[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Tue Apr 15 05:00:17 CDT 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Tue Apr 15 2008

----------------------------------------------------
------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------

Isaiah 49:6-10  (6th Hour)
6 Indeed He says, It is too small a thing that You should be My
Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved
ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That
You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.
7 Thus says the Lord, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him
whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of
rulers: Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because
of the Lord who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel, who has chosen
you."
8 Thus says the Lord: In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in
the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give
You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them
to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That You may say to the prisoners, Go forth, To those who are in
darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed along the roads, And their
pastures shall be on all desolate heights.
10 They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall
strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the
springs of water He will guide them.
Scripture Reading 1 of 3

-----------------------------

Genesis 31:3-16  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and
to your family, and I will be with you.
4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,
5 and said to them, I see your fathers countenance, that it is not
favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with
me.
6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but
God did not allow him to hurt me.
8 If he said thus: The speckled shall be your wages, then all the
flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: The streaked shall be your
wages, then all the flocks bore streaked.
9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to
me.
10 And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I
lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped
upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, Jacob. And I
said, Here I am.
12 And He said, Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on
the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen
all that Laban is doing to you.
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you
made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the
land of your family.
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, Is there still any
portion or inheritance for us in our fathers house?
15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and
also completely consumed our money.
16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really
ours and our childrens; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.
Scripture Reading 2 of 3

-----------------------------

Proverbs 21:3-21  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than
sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are
sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of
everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those
who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to
do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work
is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared
with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in
his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the
wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself
and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back,
strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come
to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the
assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil
will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful
for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and
angry woman.
20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness,
and honor.
Scripture Reading 3 of 3

----------------------------------------------------
------ SAINTS/FEASTS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

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.
_________________________________________________________________
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).
_________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________
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].)
_________________________________________________________________