Patriarch's Homilies

01-28Saint Ephraim the Syrian

01-29

01-29Removal of the Relics of Ignatius the God-bearer

01-30Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom & their Mothers

01-31Cyrus & John the Unmercenaries

Fourth Century

These Saints lived during the years of Diocletian. Saint Cyrus was from Alexandria, and Saint John was from Edessa of Mesopotamia. Because of the persecution of that time, Cyrus fled to the Gulf of Arabia, where there was a small community of monks. John, who was a soldier, heard of Cyrus' fame and came to join him. Henceforth, they passed their life working every virtue, and healing every illness and disease freely by the grace of Christ; hence their title of "Unmercenaries."

They heard that a certain woman, named Athanasia, had been apprehended together with her three daughters, Theodora, Theoctiste, and Eudoxia, and taken to the tribunal for their confession of the Faith. Fearing lest the tender young maidens be terrified by the torments and renounce Christ, they went to strengthen them in their contest in martyrdom; therefore they too were seized.

After Cyrus and John and those sacred women had been greatly tormented, all were beheaded in the year 292. Their tomb became a renowned shrine in Egypt, and a place of universal pilgrimage.

It was found in the area of the modern day resort near Alexandria named Abu Kyr.

02-28

02-28Basil the Confessor

03-28

03-29Mark Bishop of Amethusa, and his companions

03-30John Climacus

03-30Joel The Prophet

03-31Hypatius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gangra

04-28The Holy Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus

04-29Saints Jason and Sosipater the Apostles of the 70 and their Companions

04-30James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian

06-29St Peter & Paul

06-30Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious and All-Praised Twelve Apostles.

The Synaxis of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ appears to be an ancient Feast. The Church honors each of the Twelve Apostles on separate dates during the year, and has established a general commemoration for all of them on the day after the commemoration of the Glorious and First-Ranked among the Apostles Peter and Paul.

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07-28Saints Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas

By faith ye were shown forth as the Word's hallowed deacons, His ven'rable eye-witnesses, and chosen vessels, Nicanor and Prochoros, glorious Timon and Parmenas; hence we celebrate today your sacred memorial, and with joy of heart, we keep the feast now in gladness, whereon we all call you blessed.

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07-29Saint Callinicus the Martyr

Thou rightly hast now inherited delight on high, for thou didst wax hot with burning love for Christ thy God, O Callinicus, for Whose sake thou didst courageously brave the fire; as thou standest before Him now, cease not interceding with Him for us all.

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07-30Silas, Silvan, Crescens and Andronicus the Apostles of the Seventy

Ye have appeared as great and fruit-bearing branches of Christ the Vine, O God-proclaiming Apostles, bearing the virtues in great clusters, wisdom's fruit, which pour forth upon us all the sweet wine of salvation; which when we receive within, we are drunken with gladness, and celebrate your honoured memory. Pray that our sins be forgiven and we be saved.

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