[Readingsandsaints] Readings and saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Apr 15 2007

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Matthew 28:16-20  (1st Matins Gospel)
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain
which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been
given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3


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Acts 5:12-20
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were
done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's
Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them
highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of
both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on
beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might
fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem,
bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits,
and they were all healed.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him
(which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with
indignation,
18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common
prison.
19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and
brought them out, and said,
20 Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of
this life.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3


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John 20:19-31
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear
of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then
the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent
Me, I also send you."
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them
when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,
and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into
His side, I will not believe."
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas
with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst,
and said, "Peace to you!"
27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My
hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be
unbelieving, but believing."
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have
believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His
disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His
name.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3



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------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Antipascha St Thomas Sunday
Some icons depicting this event are inscribed "The Doubting Thomas."
This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, "The Touching of
Thomas." The Slavonic inscription is, "The Belief of Thomas." When St
Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any
doubts.
br> This day is also known as "Antipascha." This does not mean
"opposed to Pascha," but "in place of Pascha." Beginning with this
first Sunday after Pascha, the Church dedicates every Sunday of the
year to the Lord's Resurrection. Sunday is called "Resurrection" in
Russian, and "the Lord's Day" in Greek.
_________________________________________________________________
Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy
Saint Aristarchus was one of the Seventy Apostles, whom the Lord Jesus
Christ sent to proclaim the good news of the Gospel (Luke. 10:1-24).
St Aristarchus, a co-worker of the holy Apostle Paul, became bishop of
the Syrian city of Apamea. His name is repeatedly mentioned in the
Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2) and in the Epistles
of St Paul (Col. 4:10, Philemon 1:24). He accompanied St Paul on his
travels (Acts 16:29), and was Bishop of Apamea, Syria.
St Aristarchus is also commemorated on April 15 with Sts Pudens and
Trophimus and on September 27 together with Sts Mark and Zenas.
_________________________________________________________________
Apostle Pudens of the Seventy
Saint Pudens was one of the Seventy Apostles whom the Lord Jesus
Christ sent before him with the good news of the Gospel (Luke
10:1-24).
St Pudens is mentioned in St Paul's second Epistle to Timothy (2 Tim.
4:21). He occupied high position as a member of the Roman Senate. The
saint received the foremost Apostles Peter and Paul in his home, where
believing Christians gathered. His house was converted into a church,
receiving the name "Pastorum". According to Tradition, the holy
Apostle Peter himself served in it as priest.
St Pudens suffered martyrdom at Rome under the emperor Nero (54-68).
He is also commemorated on January 4.
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Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy
Saint Trophimus was one of the Seventy Apostles, whom the Lord Jesus
Christ sent to proclaim the good news of the Gospel (Luke. 10:1-24).
St Trophimus hailed from the city of Edessa. His name is mentioned in
the Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 20:4) and in St Paul's second
Epistle to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:20). He was a disciple and companion of
the Apostle Paul, sharing with him all the sorrows and persecution.
St Trophimus is also commemorated on January 4.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Basilissa of Rome the Disciple of Apostles Peter and
Paul
The Holy Women Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia lived in Rome and were
converted to Christianity by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. They
devoted themselves to the service of the Lord.
When the emperor Nero (54-68) persecuted Christians and gave them over
to torture and execution, Sts Basilissa and Anastasia took the bodies
of the holy martyrs and gave them reverent burial. Rumors of this
reached Nero, so Sts Basilissa and Anastasia were locked up in prison.
They subjected them to cruel tortures: they scourged them with whips,
scraped their skin with hooks, and burned them with fire. The holy
martyrs remained unyielding, however, and bravely confessed their
faith in Christ the Savior. By Nero's command, they were beheaded with
the sword (+ ca. 68).
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Anastasia of Rome, the Disciple of Apostles Peter and
Paul
The Holy Women Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia lived in Rome and were
converted to Christianity by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. They
devoted themselves to the service of the Lord.
When the emperor Nero (54-68) persecuted Christians and gave them over
to torture and execution, Sts Basilissa and Anastasia took the bodies
of the holy martyrs and gave them reverent burial. Rumors of this
reached Nero, so Sts Basilissa and Anastasia were locked up in prison.
They subjected them to cruel tortures: they scourged them with whips,
scraped their skin with hooks, and burned them with fire. The holy
martyrs remained unyielding, however, and bravely confessed their
faith in Christ the Savior. By Nero's command, they were beheaded with
the sword (+ ca. 68).
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia
The Holy Martyr Suchias and his 16 Georgian Companions were
illustrious dignitaries who served at the court of the Albanian
(Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on the present day
territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Andrew with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Andrew was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Anastasius with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Anastasius was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the
holy martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at
the court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania"
on the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Talali with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Talali was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Ivherion with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Ivherion was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Jordan with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Jordan was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Kondrat with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Kondrat was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Lucian with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Lucian was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Mimnenos with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Mimnenos was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Nerangios with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Nerangios was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Polyeuctus with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Polyeuctus was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the
holy martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at
the court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania"
on the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Jacob with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Jacob was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Phocas with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Phoca was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Domenitian with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Domenitian was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the
holy martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at
the court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania"
on the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Victor with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Victor was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Zosimas with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Zosimas was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the holy
martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at the
court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania" on
the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sava the Goth of Wallachia
The Holy Martyr Sava, a Goth, lived during the fourth century. At this
time the Arian bishop Wulfilas preached Christianity among the Goths,
and St Sava was among those who were baptized.
St Sava led a virtuous life, devout, peaceful, temperate, simple, and
quiet. He avoided women, and spent all his days in prayer. He often
sang in church and devoted himself to its welfare, boldly preaching
Christianity.
The Gothic princes and judges, under the influence of the pagan
priests, began a persecution against the Christians and demanded that
they eat meat offered to idols. Many of the pagans, to save the lives
of their friends and relatives who had accepted Christianity, gave
them ordinary meat instead of meat offered to idols.
Some Christians agreed to such a ruse, but St Sava refused and
declared that Christians ought to confess their faith without
dissimulation. After this, St Sava was driven out by those who lived
in his village, but they later asked him to return. When the
persecution of Christians had intensified, the fellow villagers of St
Sava decided to go to the judge and swear that there were no
Christians among them. St Sava declared, "Do not swear for me, because
I am a Christian."
The inhabitants then swore that there was only one Christian in their
village. On the judge's orders, St Sava was brought to him. The judge,
seeing his poverty, decided that he could neither help nor harm
anyone, so he set him free.
Meanwhile, the persecution continued. Soon, Atharid, one of the Gothic
military commanders, descended on the village during the Feast of Holy
Pascha. St Sava was preparing to greet the Great Feast with Bishop
Guthik, but along the way an angel returned him to his own village.
The priest Sapsal had recently arrived there from Greece. Soldiers
arrested Sapsal and St Sava, whom they did not even allow to get
dressed.
The priest rode on a cart, but St Sava had to walk naked behind the
cart through the thorns, and they beat him with rods and switches. The
Lord preserved the martyr, so that in the morning when they reached
the city, St Sava said to his oppressors, "Look at my body, and see
whether there are any traces of the thorns or of your blows."
The soldiers were astonished, seeing the martyr healthy and unharmed,
without the slightest trace of injury. Then they stretched St Sava on
the axles of a cart, and they beat him the whole day. During the
night, a certain pious woman got up to prepare food for the household,
and seeing the martyr, she set him free. He began to help her with the
housework.
During the day, by Atharid's order, they suspended St Sava from the
lintel of the house. They placed meat offered to idols before him and
the priest, offering to set them free if they ate it. The priest
Sapsal replied, "We would prefer that Atharid crucify us, than to eat
meat defiled by devils."
St Sava asked, "Who has sent this food?"
"Master Atharid," the servant replied.
"There is only one Master, God, Who is in Heaven," said the martyr. In
anger one of the servants struck St Sava in the chest with a spear.
Everyone thought that the martyr was dead, but the saint did not feel
any pain. He said to the one who had struck him, "Your blow felt as if
you had struck me with soft wool."
Atharid gave orders to put St Sava to death. They left the priest
Sapsal tied up, and led St Sava to the River Mussova to drown him.
Along the way the saint gave thanks to God for allowing him to suffer
for His Holy Name.
During all this the servants said, "Why shouldn't we free this
innocent man? Atharid will not find out if we free him." St Sava heard
them and cried out, "Do as you are commanded! For I see angels coming
with glory to receive my soul!" Then they threw the martyr into the
river, after they tied a large beam of wood to his neck.
St Sava suffered on April 12, 372, when he was thirty-eight years old.
The executioners recovered the body of the martyr and threw it on
shore, but Christians later hid it. Still later, one of the Scythian
leaders, the Christian Junius Saran, brought the relics of St Sava to
Cappadocia, where they were reverently received by St Basil the Great
(January 1).
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Martyr Theodoritus with Suchias in Georgia
Saint Theodoritus was one of the sixteen Georgian companions of the
holy martyr Suchias. They were illustrious dignitaries who served at
the court of the Albanian (Hagbanite) ruler (i.e. "Caucasian Albania"
on the present day territory of Azerbaizhan).
Escorting the Albanian ruler's daughter Satenika, wife of the Armenian
emperor Artaxar (88-123), St Suchias and his sixteen companions
arrived in Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia (the city was
later destroyed by the Romans in the year 163).
Preaching there at the time was a Greek Christian named Chrysos, who
had been enlightened and ordained by the holy Apostle Thaddeus (August
21). The Georgian dignitaries came to believe in Christ the Savior,
and they resolved to devote their lives to the service of God. All
seventeen of the newly-converted followed Chrysos into Mesopotamia.
When Bishop Chrysos baptized them in the waters of the Euphrates, they
were permitted to behold the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.
The holy martyrs set up a cross at the place of their Baptism and
named it the "Cross of the Annunciation." Bishop Chrysos gave all the
saints new names: the eldest was called Suchias (replacing his old
name Bagadras), and his companions were named Andrew, Anastasius,
Talale, Theodoritus, Ivherion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lukian, Mimnenus,
Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Phoka, Domentian, Victor and Zosimas.
After the martyric death of Bishop Chrysos, St Suchias became the
spiritual leader of the brethren. All soon resettled in a wild
locality on Mount Sukaketi, not far from the mountain village of
Bagrevandi. Here the former dignitaries led very strict ascetic lives.
The scant mountain vegetation served as their food, and they drank
from a cold spring of water.
The new ruler of pagan Albania, Datianos, learned that his former
officials had accepted Christianity and had gone into solitude. He
sent his associate Barnapas with a detachment of soldiers to persuade
them to return to court and return also to their former faith.
Barnapas searched for St Suchias and his companions, but keeping their
vow of service to God, they refused all entreaties.
Then by order of Barnapas, St Suchias and his companions were
stretched out and nailed to the ground, and then burned. After this,
their bodies were dismembered and scattered all about Mount Sukaketi,
from which the martyrs received also the title the "Mesukevians" (more
correctly, "Sukaketians"). This occurred in the year 123 (by another
account, in the year 130; although an Athos manuscript of the eleventh
century from the Iveron monastery gives the year as 100).
The holy relics of the martyrs remained incorrupt and unburied until
the fourth century, when they were placed in graves and consigned to
the earth by local Christians (the names of the holy martyrs were
found written on a cliff).
The holy hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Armenia (September 30),
built a church on this spot and established a monastery. And
afterwards, a curative spring of water was discovered there.
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St Basil of Poiana Marului
Saint Basil, the Elder of St Paisius Velichkovsky (November 15), was
born toward the end of the seventeenth century. He received monastic
tonsure at Dalhautsi-Focshani Skete in 1705 or 1706, laboring in
asceticism with great fervor.
St Basil was ordained to the holy priesthood, and became igumen of
Dalhautsi in 1715. He remained in that position for twenty years, and
was a wise instructor of monks, teaching them obedience, humility, and
the art of the Jesus Prayer.
The fame of this great spiritual Father began to spread, so that even
Prince Constantine Mavrocordat heard of him. St Basil's community
became known as a spiritual school of hesychasm, based on the wisdom
of the Holy Fathers. When the number of his disciples increased until
there was no longer room for all of them at Dalhautsi, they settled in
other Sketes in the area. In this way, his influence and teaching
spread to other places, inspiring a spiritual renewal of Romanian
monastic life in the eighteenth century.
St Basil renovated the Poiana Manului (Apple Orchard) Skete near the
city of Romni-Sarat between 1730-1733, then moved there with twelve
disciples. In addition to his duties as Igumen of Poiana Marului, St
Basil was the spiritual guide of all the Sketes in the Buzau
Mountains. One of his most famous disciples was St Paisius
Velichkovsky, whom he tonsured on Mount Athos in 1750.
The holy Elder Basil also wrote introductions to the writings of Sts
Gregory of Sinai, Nilus of Sora, and others who wrote about the
spiritual life, guarding the mind, and on the Jesus Prayer. He taught
that the Holy Scriptures are a "saving medicine" for the soul, and
recommended reading the Holy Fathers in order to obtain a correct
understanding of Scripture, and to avoid being led astray through
misunderstanding. St Basil also warned against any inclination to
excuse ourselves and our sins, for this hinders true repentance.
St Basil fell asleep in the Lord on April 15, 1767, leaving behind
many disciples. His influence has been felt in other Orthodox
countries beyond the borders of Romania.
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St Ephraim the Great of Atsquri
Saint Ephraim the Great of Atsqurione of the most important figures in
the Georgian Church of the 8th and 9th centurieswas a disciple and
companion of St. Grigol of Khandzta.
On his way from Klarjeti in southern Georgia to Abkhazeti in the
northwest, St. Grigol met the young Ephraim and immediately perceived
in him a like-minded companion and the future wonderworker and bishop
of Atsquri.
Grigol promised to take the young man as his disciple. On his way back
to Klarjeti St. Grigol accompanied Ephraim and another youth,
Arsenius, the future Catholicos of Georgia. He entrusted the
upbringing of these two holy youths to his spiritual sons Christopher
and Theodore.
The brothers of Khandzta Monastery objected to the arrival of the
youths, since the monastery rules prohibited young visitors. But St.
Grigol told them that God had revealed this as His will and that,
after being raised at the monastery, these young men would be like
spiritual successors of St. Ephraim the Syrian and St. Arsenius the
Great.
St. Ephraim was later consecrated bishop of Atsquri and became a major
figure in the Church of his time. He significantly contributed to the
definitive strengthening of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church. As
a result of his labors, the Georgian Church received a blessing from
Antioch to prepare its own chrism in Mtskheta.
St. Ephraim administered the diocese of Atsquri for forty years. God
endowed him with the gifts of prophecy, wonder-working, and healing.
He lived to an advanced age and reposed peacefully. Even today, those
who approach his holy relics are healed of their infirmities. (St.
Ephraim of Atsquri is also mentioned in the Life of St. Arsenius the
Great [commemorated September 25].)
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