hot iron. Then, being bound with ropes, he was dragged through the middle of the city, being beaten and trampled. And when he reached the gate of the city, having signed himself with the sign of the precious cross, and having heard a voice from above announcing the goods prepared for him, ^D he committed his spirit to God, and his precious relics were buried in that same city.

The Contest of the Holy Martyr Eutychius, Disciple of the Holy John the Theologian

Eutychius, the martyr of Christ, was born in the city of Sebastopolis; but because of his longing for Christ, he renounced both his fatherland and his parents, and went away to the holy John the Theologian, and became his disciple. And having imitated him in virtue, he was filled with the grace of God: and with divine zeal

moved, he overturned the fortifications of error, and tore down the temples of the idols; and having converted the unbelievers to the Lord Christ, he baptized them. And after the passing of the Theologian, he went away to the holy Paul ^A and suffered with him in his afflictions, enduring bonds and tortures and scourges: and being cast even into the furnace, he came out unharmed, for the rain having descended extinguished it; and having been cast to the wild beasts to be eaten, he received no injury from them. Then, led by an angel of God, he went away to Ephesus; and having visited the flock of his master, he again betook himself to his own city, where he rested, full of days.

The memory of our holy Father Menas, Archbishop of Constantinople.

Our holy Father Menas was, in the reign of Justinian, a presbyter of the Church of Constantinople. But because of his virtue he was chosen patriarch of Constantinople, and consecrated by Pope Agapetus of Rome, ^B who had come there at that time to settle ecclesiastical questions, and had deposed the heretic Anthimus with an anathema from his throne. But when this man had returned again to Rome, and had died after some time, another Roman pontiff was appointed, who after a little while also sought Constantinople, and was received with honors, and most affectionately, both by the emperor and by the patriarch; but the emperor, in his lightness of mind, imposed a penalty ^C upon the most holy Menas, that he should no longer perform the liturgy. And he indeed, as a pontiff of God, accepted the penalty with joy. But the emperor, having become angry, insulted the pope and sent him back to Rome. And after these things, the holy Menas, having well shepherded his flock, departed to God.

The martyrdom of the blessed martyr George of Limniona.

The blessed George, having first led an ascetic life from his youth in the mountains of Olympus, when he had endured many contests of virtue; ^D later in the reign of Leo the Isaurian, who rejected the holy images and burned the relics of the saints, being moved by divine zeal, stood before him, and having taken hold of the liberty of speech, refuted him most strongly, calling him godless and the forerunner and imitator of Antichrist. Having been arrested therefore, and severely tortured, he was surrendered to the guard, and having been led through many hardships, he was compelled to renounce the veneration of the holy images in writing. But when he refused to do this, and endured different kinds of torments, and later, having had his nose cut off and his head burned, giving thanks to God, he rendered up his spirit, being ninety-five years of age.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fifth day. The memory of the holy Apostle Titus, Bishop of Crete.

Titus, the apostle of Christ, was born from the island of Crete.

^A His manner of life being such, he left all things behind and confessed himself to be a servant of Jesus Christ. Having been severely beaten, he was delivered to prison, where he suffered greatly, for the prison guards had received orders not only to keep him secure, but not even to allow anyone to enter to attend to him or to bring him any necessary food. After many days, therefore, he was brought out of prison and again compelled to deny Christ and sacrifice to the idols, and as he was not persuaded, he was severely tortured; and after this, having received sentence by the sword, he was beheaded.

And the contest of the holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus.

This man lived during the reign of Marcus and Antoninus, an ancient man, who had been a successor of the holy apostles, and served as bishop in the city of Lugdunum, in the region of Gaul. And having written many books confirming the orthodox faith, he left them to the churches. From these, later generations, taking the occasions for the interpretation of the divine Scriptures, spread them throughout the whole world. Having thus become great in virtue and knowledge, after the contest for Christ and the end of the bishop Pothinus, he was appointed bishop of the aforementioned city. And having drawn many of the faithless by his words and teachings, and brought them to Christ as martyrs, at last he himself was also seized by the persecutors and, perfected by the sword, he departed to God, receiving the kingdom that was prepared for him.

OF THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-fourth day. ^B

The contest of the holy martyr Tatianus.

Tatian, the martyr of Christ, was from the region of Gratia, and dwelling near Mantineum and teaching the faith in Christ to those among the faithless who came to him. Having been detected, he was seized by the Greeks, and bound in chains, and led to Claudiopolis, and delivered to the governor. And preaching the true faith, he was severely beaten and delivered to prison. After he had been sufficiently afflicted, he was brought out again and forced to deny Christ. And not being persuaded, he was beaten with great rods, and burned with heated irons. Then, tied with ropes, he was dragged through the middle of the city, being beaten and trampled underfoot. And when he reached the city gate, he signed himself with the sign of the precious cross, and hearing a voice from above announcing the good things prepared for him, he committed his spirit to God, and his precious relic was buried in that same city.

And the contest of the holy martyr Eutychius, disciple of the holy John the Theologian.

Eutychius, the martyr of Christ, was from Sebastopolis; but for the sake of his longing for Christ, he left behind both his country and his parents, and went to the holy John the Theologian, and became his disciple. And having imitated him in virtue, ^{C D} he was filled with the grace of God; and with divine zeal

^A of money, and not waging war on nations, but on Christians. Having been cajoled by the tyrant, therefore, and pressed by persuasive words to deny Christ, he did not yield, but was openly attacked, and beheaded, and thus reached his end. His relics were translated and deposited in the same place where those of the holy Hadrian and the other saints, and of the apostle Stachys, lie.

ON THE SAME MONTH. The twenty-seventh day. Memory of our holy Father Liberius.

Blessed Liberius, champion of the truth, was bishop of Rome under the emperor Constantius. Burning with zeal for the orthodox faith, he received the great Athanasius, who had been harassed by the heretics and expelled from the throne of Alexandria because he openly defended the truth. For as long as ^B Constantine and Constans, the elder sons of the great Constantine, were alive, the orthodox faith was preserved; but when they died, and Constantius, the youngest son, who was an Arian, was left as master of affairs, the heretics prevailed. Therefore, Liberius, having greatly refuted and rebuked the impiety of the heretics, was exiled to Beroea in Thrace. But since the Romans were bound to him by faith and love, they approached the emperor and requested him; and for this reason he was sent back to Rome, and after he had rightly shepherded his flock, he passed away.

And memory of our holy Father Pœmen the anchorite.

Our holy Father Pœmen was from the region of Egypt: having abandoned the world, he withdrew with his own brothers to a monastery, and became a monk. Many years later, when their mother set out to visit them, she could not succeed: for they had closed the door against her. But while she persisted in groaning, Pœmen said to her, not looking at her: "What do you desire, O mother?" She replied: "I wish to see you." To whom Pœmen said: "In the other world we shall see one another." Hearing this, she departed. But he did not only do this thing worthy of remembrance, but also many other things. For the prefect of the region, having arrested the son of his sister on account of a crime committed, had decided to punish him with death: and having learned that he was the nephew of the holy man, he notified him, saying: "If you think it just, I will release him." To whom Pœmen replied thus: "Inquire diligently into his case: and if he is guilty of death, let him die; but if not, do as you wish." The prefect, admiring his mind, which was in no way subject to the passions, released him. The saint performed many other miracles, and rested in peace.

And memory of our holy Father Hosius, bishop of Corduba.

Hosius, bishop of Corduba, having renounced the world and embraced the monastic life, first excelled in the ascetic life: soon shining forth to all

^A in virtues and miracles, he was consecrated bishop of the city of Corduba by the archbishop of Rome. Having zeal for the orthodox faith, he was present at the great synod, refuting the madness of Arius and rejecting the heresy harmful to souls. But he himself even took care of convening the Council of Sardica, and held the first throne among the bishops who had gathered. Afterward, he was sent into exile by the Emperor Constantius, who was an Arian, along with many other bishops who clung tenaciously to the orthodox faith, and having suffered many dire things in that exile and endured many temptations, he departed rejoicing to God, for whom he had contended.

ON THE SAME MONTH THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY [KH']

Memory of our holy Father Moses the Ethiopian.

^B This blessed man was an Ethiopian by birth, by color extremely black, a slave of a certain citizen, who had expelled him because of his perversity of character and habit of thievery. This man once bore a grudge against a certain shepherd who had been an obstacle to him in committing a crime, and he conceived in his mind to do away with him. But having been informed that he was beyond the Nile, which was overflowing with water, he gripped his sword in his mouth and, having placed his cloak over his head, he swam across. ^C But the shepherd, having sensed his coming, fled and went off; he, however, slaughtered four choice rams and, binding them with a rope, he swam back across the Nile. And having eaten the meat and filled the skins with wine, he went back to his companions. I have recounted these things to show that it is possible for those who wish to be saved through repentance. But this man, finally having been pricked in the heart by a certain circumstance, gave himself up to a monastery. And he approached repentance in such a way that he also led his own accomplices to Christ. While he was sitting one time in his cell, certain robbers made an assault upon him, not knowing that it was Moses. The blessed man bound them with a rope ^D as if they were a sack of chaff, loaded them onto his own shoulders, brought them to the church, and said to the brethren: "Since it is not permitted for me to harm anyone, and I found these men attacking me, what do you order concerning them?" They, having recognized that it was he, Moses, that famous and invincible bandit chieftain, confessed to God and they themselves renounced the world and became most excellent monks. Thus the holy elder, having lived a life pleasing to God and having overcome the demon of incontinence, died at the age of seventy-five, having also been made a presbyter and leaving seventy disciples after him.

ON THE SAME MONTH THE TWENTY-NINTH DAY [KΘ']

The Beheading of the honorable head of the honorable, glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.

He who is testified to by Christ as being the greatest of all who are born of women, and more than the prophets...

^A who leaped in the womb, and proclaimed Christ to those on earth and in Hades, was the son of Zacharias the high priest and Elizabeth, born by the announcement of Gabriel. His venerable head was cut off by Herod because of the unlawful union with Herodias. He, having put on holiness from his mother's womb, having received purity, having embraced temperance, exercising himself in abstinence from food, removed from all human association, inhabited the desert as a city, living with wild beasts, clothed in camel's hair, and girded with a leather belt; and like the birds, he used food offered spontaneously by nature: he meditated assiduously upon the law of God, to whose observance and custody nothing was ever more precious to him. He transcended the very limits of nature; and he baptized the pure and immaculate Christ, who is beyond all nature.

Since therefore Herod, who was highly indulgent to lust, the tetrarch of the Judean region, had taken for himself in marriage the wife of his brother Philip, the prophet, aroused by divine zeal and armed with the weapons of truth, said to the tyrant: "It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip." Hence came prisons and bonds for the saint, as the maddened woman drove her lover to this. Wherefore, ^B while birthday feasts were being celebrated, and with sumptuous and voluptuous drinking bouts that devolved the host into a loss of mind, lo, a dancing-girl, the daughter of a harlot, and the reward, the slaughter of the prophet. Straightway, therefore, the head of the righteous one was brought upon a platter, and handed to the wanton and adulterous woman, still dripping blood, and uttering the same voice. These things were done in the city of Sebaste, which is at a distance of one day's journey from Jerusalem. And in the same place, where he who reigned after him, the Tetrarch, established royal houses, and where the banquet for the murder of the prophet was celebrated, there that prophetic and holy body, having been laid out by his own disciples, was hidden away. ^C

ON THE SAME MONTH. Thirtieth Day. Memory of the blessed wonderworker Fantinus.

He drew his origin from the region of the Calabrians, born to parents George and Bryena. Consecrated to God indeed from his very swaddling clothes, he is given over to a monastery; and having attained every virtue, and become a proved worker of the commandments of God, he is rendered worthy of divine revelations. And he remained fasting for twenty days. He even persevered naked for four years; struggling against innumerable calamities on account of the incursions of the Saracens. When he had continued in these things for sixty years, taking with him his disciples Vitalius and Nicephorus, he arrived at the Peloponnese: ^D and having dwelt for a long time in Corinth, he gave many the opportunity for salvation; and seeking Athens, and having venerated the temple of the Mother of God, he repaired to Larissa; and having lingered for a long interval of time at the tomb of Saint Achillius, he set out for Thessalonica, delighted by the prodigies of the great martyr Demetrius: and for eight whole years he followed his accustomed

enjoying the wonders of the great martyr Demetrius, and for eight whole years pursuing his customary rule of temperance, he departed this life in a good old age. ^A

ON THE SAME MONTH. THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY.

The Deposition of the Venerable Girdle of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Arcadius, son of the great Theodosius, having brought the venerable girdle of the most holy Theotokos from Jerusalem—where until that time it had been preserved together with her precious robe by a certain virgin—and having brought it to Constantinople, deposited it in an elegant reliquary, which he called the Holy Chest. Four hundred and ten years later, the Emperor Leo opened this holy chest on account of his wife Zoe, who was troubled by an impure spirit; she had been deemed worthy of a divine vision and admonished that if the venerable girdle were placed upon her, she would obtain recovery. ^B Thus, the adorable girdle was found, looking as if it had been newly woven, shining, and marked with a golden seal, and an accompanying codicil indicating in detail the year, the indiction, and the day on which the holy girdle had been brought to Constantinople, and how it had been placed inside the reliquary by the hands of the Emperor and sealed by him. The Emperor embraced it, and by the hand of the patriarch of that time, it was spread over the Empress, delivering her from the sickness. And all, glorifying the Saviour Christ and rendering hymns of thanksgiving to His most pure Mother, deposited the holy girdle in the venerable chest in which it had been kept before. ^C

BASILIUS JUNIOR PORPHYROGENITUS: NOVELLAE CONSTITUTIONES

I.

Concerning the building of churches and religious houses.

Divinely established, our Majesty, both by monks whose piety and virtue are attested, and by many