June Synaxarion
Days: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30
This month has thirty days with fifteen hours of day and nine hours of night.
Memory of the holy Martyr Justin the Philosopher and
His Companions Chariton, Charitos, Evelpistos,
Hierarcos, Peon, and Liberian (+165)Saint Justin was born in Flavia Neapolis of Syria, Ancient Sichem. He was converted to the Christian faith in Ephesus, under Emperor Hadrian (117-138). He went to Rome where he opened a school and wrote his numerous treatises against the Gentiles and heretics. Around 150 he addressed an apology to Emperor Antoninus, refuting pagan errors and proving the Christian religion by philosophical and scriptural arguments. Around the year 155/160, he wrote another apology in favor of the Christians which he addressed to the Roman Senate. Pursued by the philosopher Crescentius' hate, he was seized with six other Christians. "They were all led before Rusticus, the Prefect of Rome. Upon their refusal to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the imperial ordinances, they were scourged then beheaded, and thus consumated their martyrdom in the confession of Our Lord around the year 165. Certain faithful secretly stole their bodies to bury them in a proper place" (an Extract from the Acts of their martyrdom).
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our Father among the Saints Nicephoros the Confessor,
Archbishop of Constantinople (758-829)Saint Nicephoros was born around 758 in Constantinople and was raised there under the ungodly Emperor Constantine V Copronymus. His parents, Theodore and Eudocia, were of a noble and renowned family. Theodore, the secretary of imperial rescripts, accused of honoring the Holy Icons, was torn by whip lashes and sent to a horrible prison in Mylassa in Caria of Asia. Subsequently recalled, he refused to obey the Emperor's orders and was again exiled to Nicaea. He remained there six years and committed his soul in the midst of many sufferings. Because of his first-rate education, his son Nicephoros was named imperial secretary in his place and in that way attended the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787, the second of Nicaea. He left Constantinople and escaped to the banks of the Bosphorus where he lived alone with God. Recalled to the city by Emperor Constantine Pophyrogenitus, he was named administrator of the infirmary for the poor in the capital. Upon the holy Archbishop Tarasios' death, he was entreated to mount the throne of Constantinople. He unwillingly accepted in 806. Shortly after, Leo the Armenian, becoming Emperor in 813, made war against the Holy Icons. He deposed Saint Nicephoros from his throne and exiled him to Chrysopolis (Scutari) in 815. Weighed down by prolonged sorrows, the Saint committed his soul to God on June 2, 829, in the land of exile, under Emperor Michael the Stammerer, Leo's successor. The translation of his holy relics took place under Patriarch Saint Methodius in 847. It is commemorated on March 13.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyr Lucillian (?)
Saint Lucillian suffered martyrdom under Emperor Aurelian. He was a venerable old man, a former pagan priest who lived not far from Nicomedia. He was seized for Christ's faith and brought before Count Silvan. Upon his refusal to renounce Christ and return to his old religion, his jawbone was broken, he was scourged, and he was suspended by the head. Thrown into prison, he met four children who were held there for the same reason. With them he was brought before the Count again. Persevering in their faith, they were thrown together into a fiery furnace. They came out of it unharmed, a miraculous rain having put out the fire. The Count pronounced their death sentence and ordered them to be led to Byzantium where the children were beheaded and Saint Lucillian was crucified.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our Father among the Saints Metrophanes,
Bishop of Constantinople (+314)Saint Metrophanes was the Bishop of Byzantium around 306 or 307. He died on June 4, 314. According to some, he would have been Bishop of Byzantium in 320, and would have sent a representative to the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325, his old age having prevented him from attending in person. In any case it is necessary to point out that the Triadikos Canons in the Oktoechos which bear Metrophanes' name are by another Metrophanes, the Bishop of Smyrna, who lived around the middle of the Ninth century at the time of Patriarch Photius.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Dorotheos,
Bishop of Tyre (?)At the age of one hundred and seven years old, Saint Dorotheos, the Bishop of Tyre, was put to death by the idolaters under Julian the Apostate in 362, in Odyssopolis of Thrace (Varna today). According to some, he was put to death in Edessa in Mesopotamia. He possessed astonishing knowledge and understood Latin. Wrongly attributed to him is a childish compilation "Concerning the Prophets, Apostles, and the Seventy Disciples," more commonly known under the title of: "Synopsis of Dorotheos," as well as the "Succession of Byzantium's Bishops" composed by some ill-disposed forgers to prove that the see of Byzantium is more ancient than that of Rome.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our venerable Fathers Bessarion the Wonderworker
(end of the Fifth century), and Hilarion the Younger,
Hegumen of the Monastery of Dalmaton (ca. 776-845)A disciple of Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Saint Bessarion lived in Egypt and died around the end of the Fifth century.
Saint Hilarion was born around 776. He was the son of Peter of Cappadocia and Theodosia. His pious parents were known by Emperor Leo IV the Khazar, his father being the bread supplier at the imperial table. According to the Evangelical counsel, at twenty years of age he left his father, mother, home, and possessions, and entered the monastery of Xerokopios in Byzantium. He then went to the monastery of Dalmaton, where he received the Great Angelic Habit and priestly ordination. Upon the hegumen's death, Emperor Nicephoros I Logothetus (802-811) as well as the Patriarch of Constantinople designated him to succeed him. He ruled Christ's flock with divine virtue for eight years. When the savage Leo the Armenian seized the imperial scepter and undertook to destroy the Holy Icons, the Saint was led to the imperial palace and called upon in vain to reject the Holy Icons. The Emperor sent him to the monastery of Phoneus near Detroit, where he kept him for six months. Then he had him shut up and maltreated in the monastery of Cyclobium. After two years and six months, he was sent to a military prison from which he withdrew him to exile him to the fortress of Protilion, after a cruel beating. Under Michael the Stammerer, becoming Emperor in 820, the Saint was freed and sheltered by a pious woman who served him for seven years. Emperor Theophilos again arrested all confessors of the faith in order to imprison them. After having received one hundred and seventeen whip lashes on his back, Saint Hilarion was exiled for eight years to the island of Aphousia. Upon Theophilos' death in 842, Empress Theodora called all the exiled confessors together in the capital in 843 and confirmed Orthodoxy by the exaltation and veneration of the Holy Icons. Set free, the Saint returned to his monastery where he died three years later in 845 or 846.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Theodotos,
Bishop of Ancyra (+303)Before Prefect Theoteknon, Saint Theodore was accused of searching for and burying the bodies of holy virgin martyrs who had been hurled into the lake at Ancyra in Galatia. Brought before the Prefect, he confessed that he was a Christian, and affirmed that owing to Christ's might he as a private individual was stronger than all emperors and that he did not in the least fear governors. He was then cruelly beaten, twice suspended in a tree, and his body was opened by wounds. He consummated his martyrdom in 303, under Emperor Diocletian.
Fifth Class Feast.
Translation of the relics of the holy Great martyr Theodore of Tyre, the Leader of Armies (before the Fifth century)
The body of Saint Theodore was transferred from Amasea, a city of Pontus, to the city of Euchaita at an uncertain date before the Fifth century. Saint Theodore himself is commemorated on February 8.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our Father among the Saints Cyril,
Archbishop of Alexandria (+444)Through his mother Saint Cyril was a nephew of Theophilos, the Archbishop of Alexandria. Theophilos looked after his education from his youth. Cyril succeeded him in his see in 412. He courageously opposed Nestorius, the Archbishop of Constantinople who, with his priest Anastasius, advocated a doctrine injurious to the Holy Theotokos. Nestorius said: "Mary cannot be called Theotokos, because Mary is a human creature and it is impossible for God to be born of a human creature." Cyril attended the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus held in 431, under Emperor Theodosius the Younger. He presided over it in the name of Pope Saint Celestine I, the Bishop of Rome. He covered Nestorius, the blasphemer of the Theotokos, with shame by his indisputable arguments and refuted his doctrine. Deposed from his throne in the month of August of the same year by Nestorian intrigues, he remounted it shortly afterwards in the month of October. After having governed Christ's Church for thirty-two years, he died in 444, leaving numerous valuable works, commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, dogmatical treatises on the Christian faith, demonstrations of the truth, and refutations of heresies.
Fifth Class Feast.
June 10
Memory of the holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina (313)
The holy Hieromartyr Timothy, Archbishop of Brusa (+under Julian the Apostate, 362-363)
The holy martyrs Alexander and Antonina suffered for the faith in Constantinople in 313, under Emperor Maximian and President Festus. Saint Antonina was condemned to be relegated to a place of debauchery. Saint Alexander was able to provide her with other clothes and to facilitate her escape by taking her place. Both of them were seized. Their hands were cut off and they were thrown into a fire.
The holy hieromartyr Timothy suffered under Emperor Julian the Apostate around 362-363.
Fifth Class Feast.
June 11
Memory of the holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas (First century)
According to a good number of scholars, Bartholomew (the son of Talmai), is to be identified with Nathaneal. Consequently, his complete name would be Nathaneal the son of Talmai. He was one of the Twelve Apostles and a native of Gelilean. According to the data of the Gospel, that is all that can be affirmed for certain regarding him.
Saint Barnabas was a Levite and a native of Cyprus. At first called Joseph, he was surnamed Barnabas, that is "Son of Consolation" or "Son of Exhortation," no doubt in order to distinguish him from another Joseph called Barsabbas and surnamed Justus. The Acts tell that Saint Barnabas had a field which he sold and brought the proceeds and laid it at the Apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37). A preacher of the Gospel in many places and a traveling companion and intimate friend of Saint Paul according to the Testimony of tradition, he was stoned to death in his native land. In 488, under Emperor Zeno, his holy body was said to have been discovered with the Gospel of Saint Matthew in Greek upon his chest. The precious discovery was offered to Emperor Zeno. Owing to this fact the Archbishop of Constantia, Cyprus, has the privilege to be autocephalous, to wear a red silk cloak, to hold a scepter instead of a pastoral staff, to sign his signature in red characters, and to be called by the name of Beatitude.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our venerable Fathers Onuphrius
(Fourth-Fifth century) and
Peter of Mount Athos (+890)A native of Egypt, Saint Onuphrius lived in a coenobium in Hermopolis of Thebes around the Fourth or Fifth century. Having heard the story of the lives of the prophet Elia and Saint John the Baptist, he left the coenobium and settled in the desert. He remained there sixty years without seeing a man. A monk named Paphnutios met him on a trip which he had undertaken into the depths of the desert to receive the blessing of the holy anchorites. He sat down next to him and begged him to tell him his name and the story of his life. Saint Onuphrios complied with his wish. Later Paphnutios gave an account of it to the monks of Skete, as well as to many others whom he had met during his journey across the desert. Saint Onuphrius died in Saint Paphnutios' presence. Saint Paphnutios divided his cloak in two parts. With one part he covered the Saint's nude body which was only protected by his white hair.
Saint Peter lived in the Ninth century. A soldier of the imperial guard, he resolved to become a monk. During an expedition in Syria, where various imperial armies were brought into action, it happened that the Roman soldiers, upon seeing the barbarians stronger than they, turned their backs on the enemy. A great number of soldiers were taken prisoner. Among them was Peter, who was sent to a fortress called Samaran and, as the spoils of war, was delivered over to a chief of the victorious armies in 838. When he was freed he went to Rome where he received monastic tonsure from the hands of the Pope at that time, perhaps Gregory IV (827-844). Then he left Rome in peace and set sail for the East. Carried off course by a storm, he was thrown at the foot of Mount Athos. For fifty-three years he led the hermitic life there, without ever seeing a man's face. God wishing to manifest him to men, had a hunter come to the place where the Saint led his angelic life. The hermit greeted, reassured, and related to him all that had happened to him. The hunter returned home. Then he took two monks and his brother with him and made his way toward the grotto. They arrived there very quickly, but found the blessed one already dead (around 890). His holy body was carried to the monastery of Clement, then to the market town of Phokomia, on the borders of Thrace.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyr Aquilina (+293)
Our Father among the Saints Triphyllios,
Bishop of Leucosia in Cyprus (Fourth century)Saint Aquilina suffered for the faith in Byblus, First Phoenicia, under Emperor Maximin in 293.
Saint Triphyllios was a native of Cyprus. Before becoming the herald of the Christian faith, he had studied law in the famous school of Beirut, Phoenicia. A deacon of Saint Spiridon, the Bishop of Tremithus, he was named Bishop of Ledrae in Cyprus, also called Leucopolis or Leucosia. He attended the Synod of Sardica in 343. He was considered as one of the greatest rhetors of his country. He wrote a good number of works which unfortunately have not come down to us.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Prophet Elisae (Ninth century B.C.)
Our Father among the Saints Methodius the Confessor,
Archbishop of Constantinople (+847)The prophet Elisae, Saphat's son, was a simple peasant from the city of Abel-Mehula in the land of Manasse. During Josaphat's reign in Israel (873-849), on God's order the prophet Elia called him to continue his work. Elisae bid farewell to his parents and followed Elia. He served the prophet until his assumption into heaven. Having inherited his master's mantle and double his spirit, he showed by his wonderful works that he had been his master's disciple. He prophesied until Joas' reign over Israel (801-786). He died in old age and was buried in Samaria.
Saint Methodius was born of noble and rich parents in Syracuse, Sicily, around the end of the Eighth century. He entered the monastery of Klenolak, on the Propontis. He later became hegumen of this monastery. He was sent to Rome as an ambassador, no doubt to plead the cause of Saint Nicephoros of Constantinople who had been exiled by Leo the Armenian. He only returned to Constantinople after Leo's death in 820. An ardent defender of the Holy Icons, he was immediately exiled to the island of Saint Andrew, near Acritas in Bithynia (present day Touzla) by Michael the Stammerer. He was thrown into a prison as dark as a tomb. A poor fisherman was charged with his upkeep. Upon Michael's death in 829, the Saint's high culture gained for him the friendship of Emperor Theophilos, even though he was an Iconoclast. When the Church had recovered its liberty under Empress Theodora, the Saint was appointed to the see of Constantinople in 843, which he firmly administered for four years. He died of dropsy on June 14, 847, leaving numerous works.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Prophet Amos (Eighth century B.C.)
Amos was born in Thecua in Juda. A private individual, a guardian of sheep and goats, he prophesied under Jeroboam II, King of Israel (783-743), and Ozia, King of Juda (769-738). He is the third of the Minor Prophets.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our holy Father and Wonderworker Tychon,
Bishop of Amathus in Cyprus
(+under Theodosius the Younger, 408-450)It is believed that Saint Tychon lived under Emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450). His life has been transmitted to us by his compatriot from Cyprus, Saint John the Almsgiver, who composed it according to the local traditions of his native country. His pious parents had consecrated him to God in his infancy. He was instructed in the Sacred Scriptures and he meditated upon them at length. Ordained a deacon by Mnemonius, the Bishop of Amathus, he succeeded him on the throne by Saint Epiphanios' appointment. He converted a great number of pagans to Christ's faith. He destroyed their idols and temples. He died in peace having worked numerous miracles during his life and continuing to do so after his death.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael (?)
These three brother-martyrs were natives of Persia. Their father was the leader of the Magi but their mother was a fervent Christian. They learned the true faith and Holy Scriptures from a holy priest named Eunician. They were sent by Sapor II, the King of Persia, to Julian the Apostate to negotiate a peace. At Chalcedon they saw the Emperor and a great number of his followers sacrifice to idols in the temple called Trigone. They were greatly grieved by it and their piety made them ask Christ to guard them in His faith and not allow them to be shaken by pagan errors. Accused before the Emperor, they were cruelly scourged, their bones were pierced, and their sides were burned with flaming torches... They consumated their martyrdom by the sword in Chalcedon.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyr Leontios
(+under Vespasian, 69-79)Saint Leontios suffered for the faith in Tripolis, First Phoenicia, under Emperor Vespasian (69-79). It is related that being an army general, he had been denounced as a Christian before Adrian, the Governor of Phoenicia, who sent a tribune named Hypatios and two soldiers to seize him, one of whom was named Theodulos. Favored by a celestial vision, Hypatios and Theodulos believed in Christ and received holy baptism. Advised of what had happened, the governor had them beheaded after having them submitted to many tortures. As for Saint Leontios, he died beating in the midst of the tortures.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Apostle Jude (First century)
Without doubt Saint Jude was a native Galilean as were the other Apostles. He is called by Saint Luke (Luke 6:16), Jude of James, that it, Jude the brother of Saint James the Less. Saint Matthew (Matthew 10:3) names him, Lebbaios surnamed Thaddeus. He was a relative of the Lord according to the flesh. He is the author of the last of the Catholic Epistles. His epistle was addressed to the Judeo-Christians of the Diaspora after the capture of Jerusalem by Vespasian.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Methodius,
Bishop of Olympus (+311-312)For his extensive knowledge and imminent virtue Saint Methodius was called the "Good Counsellor." He was concurrently Bishop of Olympus and Patara in Lycia, then he was transferred to the see of Tyre. He died a martyr in Chalcis in Coelesyria under Emperor Maximian around 311-312. He left many writings. The best known and the most beautiful is without contradictions, "The Banquet" or "On Virginity."
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus (?)
A native of Cilicia, Saint Julian suffered for the faith in an unknown place and at a date which can not be exactly determined. Led before President Marcian, he was exposed to the beasts. Then for an entire year he was ignominiously dragged throughout the whole of Cilicia. Not having succeeded in making him sacrifice to idols, the President ordered that he be enclosed in a sack filled with sand and thrown into the sea. The Saint thus received the crown of martyrdom. Saint John Chrysostom gave his panegyric.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Eusebius of Samosata
(379-380)Toward the end of the reign of the Arian Emperor Constantius, Constantine the Great's son, Saint Eusebius in 361 became the Bishop of Samosata near the Euphrates River. Having been transferred to Constantinople in 360, Eudoxius of Antioch gathered a synod in the Emperor's presence which transferred Saint Meletios, the old Bishop of Sebastea, from Beroea to the see of Antioch. The new bishop at first abstained from speaking on dogmatic questions, contenting himself to offer moral teaching to his listeners. Then he firmly sided with the faith of Nicaea and taught the Homoousios. Informed of this fact, the Emperor condemned him to exile and threatened to cut off Saint Eusebius' right hand if he did not hand over Saint Meletios' election document which he held in his possession. Eusebius held out both hands at once and said that he willingly preferred to see them cut off rather than hand over the asked for document and thus betray Orthodoxy by it. In 370, he participated in the election of Saint Basil the Great to the see of Caesarea. Eusebius always manifested a fond friendship for Saint Basil the Great. The Arian Emperor Valens, the successor of Constantius and Julian, deposed him in 374 and exiled him to Thrace near the Istra River. Having learned of the shortage of pastors which many churches were suffering, disguised as a soldier and wearing a tiara, he traveled through Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine, ordaining everywhere priests and deacons, providing for the needs of the Church and placing Orthodox bishops whom he met at the head of vacant Churches. After Valens' death, the very pious Emperor Theodosius gave him back his see in 378. He consecrated a great number of Orthodox bishops. The last one that he consecrated was Maris, the Bishop of Doliche. Upon entering the city, an Arian fanatic threw a brick at him from a high terrace. It shattered his skull and soon sent him to a better life in 379-380. In dying, the Saint made his friends promise with an oath that no punishment would be inflicted upon his murderer.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the holy Martyr Agrippina
(+under Valerian, 253-260)It is believed that Saint Agrippina suffered martyrdom in Rome under Emperor Valerian (253-260). A native of Rome itself, she was converted to Christ in her tender childhood, perfuming the spirit of the faithful as a garden or a rose with sweet odors. Adorned in her innocence and virginity, betrothed forever to Christ, she courageously proceeded to martyrdom, and for the love of her Christ suffered many cruel tortures..., among which she consumated her martyrdom.
Fifth Class Feast.
The Nativity of the Honored and Glorious Prophet,
Precursor and Baptist JohnThe feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist with that of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29), is the first feast of a New Testament personage which is not attendant upon a great feast of the Lord. Furthermore it must be remarked that it is directly in keeping with the feast of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, which separates it by six months, day for day, according to the Roman calendar: eight days from the calends of July (June 24). In the East this feast was originally fixed on June 25, as evidenced by the calendar of the Melkites of Chouarizm, reported by the historian Al-Biruni.
Like the winter solstice, that of the summer was an occasion of great rejoicing among the pagans. Just as the feast of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in the Christian calendar became the feast of the rising Sun, the Lord Jesus who is the Light of the world, thus it is admitted that the feast of John the Baptist was placed at the summer solstice since he himself said of the Lord: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
It is Saint Luke (Luke 1:1-80) who relates the Precursor's birth to us (today's Gospel at the Divine Liturgy). The son of Zachary the priest and Elizabeth the barren, the fruit of the promise by his birth untied his father's mute tongue and "filled the whole world with joy." It is at this time that his father pronounced the immortal canticle in which he sings of the realization of the promise made to Abraham, the deliverance of his people with mercy. It is there that he prophesied to his small son the grandiose role of Precursor for which God destined him, to prepare the way on earth for the Star who comes from above "to put our feet in the good way, in the way of peace."
When very young, John the Baptist went to the desert, perhaps to one of the ascetic communities of the Essenes who lived in the plain of Jordan. It is there that he began to baptize, that is to give the purification ritual to those who repented of their sins upon hearing his fiery word. It is there that he designated to his disciples the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. It was before John that Jesus received the first official witness from the Father and the Holy Spirit: "This is my beloved Son." It was also for his courage to enforce the laws of marriage that he was thrown into prison and beheaded. To "the spouse's friend, who feels the greatest joy at the spouse's voice," and who wished to disappear before him, to this second Isaia, Jesus addresses this eulogy: "What did you go out to the desert to see?...a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet...I say to you, among those born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John" (Luke 7:25-28).
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Precursor, and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Sunday, Gospel of the Precursor. Kinonikon of the Precursor.
Post-festive Day of the Nativity of the Honored and
Glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist JohnMemory of the holy Martyr Febronia
(beginning of the Fourth century)It is believed that Saint Febronia suffered martyrdom in Sibapolis (Nisibis), in Mesopotamia under Emperor Diocletian around the beginning of the Fourth century.
Fifth Class Feast.
Troparia: of the Precursor, of Saint Febronia, and of the Church Patron.
In occurrence with a Sunday: as the Closing Day of the Nativity of the Honored and Glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John takes place at Vespers on the following day, at the Liturgy only the Office of Sunday and of Saint Febronia is taken.
Memory of our venerable Father David of Thessalonica (+530)
A native of Mesopotamia, this blessed man shone amidst the world's darkness as a resplendant star. He established his dwelling among the branches of an almond tree from where, like the enchanter of a twittering bird, he pleased all those who associated with him by his discourses, always elevating his spirit toward celestial heights. He died around 530.
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of our venerable Father Samson the Hospitable (Sixth century)
Saint Samson lived in the times of Emperors Justin and Justinian (527-565). After having satisfied his pious desired by visiting some churches and monasteries, he gave himself to contemplation, taking his delight in reading the Holy Scriptures and conversing alone with God. His reputation reached Patriarch Menas (536-552), who ordained him a priest of his clergy. He became the salutary refuge of the afflicted, of the sick, and of all those who needed help. Expert in medical knowledge, he cured Emperor Justinian from an incurable sickness. Full of admiration and veneration for his virtue, after the troubles of 532 the Emperor built the great and celebrated Refuge. He arranged for Saint Samson to serve as inn-keeper and named him Skevophylax of the Great Church. Situated between the churches of the Holy Wisdom and Saint Irene, Saint Samson's infirmary was burned down for the second time in 563, but was rebuilt. The Saint died there after a holy and good life.
Fifth Class Feast.
Translation of the relics of the holy Wonderworkers and
Unmercenaries Cyrus and John (between 385 and 412)The relics of the holy martyrs Cyrus and John were found in Canopus, Egypt, under Theophilos, the Archbishop of Alexandria (385-412). Their relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark. Under Patriarch Saint Cyril, his successor, the martyrs' relics were transferred to Manoutha, near Canopus, where there was still a temple of the goddess Isis. At the relics' approach the temple collapsed by itself. Manoutha was called "Abou-Kir" by the Arabs, a corruption of "Abba-Kyr." After the ruin of the martyrium, the Saints' relics were carried to Rome and placed near Saint Paul's basilica in an oratory actually called by the people "Oratory of Saint Passera," an astonishing corruption of the word "Abba-Kyr"
Fifth Class Feast.
Memory of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Apostles
and Primates Peter and Paul (+67?)What more beautiful eulogy could be conferred upon these primates of the Apostles than the testimony that the Lord Himself gave them? Jesus said to Peter: "Blessed are you," and "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church," and He called Paul: "A chosen vessel, destined to carry My name before princes and kings." Saint Peter died crucified head downward under Nero in 67. If the tradition is to be believed, Saint Paul also died a martyr, beheaded in Rome under Nero at the same time that Saint Peter was crucified.
Third Class Feast. Typika and Beatitudes. Ordinary Isodikon.
Troparia: of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle and Gospel of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Church Patron. Common Kondakion. Epistle and Gospel of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (those of the Sunday being postponed until July 1). Kinonikon of the Sunday and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and
Most Renowned Twelve ApostlesToday the Church celebrates a general feast in honor of the Twelve Apostles and of all those who, in liturgical language, bear the title of Apostles. Here are the names of the Twelve Apostles: Simon Peter and Andrew his brother, called the First-called: James the son of Zebedee and John the Evangelist his brother, also called the Theologian; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the publican and Evangelist, also called Levi; James the son of Alphous and Jude, also called Lebbaios and Thaddous; Simon the Cananean or the Zealot, and Matthias who was elected successor to the traitor Judas.
Fourth Class Feast. Nevertheless, Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia: of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle and Gospel of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles. Kinonikon of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles.
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection; of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; Gospel of the Sunday. Kinonikon of the Sunday and of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; Gospel of the Sunday. Kinonikon of the Sunday and of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles.