[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Sun Mar 9 2008

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


-----------------------------
                                      
Isaiah 43:9-14  (Vespers, 1st Reading)
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be
assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things?
Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let
them hear and say, It is truth.
10 You are My witnesses, says the Lord, And My servant whom I have
chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.
12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no
foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses, Says the Lord,
that I am God.
13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can
deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: For your
sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives The
Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.
Scripture Reading 1 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9  (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no
torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their
departure was thought to be affliction,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at
peace.
4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is
full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt
offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run
like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will
reign over them for ever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will
abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.
Scripture Reading 2 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3  (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
15 But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord;
the Most High takes care of them.
16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem
from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover
them, and with his arm he will shield them.
17 The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all
creation to repel his enemies;
18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial
justice as a helmet;
19 he will take holiness as a invincible shield,
20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with
him to fight against the madmen.
21 Shafts of lightening will fly with true aim, and will leap to the
target as a from a well-drawn bow of clouds,
22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the
water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly
overwhelm them;
23 a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will
winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and
evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.
1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the
ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty
from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into
your plans.
Scripture Reading 3 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
John 20:11-18  (8th Matins Gospel)
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she
stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to
them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where
they have laid Him."
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus
standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you
seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if
You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will
take Him away."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!"
(which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended
to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending
to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the
Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Scripture Reading 4 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Romans 13:11-14:4  (Epistle)
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake
out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first
believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast
off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the
flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over
doubtful things.
2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only
vegetables.
3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him
who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands
or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make
him stand.
Scripture Reading 5 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Hebrews 12:1-10  (Epistle, 40 Martyrs)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to
sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be
discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He
receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what
son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become
partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid
them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the
Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them,
but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
Scripture Reading 6 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Matthew 6:14-21  (Gospel)
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
16 Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad
countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to
men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father
who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you openly.
19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Scripture Reading 7 of 8


-----------------------------
                                      
Matthew 20:1-16  (Gospel, 40 Martyrs)
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in
the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he
sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in
the marketplace,
4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is
right I will give you.' So they went.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did
likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing
idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all
day?'
7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You
also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'
8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his
steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with
the last to the first.'
9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they
each received a denarius.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive
more; and they likewise received each a denarius.
11 And when they had received it, they complained against the
landowner,
12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made
them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.'
13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no
wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 'Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last
man the same as to you.
15 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or
is your eye evil because I am good?'
16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called,
but few chosen.
Scripture Reading 8 of 8



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


Sunday of Cheesefare Explusion of Adam from Paradise
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam's expulsion
from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not
obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of
Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion
with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendents
became heirs of death and corruption.
Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of
disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to
cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our
fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain
foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires
and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer,
repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the
life-giving Mysteries of Christ.
At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: "Let us begin the time of fasting in
light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our
soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain
from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit."
_________________________________________________________________
40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste
In the year 313 St Constantine the Great issued an edict granting
Christians religious freedom, and officially recognizing Christianity
as equal with paganism under the law. But his co-ruler Licinius was a
pagan, and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the
Empire. As Licinius prepared his army to fight Constantine, he decided
to remove Christians from his army, fearing mutiny.
One of the military commanders of that time in the Armenian city of
Sebaste was Agricola, a zealous champion of idolatry. Under his
command was a company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had
distinguished themselves in many battles. When these Christian
soldiers refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked
them up in prison. The soldiers occupied themselves with prayer and
psalmody, and during the night they heard a voice saying, "Persevere
until the end, then you shall be saved."
On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola.
This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor,
their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce
Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their
emperor.
Seven days later, the renowned judge Licius arrived at Sebaste and put
the soldiers on trial. The saints steadfastly answered, "Take not only
our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more
precious to us than Christ God." Licius then ordered his servants to
stone the holy martyrs. But the stones missed the saints and returned
to strike those who had thrown them. One stone thrown by Licius hit
Agricola in the face, smashing his teeth. The torturers realized that
the saints were guarded by some invisible power. In prison, the
soldiers spent the night in prayer and again they heard the voice of
the Lord comforting them: "He who believes in me, though he die, yet
shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you shall
obtain imperishable crowns."
On the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of
the torturer, but the soldiers remained unyielding.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy
soldiers, threw them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to
prevent them from coming out of the water. In order to break the will
of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set up on the shore. During the
first hour of the night, when the cold had become unbearable, one of
the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but no sooner had he
stepped over the threshold, than he fell down dead.
During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the
martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water
in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for
Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a
radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius
counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had
lost his crown.
Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to
them, "I too am a Christian," and he joined the martyrs. Standing in
the water he prayed, "Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these
soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer
with Your servants." Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head.
In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were
still alive, and their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together
with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their
legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest of the
soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Cyrion (or Quirio) of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Cyrion was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola ordered that
they be shackled and thrown into prison. Cyrion, the oldest soldier
said, "The emperor has not given you the right to put shackles upon
us." Agricola was ashamed, and ordered that the soldiers be taken back
to prison without shackles.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Candidus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Candidus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Domnus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Domnus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Hesychius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Hesychius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Heraclius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Heraclius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Smaragdus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Smaragdus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Eunocius (Or Eunicus) of the Holy 40 Martyrs of
Sebaste
Saint Eunocius (Eunicus) was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
who refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Valens of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Valens was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Vivianus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Vivianus (Vicratius) was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of
Sebaste who refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for
Christ around 320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great,
was a pagan, and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of
the Empire. As Licinius prepared his army to fight against
Constantine, he feared mutiny and so he decided to remove all
Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Claudius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Claudius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Priscus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Priscus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theodulus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Theodulus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Eutychius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Eutychius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr John of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint John was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused to
sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320. Licinius,
the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and he decided
to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As Licinius
prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared mutiny and
so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Xanthius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Xanthius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Helianus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Helianus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sisinius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Sisinius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Aggias of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Aggias was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Aetius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Aetius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Flavius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Flavius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Acacius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Acacius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Ecdicius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Ecdicius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Lysimachus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Lysimacus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Alexander of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Alexander was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Elias of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Elias was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Gorgonius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Gorgonius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Theophilus of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Theophilus was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Dometian of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Dometian was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Gaius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: in the year 313 St Constantine the
Great issued an edict granting Christians religious freedom, and
officially recognizing Christianity as equal with paganism under the
law. But his co-ruler Licinius was a pagan, and in his part of the
Empire he decided to annihilate Christianity, which had become
widespread. Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine
and, fearing mutiny, he decided to remove Christians from his army.
One of the military commanders of that time in the Armenian city of
Sebaste was Agricola, a zealous champion of idolatry. Under his
command was a company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had
distinguished themselves in many battles. All of them were Christians.
When these soldiers refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods,
Agricola locked them up in prison. The soldiers occupied themselves
with prayer and psalmody, and during the night they heard a voice
saying, "Persevere until the end, then you shall be saved."
On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola.
This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor,
their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce
Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their
emperor. Hearing their refusal, Agricola gave orders to shackle the
soldiers. But the eldest of them, Kyrion, said, "The emperor has not
given you the right to put shackles upon us." Agricola was ashamed,
and ordered that the soldiers be taken back to prison without
shackles.
Seven days later, the renowned judge Licius arrived at Sebaste and put
the soldiers on trial. The saints steadfastly answered, "Take not only
our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more
precious to us than Christ God." Licius then ordered his servants to
stone the holy martyrs. But the stones missed the saints and returned
to strike those who had thrown them. One stone thrown by Licius hit
Agricola in the face, smashing his teeth. The torturers realized that
the saints were guarded by some invisible power. In prison, the
soldiers spent the night in prayer and again they heard the voice of
the Lord comforting them: "He who believes in me, though he die, yet
shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you shall
obtain imperishable crowns."
On the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of
the torturer, but the soldiers remained unyielding.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy
soldiers, threw them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to
prevent them from coming out of the water. In order to break the will
of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set up on the shore. During the
first hour of the night, when the cold had become unbearable, one of
the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but no sooner had he
stepped over the threshold, than he fell down dead.
During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the
martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water
in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for
Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a
radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius
counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had
lost his crown.
Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to
them, "I too am a Christian," and he joined the martyrs. Standing in
the water he prayed, "Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these
soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer
with Your servants." Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head.
In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were
still alive, and their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together
with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their
legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest of the
soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and they
then threw the charred bones into the water, so that Christians would
not gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Leontius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Leontius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Athanasius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Athanasius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Cyril of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Cyril was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Sacerdon of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Sacerdon was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Nicholas of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Nicholas was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Valerius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Valerian was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Philoctimon of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Philoctimon was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Severian of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Severian was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who
refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around
320. Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan,
and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Chudion of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Chudion was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Aglaius of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Aglaius was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the
lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who
was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had
appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine
crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown.
Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to
them, "I too am a Christian," and he joined the martyrs. Standing in
the water he prayed, "Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these
soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer
with Your servants." Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head.
In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were
still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ together
with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their
legs. During this horrible execution The mother of Meliton, the
youngest of the soldiers, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their charred
bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not gather
them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and then
the charred bones were thrown into the water so that Christians would
not gather them up.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Meliton of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Saint Meliton was one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods, and suffered for Christ around 320.
Licinius, the co-ruler of St Constantine the Great, was a pagan, and
he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As
Licinius prepared his army to fight against Constantine, he feared
mutiny and so he decided to remove all Christians from his army.
A company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished
themselves in many battles, was stationed in the Armenian city of
Sebaste under the command of the pagan Agricola. When these soldiers
refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up
in prison.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. The holy soldiers were
lined up and thrown into a lake near the city, and a guard was
stationed on the shore to prevent them from coming out of the water.
In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath house was set
up on the shore. One of the soldiers came out of the water to offer
sacrifice, and the guard Aglaius took his place.
In the morning, the torturers were surprised to see that the martyrs
were still alive, and their guard Aglaius was glorifying Christ
together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke
their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest
of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until
death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to
fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on
the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own
shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last
breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow
sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their
charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not
gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop
of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop
together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious
martyrs by night and buried them with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like
skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this
time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared
in honor of the Forty Martyrs.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia
The Holy Martyr Urpasianus suffered in the city of Nicomedia. The
emperor Maximian Gallerius (305-311) cruelly persecuted Christians
serving in his army and at his court. Some of the timid of soul began
to waver and worship the pagan gods, but the strong held out until the
very end.
The dignitary Urpasianus threw down his cloak and belt at the feet of
the ruler and said, "Henceforth I am a warrior of the Heavenly King,
the Lord Jesus Christ. Take back the insignia that was given to me."
Maximian gave orders to tie Urpasianus to a tree and whip him with
thongs.
Later, they bound the saint to an iron grate, and they built a fire
beneath him. St Urpasianus endured the intolerable suffering with
incessant prayer. The glorious martyr was burned alive, and his ashes
thrown into the sea.
_________________________________________________________________
St Caesarius, brother of St Gregory the Theologian
Saint Caesarius lived for a long time at the court of the emperor
Constantius (337-361), and was his friend and chief court physician.
In the year 368 he miraculously remained alive during an earthquake
and was dug out from under the rubble.
The saint saw how the Lord watches over His servants, and how not one
hair falls from the head of a man without His will. St Caesarius left
the world and devoted himself completely to the service of God.
_________________________________________________________________
Righteous Tarasius of Liconium
No information available at this time.
_________________________________________________________________
Icon of the Mother of God "The Word was made Flesh"
The Albazin Icon of the Mother of God "the Word made Flesh" is of
great religious significance in the Amur River region. It received its
name from the Russian fortress of Albazin (now the village of
Albazino) along the Amur river, founded in the year 1650 by the famous
Russian frontier ataman Hierotheus Khabarov on the site of a
settlement of the Daurian prince Albaza.
The hue and cry over the Amur Albazinsk fortress became an object of
enmity for the Chinese emperor and his generals, who then already
dreamed of expanding their influence over all of Russian Siberia.
On the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 24, 1652, the
first military clash of the Russians with the Chinese occurred at the
Amur. Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos the pagans were
scattered and fled to their own territory. This victory seemed like a
portent for the Russians. But the struggle had only just begun. Many
sons of Holy Russia died in the struggle for the Amur, and for the
triumph of Orthodoxy in the Far East.
In June of 1658 an Albazin military detachment, 270 Cossacks under the
leadership of Onuphrius Stepanov, fell into an ambush and in a heroic
fight they were completely annihilated by the Chinese.
The enemy burned Albazin, overran Russian lands, and carried off the
local population into China. They wanted to turn the fertile
cultivated area back into wilderness.
During these difficult years the Most Holy Theotokos showed signs of
Her mercy to the land of Amur. In 1665, when Russians returned and
rebuilt Albazin, together with a priest there came to the Amur the
Elder Hermogenes from the Kirensk Holy Trinity monastery. He carried
with him a wonderworking icon of the Mother of God "the Word made
Flesh", called the Albazinsk Icon since that time. In 1671 the holy
Elder built a small monastery on the boundary mark of the Brusyan
Stone (one and a half kilometers from Albazin near the Amur), where
the holy icon was later kept.
Albazin was built up. At two churches in the city, the Ascension of
the Lord and St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Albazin priests offered the
Bloodless Sacrifice. Not far from the city (along the Amur) another
monastery was built, the Spassky. The fertile soil produced bread for
Eastern Siberia. The local populace adapted itself to Russian Orthodox
culture, peacefully entering into the multi-national Russian state,
and found Russian protection from the plundering raids of Chinese
feudal war-lords.
At Moscow they did not forget the needs of the far-away Amur frontier.
They strengthened military defenses and improved regional government.
In 1682 the Albazin Military-Provincial Government was formed. They
concerned themselves about the spiritual nourishment of the Amur
region peoples. A local Council of the Russian Church in 1681 adopted
a resolution to send "archimandrites, igumens, or priests, both
learned and good, to enlighten unbelievers with the law of Christ."
The Daurian and Tungusian peoples as a whole accepted Holy Baptism. Of
great significance was the conversion of the Daurian prince Hantimur
(renamed Peter) and his eldest son Katana (renamed Paul) to Orthodoxy.
The servants of the Chinese emperor planned for a new attack. After
several unsuccessful forays, on July 10, 1685, they marched against
Albazin with an army of 15,000 and encircled the fortress. In it were
450 Russian soldiers and three cannon. The first assault was repulsed.
The Chinese then from all sides piled up firewood and kindling against
the wooden walls of the fortress and set it on fire. Further
resistance proved impossible. With its military standards and holy
things, among which was the wonderworking Albazin Icon, the soldiers
abandoned the fortress.
The Mother of God did not withhold Her intercession from Her chosen
city. Scouts soon reported that the Chinese suddenly began to withdraw
from Albazin, ignoring the Chinese emperor's command to destroy the
crops in the Russian fields. The miraculous intervention of the
Heavenly Protectress not only drove the enemy from Russian
territories, but also preserved the grain which sustained the city for
the winter months. On August 20, 1685 Russians were in Albazin again.
A year went by, and the fortress was again besieged by Chinese. There
began a five-month defense of Albazin, which occupies a most honored
place in Russian military history. Three times, in July, in September,
and in October, the forces of the Chinese emperor made an assault on
the wooden fortifications. A hail of fiery arrows and red-hot cannon
balls fell on the town. Neither the city nor its defenders could be
seen in the smoke and fire. And all three times, the Mother of God
defended the inhabitants of Albazin from their fierce enemy.
Until December 1686, when the Chinese lifted the siege of Albazin, of
the city's 826 defenders only 150 men remained alive.
These forces were inadequate to continue the war against the Chinese
emperor. In August 1690 the last of the Cossacks departed from Albazin
under the leadership of Basil Smirenikov. Neither the fortress, nor
its holy things, fell into the hands of the enemy. The fortifications
were razed and leveled by the Cossacks, and the Albazin Icon of the
Mother of God was taken to Sretensk, a city on the river Shilka, which
flows into the Amur.
But even after the destruction of Albazin, God destined its
inhabitants to do another service for the good of the Church. By
divine Providence the end of the military campaign contributed to the
increase of the influence of the grace of Orthodoxy among the peoples
of the Far East. During the years of war, a company of about a hundred
Russian