There were two occasions when the monks and hermits of Sinai and Raitho were murdered by the barbarians. The first took place in 312 when forty Fathers were killed at Mt. Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raitho the same day. The second massacre occurred nearly a hundred years later. Troparion God of our […]
Tag Archives: martyrs
Jan. 13 The Holy Martyrs Hermolaus and Stratonicus
The Emperor Licinius raised a great persecution of Christians. St. Hermolaus, a Christian and a deacon in the Church, was arrested and brought to trial. When Hermolaus was informed that he was being led away to be tortured, he greatly rejoiced. In vain did the emperor threaten him. Hermolaus openly confessed his faith in Christ, […]
Jan. 05 The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona; Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt; The Holy Prophet Micah
The holy martyrs Theopemptus and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (c. 350) Our venerable mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is to have led a solitary life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century) The holy prophet Micah, who in the […]
Jan. 04 Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus
Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles, whose names were recorded by St. Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach (cf. Luke 10: 1-5) Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen at Cuomo in Sicily founded a monastery in the city of Kucuma on the island […]
Dec. 29 The Holy Innocents; Our Venerable Father Marcellus, Hegumen of the Akimetes
The holy innocents killed for Christ by Herod in Bethlehem of Judea: the impious king did this in the expectation that, with them, the infant Jesus would perish. They have been honored as martyrs from the first ages of the Church, the first-fruits of all who would pour out their blood for God and the […]
Dec. 28 The Twenty Thousand Martyrs of Nicomedia
The twenty-thousand martyrs of Nicomedia: During the reign of emperor Maximian Hercules, the Christian faith was brutally persecuted in Nicomedia. When the local Christians gathered in the church to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, he ordered his soldiers to surround the church and set it on fire. Those inside were offered free passage out, […]
Dec. 23 The Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete
The Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete: Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompous, Agathopus, Basilides, and Evaristus suffered for Christ during the 3rd century under the emperor Decius (249-251). The governor of Crete fiercely persecuted the Church, and arrested anyone who believed in Christ. Once, ten Christians were brought before him from various cities of […]
Dec. 14 The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucas, Philemon, Appolonius, and Callinicus
The holy martyrs Thyrsus, Leucas, and Callinicus suffered for Christ under the emperor Decius (249-251) at Caesarea in Bithynia. St. Leucas, having reproached the prefect for his unjust persecution of Christians, was executed after being tortured. St. Thyrsus, who was still a catechumen, was nonetheless eager for martyrdom. He was sentenced to cruel tortures and […]
Dec. 13 The Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes; The Holy Martyr Lucy, the Virgin
The holy martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes gave their lives for Christ in Armenia during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). St. Eustratius was a Roman commander in the city of Satalionus; Eugene was his companion in the army; Orestes was likewise a distinguished soldier; Auxentius was a priest; and Mardarius was an ordinary […]
Dec. 10 The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus
The holy martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus: Menas and Hermogenes were born in Athens and moved to Constantinople in the 4th century. Both were pagans. Menas was sent by Emperor Maximian to calm the strife between pagans and Chrsitians in Alexandria. While there, he became a Christian. The emperor sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to punish […]