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INTRODUCTION

This Short Synaxarion contains all the commemorations of Saints and the other feasts and events listed in the Greek Menaion, together with the verses that accompany the entries. It is ’short’ because it does not include the detailed notices which usually follow the verses. Some of these will be found on other pages where the full office for the day is given.

The two line verses are written in iambic trimeters, of a sort, but are translated here into standard English ’iambic’ pentameters. These verses abound in paronomasia on the names of the saints, and these I have indicated by including transcriptions of the relevant Greek words within brackets.

The extra line, that normally accompanies the first, or the principal, entry each day and which mentions the date, forms a heroic hexameter, with frequent use of epic vocabulary and grammatical forms. I have translated them into English hexameters, though without attempting to reproduce the archaising effect of the original language.

The transliteration of proper names is not scientific, or consistent, but in general follows contemporary pronunciation. Latin names have been given in their Latin, not their Greek, form. Stress accents are generally as in modern Greek. Sometimes I use traditional English forms and stresses, as in ’Móses’ or ’Jónas’.

September 1st

On the 1st of the month, Beginning of the Indiction, that is of the New Year.

Verses.
New year’s Indiction bless for us, we pray,
O you, both Ancient and, for mankind, New.

On the same day we commemorate the marvel which took place through the Holy Mother of God in the Monastery of the Miasini; and the fire that took place.

Verses.
Strange was the catch that by itself came up
From harbour’s depth: the Virgin’s honoured image.

On the same day, commemoration of our venerable Father Symeon the Stylite.

Verses.
His pillared station Symeon left behind,
And took his stand beside the Word of God.
High stepping Symeon died on the first of the month of September.

On the same day, commemoration of the Venerable Martha, mother of the Venerable Symeon; and of the Venerable Evanthia; and the falling asleep of Jesus son of Navi.

Verses.
On earth of old once Martha welcomed Christ.
Now Christ in heaven, Martha, welcomes you.

The sun that once he halted left behind,
Now Jesus contemplates the Sun of glory.

On the same day, commemoration of the forty Holy Women Martyrs, Virgins and Ascetics, and of the Deacon Ammoun, their teacher.

Verses.
For virgins double twenty fire and sword
Secured as Bridegroom Christ the Son of God.

A helmet heated in the flames Ammoun received:
Stripped off his covering of flesh with joy.

On the same day, commemoration of the Holy Martyrs, sister and brothers, Evodos, Kallisti and Hermogenes.

Verses.
Fairest [kalliston] indeed the end Kallisti found,
With her two brothers, likewise fair[kalois], cut down.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 2nd

On the 2nd of the month, commemoration of the holy Martyr Mamas.

Verses
Faith in the Trinity was Mamas’ strength [akmaios];
Pierced by a trident’s prongs [akmais], he thus endured.
Mamas’s entrails were spilled by a trident, upon this month’s second.

On the same day, commemoration of our Father among the Saints, John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Verses
No fleeting pleasures those you now enjoy,
Faster from fleeting pleasures, blessed John.

Saint Diomédes, slain by a broad sword, met his end.

Verses
Iron to iron was holy Diomede,
Bravely the blows of broad sword he endured.

Saint Julian, his head smashed by a club, met his end.

Verses
His head crushed by a club, brave Julian,
Mind safe on God, persisted to the end.

Saint Philip met his end by the sword.

Verses
Philip, the sword’s blow like a coursing steed [hippos],
Came to the Lord who loved [philounta] him with all speed.

Saint Eutychianos met his end on a hearth of fire.

Verses
Eutychianós, burned upon a hearth,
Shared in the Martyrs’ happy [eutyches] destiny.

Saint Hesýchios, hanged by a noose, met his end.

Verses
Hesychios for his true Master longed;
And for his sake the noose calmly [hesychos] endures.

Saint Leonídas met his end by fire.

Verses
The flame of love for God, Leonidas,
Led you with ease to bear the flame’s fierce force.

Saint Eutýchios met his end by crucifixion.

Verses
Eutychios, walking in the Lord’s own steps,
Like him endured the passion of a cross.

Saint Philádelphos met his end by having his neck weighted with a stone.

Verses
Philadelphos by weight of stone put off
All weight of flesh and mounted light on high.

Saint Melánippos met his end by fire.

Verses
Melanippos, though something black [melan] once had,
Cleansing he found when cast into the fire.

Saint Parthagápe met her end in the sea.

Verses
O Parthagape, in the sea you die,
And find a sea of precious gifts on high.

On the same day, commemoration of the righteous priests, Eleazar and Phineas; and of the holy Martyrs Aeithalás and Ammoun.

September 3rd

On the 3rd of the same month, Commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr Anthimos, Bishop of Nikomedia.

Verses
Beheaded, Anthimos, your hair still bloomed [antheis]
To God’s great glory, though you were a corpse.
On the third day of the month a sharp sword struck the Martyr and slew him.

On the same day Commemoration of our venerable Father Theóktistos, fellow ascetic of Euthymios the Great.

Verses
You knew God [Theos] the Creator [ktistes] to be yours
And so, before all creatures [ktismata], you chose him.

On the same day Saint Vasílissa, having fought with the wild beasts and remained unharmed, met her end.

Verses
Vasilissa, whom wild beasts fearsome found,
Stands now before the high King’s [pamvasileus] fearsome throne.

On the same day Saint Aristíon, Bishop of Alexandria, met his end by fire.

Verses
As if to breakfast [ariston] to the pyre you ran,
Best [aristos] of Christ’s Martyrs, great Aristion.

On the same day Saint Charíton was thrown into a pit of lime and met his end.

Verses
Plunged in the pit of lime [asbestos] Chariton found
Unquenched [asbestos] the light of an unsullied place.

The holy Martyr Archontíon met his end by starvation.

The holy new martyr Polýdoros, who bore his witness in New Ephesus in 1794, met his end by hanging.

At their intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 4th

On the 4th of the same month Commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr Babýlas, Bishop of Antioch the Great, and of the three holy Youths with him, who met their end by the sword.

Verses
Babylas, who once offered Christ himself,
To Christ is gladly offered through the sword.

Verses for the Three Youths
For their great Master who is God the Word
The youths run fervently towards the sword.
Three holy Youths on the fourth with their Bishop Babylas were slaughtered.

On the same day Saint Babylas, the teacher in Antioch, together with the eighty youths under him, met his end by the sword.

Verses
Your payment for their teaching from the youths,
Godly Babylas, was a common death.

The holy Prophet Moses met his end in peace.

Verses
Not from a rock now, nor the hinder parts,
Moses, you see, but God himself entire.

On the same day, Commemoration of Saint Hermione, one of the daughters of the Apostle Philip.

Verses
To heaven itself, Hermione, you go,
For fitting [hermaios] the salvation that you found.

Saints Theótimos and Theódoulos, public executioners who became believers, met their end by fire.

Verses
Theotimos died with Theodoulos,
A servant’s [doulos] honour [timê] giving to the Lord.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Centurion, Theodore, Amianos and Julian from the village of Kandaulê.

Verses
Fire of God’s love his breath, Centurion
Gladly breathes out his soul upon the fire.

For athletes three the pyre a ladder strange,
By which they climbed to heaven’s broad expanse.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Petronios, Charitinê, Zárbelos (or Sarbelos), Thathouél and Bebaía.

Verses
Bebaia slain and Thathouel as well,
Both found a sure [bebaios] life in the place of false.

Worship profane [bebelos] Zarbelos would not give,
By stones from hands men profane [bebelos] he died.

On the same day, Commemoration of three thousand six hundred and twenty eight Martyrs.

September 5th

On the 5th of the same month, Commemoration of Zachary the Prophet, father of the Forerunner.

Verses
Slaughtered just like a lamb was Zachary
Within the Temple for the Lamb of God;
Zachary then on the fifth on the Temple’s pavement was slaughtered.

On the same day Saint Abdaios met his end, beaten with rods of thorns.

Verses
Martyr Abdaios rods of thorn endures,
Honours his Master who was crowned with thorns.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Medimnos, Urban, Theodore and the eighty Priests and Levites, that is Deacons, with them.

Verses
‘Passing through fire and water, like the Psalm’,
Medimnos says, ‘I reach my final rest’.

With Urban too Theodoros the great
Wins the same contest as Medimnos did.

A tenfold octad of the sanctified
Both fire and water steadfastly endured.

On the same day, Commemoration of Saint Peter in Athera.

September 6th

On the 6th of the same month, the Memorial of the extraordinary wonder by the Archangel Michael that took place at Kolossae,or Chonae, in Phrygia.

Verses
Another Noë, Michael, you appeared
Ending the flood of rivers with a funnel [chonê].
Michael of Angels the chief on the sixth funnelled strong flowing rivers.

On the same day, Contest of the holy Martyrs Eudoxios, Zenon, Romulus and Makarios.

Verses
Zenon, Eudoxios and Romulus were slain,
Makarios as well. Blest [makaristos] in their end!

On the same day, one thousand one hundred and four holy soldiers and Saint Kalodóti met their end by the sword.

Verses
One thousand Martyrs and then ten times ten
With further four together died by sword.

The head of Kalodoti was struck off.
She stands by you, O Word, Giver [doter] of good [kalos].

On the same day, the holy Faustus, the presbyter, Makarios, Andrew, Bibos, the monk, Kyriakós, Dionysios, Andronikos, Andropelagía, Thekla, Theoktistos, the ship’s captain and another Kyriakos, the commoner, met their end by the sword.

Verses
Faustus, by sword leaving the earth behind,
Was raised to radiance [phausis] of the home on high.

Makarios and Andrew, slain by sword,
Both made their journey on the blessed [makarios].

The crown of virtue Bibos now denies,
Unless he takes the crown from off the sword.

A sword with Dionysios slew two
Who were with him of a united mind.

How brave [andrikos] indeed was Andropelagia
In face of execution, as was Thekla.

Captain Theoktistos, his head struck off,
Aims his soul’s ship directly to the sky.

Kyriakos the commoner, once slain,
Now with the choir of Martyrs takes his place.

On the same day there coincided the dedication of the church of the Most Holy Mother of God in the Second District in the house of Saint Eirene.

September 7th

On the 7th of the same month, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Sozon.

Verses
Torments of body Sozon once endured,
Fixed on the only Saviour [sozo] of his soul.
Sozon, his radiant flesh fiercely pounded, died on the seventh.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Apostles Evodos and Onesiphoros.

On the same day, Saint Eupsychios met his end by the sword.

Verses
Eupsychios, courageous [eupsychos] at the sword,
Offers his Fashioner his soul with joy.

On the same day is celebrated the dormition of the Venerable Loukás of the Eparchy of Lykaonia, third Superior of the Monastery of the Saviour, called ’Of the Deep Torrent’.

September 8th

On the 8th of the same month, the Nativity of our Most Holy Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary.

Verses
Anna, all mothers truly you surpassed,
Until your daughter should become your Mother.
Anna brought into the light on the eighth of this month God’s own Mother.

On the same day, the holy brothers Rufus and Rufianus met their end by the sword.

Verses
Rufianus, bowing beneath the sword,
‘Rufus, I wait. Don’t flinch, but follow me.’

On the same day, Saint Severos met his end by the sword.

Verses
‘Ready I am all torment to endure’,
Severos said, ‘And is the sword for me?’

On the same day, Saint Artemidoros met his end by fire.

Verses
Artemidoros has the strength to leap,
Shows it in deed amid the raging fire.

The holy New Martyr Athanasios bore his witness in Thessaloniki in 1774 and met his end by hanging.

September 9th

On the ninth of the same month, Assembly of the Just Joachim and Anne.

Verses
Let Joachim now with his Wife delight,
Both to creation bearing soul’s delight.
Feast of the parents of her who is Mother of God is the ninth day.

On the same day the holy Martyr Severianos with a stone tied to his feet was hanged in the air from the city wall and met his end.

Verses
Severianos’ torment weight of stones,
Hanged, he rejoiced, tearing his feet from earth.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Theophanes the Confessor, who led the ascetic life before the reign of Diocletian.

On the same day Saint Chariton met his end by the sword.

Verses
Christ’s martyr Chariton, great was your grace [charis],
When for the sake [charin] of Christ your throat was cut.

Commemoration of the Third Holy Ecumenical Council of the two hundred holy Fathers, who were brought together at Ephesus in the reign of Theodosios the Less, and who condemned the impious Nestorios.

September 10th

On the tenth of the same month, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora.

Verses
Menodora, Metrodora thought,
Like Nymphodora, flesh’s torments gifts [dora].
Smitten and died on the tenth were the three, gifts [dora] whose name has the meaning.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Varypsavás.

Verses
Varypsavas for Master’s blood divine
Pours out his own blood, pounded with wooden clubs.

On the same day the holy Empress Pulchería met her end in peace.

Verses
As in the Psalm, Queen Pulcheria took
Her stand at your right hand in truth, my Christ.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Apostles Apelles, Luke and Clement.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Ia.

Verses
Ia, by sword cut down from earth’s deep vales,
A scented violet [ion], Saviour, for you.

September 11th

On the 11th of the same month, Commemoration of our Venerable Mother Theodora of Alexandria.

Verses
Theodora was a male in dress and mind,
And the great mind she shames before the end.
On the eleventh she took her repose at the last Theodora.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Euphrosynos the cook.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Diodoros, Diomedes and Didymos.

Verses
With fellow athletes Diodoros gives
His flesh to scourges; error thus they scourge.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Ia, advanced in years.

Verses
The Martyr Ia [= violet] breathed sweet scent of myrrh,
Sweet smell of blood outpoured and crimson dyed.

Saint Demetrios, his wife Evanthia and their son Demetrianos met their end by starvation.

September 12th

On the twelfth day of the same month, the worship of the holy wood and contest of the holy Bishop and Martyr Autonomos.

Verses
Word, on your altar lay a sacrifice,
Autonomos, your sacrificer, slain by stones.
Autonomos on the twelfth of the month by stones was he slaaughtered.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr Kornoutos, Bishop of Ikonium.

Verses
Disdaining glory in the present life,
Kornoutos by the sword gained that to come.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr Theodore, Bishop of Alexandria.

Verses
His head by sword struck off, Theódoros
Shared in the gifts [doron] of God [theos], whose name he bore.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Julian of Galatia.

Verses
Mingling his contests with ascetic sweat
Double the crowns that Julian received.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs, Makedonios, Tatian and Theodoulos; and commemoration of the Venerable Daniel of Thasios.

On the same day, the holy Martyr Okeanos met his end by fire.

Verses
Okeanos consider a bright sun
Washed in the ocean of a blazing pyre.

September 13th

On the 13th of the same month, Commemoration of the Dedication of the holy [Church of the] Resurrection of our Christ and God.

Verses
New Israel fulfilling ancient law,
Honours your tomb, O Word, with dedication.
Sanctified on the thirteenth was the Temple of Christ’s Resurrection.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Centurion Cornelius.

Verses
Cornelius you lead from unbelief, O Christ,
The firstfruits of the faithful of the nations.

On the same day, Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs Chronidis, Leontius, Serapion, Strato, Selefkos, Macrobius, Gordian, Zotikos, Eli, Lucianus and Valerian.

Our venerable father Peter of Agrea died in peace.

The venerable Hierotheos the New, the Georgian, who flourished in 1720, met his end in peace.

September 14th

On the 14th of the month, the universal Exaltation of the precious and life-giving Cross.

Verses
Seeing the Cross exalted, Saviour, now
Creation exaltation brings with song.
On the fourteenth of the month was the Wood of the Cross high exalted.

On the same day, the Falling Asleep of our Father among the saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. He died on this day, but because of the Feast of the precious Cross, his feast was transferred to the month of November.

Commemoration of the most devout Empress, Plakilla, who became the wife of Theodosios the Great.

Verses
Earth’s fading crown Plakilla left behind,
Unfading crown of glory found in heaven.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Fathers among the saints who assembled in the Holy, Ecumenical Sixth Synod, in the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Bearded, son of Justinian II, called ‘Splitnose’, Sergios being Bishop of Constantinople and Agathon of the Romans. It met in the Domed [Trullos] Hall of the Palace, called ‘Ovatos’ [egg-shaped], and placed under anathema Sergios, Pyrrhus, Peter and Paul, who had been bishops of Constantinople; Makrobios of Antioch, Kyros of Alexandria, Honorius of Rome, Stephen and Polychronios and their followers. This Holy Synod was assembled under the aforementioned Emperor, Constantine the Bearded, but the publication of its Canons took place under his son, Justinian.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Pappas.

Verses
Pappas was shamed to groan at tortures’ blows,
For he had God as helper by his side.

On the same day, the holy Martyr Theokles met his end by the sword.

Verses
Theokles reached his place on high in heaven,
Having as chariot the sword’s swift blow.

On the same day, the holy infant Valerianos met his end by the sword.

Verses
To small Valerian the great God gave
As his reward a great big crown in heaven.

The holy new Monk and Martyr Makarios, who was the disciple of Patriarch Niphon of Constantinople, bore his witness in Thessaloniki in 1527 and met his end by the sword.

September 15th

On the 15th of the same month, Contest of the holy Great Martyr Nikitas.

Verses
You burn, Nikitas, and bear off the victory,
Or rather Fire-bearer is Victory-bearer.
Into the furnace of flame was Nikitas cast on the fifteenth.

On the same day, commemoration of our venerable Father Philotheos, Presbyter and wonderworker.

Verses
Philotheos who lived as God’s [theou] good friend [philos]
Has found unending life with God’s good friends.

On the same day commemoration of St Porphyrios, one of the Actors.

Verses
Urged to mock Baptism, you error mock,
You cleanse yourself, Porphyrios, and are slain.

On the same day the Finding of the relics of Saint Akakios, Bishop of Melitini.

Verses
The Finding of your relics as we praise,
Release from ills [kaka] Akakios may we find.

On the same day the holy Martyr Maximos met his end by the sword.

Verses
Seeing Christ stretching out to you a crown,
You stretch your head out Maximos to sword.

On the same day, two holy Maidens met their end by the sword.

Verses
Having but one intent and one desire,
Two maidens bowed their necks before the sword.

On the same day, Finding of the relics of the holy Protomartyr Stephen.

Verses
Saint Stephen’s finding all creation shares,
He the first champion of the greatest God.

Our father among the saints Bessarion, archbishop of Larissa, met his end in peace.

The venerable Gerasimos, founder of the monastery of the Holy Trinity, known as Sourvia, which is near Makrynitsa of Zagora, met his end in peace.

The holy new martyr, John the Cretan, bore his witness in New Ephesus in 1811 and met his end by the sword.

September 16th

On the 16th of the same month, commemoration of the Holy and all-praised Great Martyr Euphemia.

Verses
Slain by a bear’s fangs for the sake of God,
With praises [euphemiais] Euphemia you should be crowned.
On the sixteenth of the month by a bear Euphemia was slaughtered.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Melitini.

Verses
Her head struck off by sword, Melitini
Offered her blood to Christ as honey [meli] sweet.

September 17th

On the 17th of the month, Commemoration of the holy and triumphant Virgin Martyrs, Faith, Hope and Love, and of their mother Sophia.

Verses
With faith in you, O Trinity, the three,
Faith, Hope and Love, bowed necks unto the sword.
On the seventeenth day of the month, Faith, Hope, Love, the three sisters, they slaughtered.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Agathokleía.

Verses
Agathokleia bears fire on her neck,
Dread error’s dread and haughty neck she burns.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Maximos, Theodótos and Asklepiodóti.

Verses
For two young men and for one woman there
Was for the sword’s fell stroke one warmth of heart.

On the same day, Commemoration of Saint Lucy and of her son, the Martyr Geminianus.

Verses
In peace, O Christ, your servant Lucy passed
Over in truth unto a place of peace.

Geminianus, Martyr, valorous,
Bravely endured the penalty of sword.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Theodoti.

Verses
God given [theosdotos] grace makes Theodoti now
Fervent and keenly eager for the sword.

On the same day, Commemoration of one hundred holy Martyrs.

Verses
Egyptian Martyrs ten times ten with one
Impassioned eagerness have heads cut off.

For Saints Peleus and Neilos, the Bishops
Verses.
Where in a word was Peleus to Peleus?
With Neilos entering the midst of fire?

For the fifty Martyrs of Palestine.
Verses.
From noble counsel men of godly mind
From noble daring now despise the fire.

For Saints Patermouthios and Elias.
Verses.
In furnace falling Patermouthios
To equal zeal now spurs Elias on.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Charalampes, Pantoleon and their companions. Their assembly is held in their martyr shrine, the one in the Second District.

Verses
For slaughter Charalampes joyful [chairon] was,
And Pantoleon to the sword a lion [leon].

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Bishops and Martyrs Herakleides and Myron, bishops of Tamasos in Cyprus.

Verses
Myron and Herakleides on a pyre
Were placed, and brought to Christ as fragrant myrrh [myron].

September 18th

On the 18th of the month, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Evmenios, bishop of Gortyna.

Verses
Gortyna’s gentle eye, Evmenios,
Has looked upon the Lord’s all-kindly [panevmenes] eye.
On the the eighteenth of the month died Evmenios, noble, great hearted.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy women Martyrs Sophia and Irene.

Verses
Sophia and Irene, heads cut off,
Saw you, O Word, the peace [eirene] beyond the mind.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Ariadne.

Verses
A rock, rent open, Ariadne saves,
For Christ the rock of life protected her.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyr Castor.

Verses
No wild beast Castor [= a beaver], but a noble man [aner],
Or truth to tell, a statue [andrias] under torture.

September 19th

On the 19th of the Month, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Trophimos, Sabbatios and Dorymedon

Verses
Dorymedon and Trophimos you breathed
As one, one death accepted from the sword.

Rasped with sharp iron Sabbatios attains
As Martyr to the Sabbath rest of God.
Trophimos on the nineteenth with two fellow athletes they slaughtered.

September 20th

On the 20th of the month, Commemoration of the holy Great Martyr Eustathios [Eustace], his wife Theopisti and their two sons, Agapios and Theopistos.

Verses
Efstathios with his race a bronze ox burns,
And you, O Word of God, the whole race save.
On the eighteenth with his wife and his sons he was burned in a bronze ox.

On the same day, Commemoration of our holy Fathers and Confessors, Hypatios, the bishop, and Andrew, the presbyter.

Verses
Hypatios for holy icons’ sake
With Andrew men of bloodshed put to death.

On the same day, Commemoration of Saints Martin, Pope of Rome, Maximos and their companions.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Artemidoros and Thalos.

Verses
A sword slays Thalos and Artemidore,
Who did not worship savage Artemis.

On the same day, Commemoration of our venerable Father Meletios, bishop of Cyprus.

Verses
Life’s passing gave Meletios no care [melei].
‘How could I say: Why die? For I have loved’.

And Commemoration the greatest among the Confessors, John the Egyptian.

The lawless Maximianos, unable to endure his boldness, ordered him to be made away with along with forty others.

The holy new Monk and Martyr Hilarion the Cretan was martyred in Constantinople in 1804 and attained perfection by the sword.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 21st

On the 21st of the month, commemoration of the holy Apostle Quadratus in Magnesia.

Verses
Holy Quadratus fools assailed with stones,
because to stones he would not honour pay.
On twenty first of the month won a crown for his contests Quadratus.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Prophet Jonas.

Verses
Of old you fled far from the face of God,
Now Jonas 'tis his face that you behold.

On the same day, commemoration of our Venerable Father Savvas the Sabbaite.

Verses
Place of unstable life once Jonas left,
now finds a place both stable and most sure.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Eusebios.

Verses
The godless [dyssebeis] slay Eusebios with sword;
he lived devoutly [eusebos] and was Christ’s true friend.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs and blood brothers, Eusebios, Nestabos and Zeno.

Verses
Zeno, Eusebios, and Néstabos,
die by the sword for sake of the true [eusebes] faith.

On the same day, commemoration of our holy Fathers and Bishops of Cyprus, Meletios and Isaakios.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Priscus.

Verses
Bearing the living water in his heart,
Priscus feared not the burning of the flesh.

On the same day, commemoration of the six holy Martyrs, armour-bearers of Maximianos.

Verses
For God who bowed his head upon the Tree,
Six Martyrs bowed their heads beneath the sword.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 23rd

On the 23rd of the month, the Conception of the holy, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John.

Verses
Archangel’s message to a Prophet was:
Prophet you will beget and more than that.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Martyrs Andrew, John, Peter and Antony, who attained perfection in Africa.

Verses
For the Word’s sake, of old pierced with one lance,
Andrew endured being pierced by lances twain.

Error John made his foe and being slain
Slaughtered the foe and with him error too.

Peter and Antony like solid rocks [petrai]
Stoutly endured their rending limb from limb.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Virgin Martyr Raïs.

Verses
Longing to see God’s beauty Raïs gave
The beauty of her flesh up to the sword.

On the same day, Commemoration of the Venerable women Xanthippe and Polyxena, sisters by blood.

Verses
To be their fellows Angel choirs now take
Xanthippe and Polyxena her kin.

On the same day the holy new martyr Nicolas the Grocer, who was martyred in Constantinople in 1672 and died by the sword.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 24th

On the 24th of the month, Commemoration of the Holy Great Martyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla.

Verses
He saved you, Thekla, when he rent the rock,
He at whose passion once the rocks were rent.
‘Twas on the twenty fourth day that a rock enfolded great Thekla.

On the same day, Commemoration of our venerable Father Coprios.

Verses
No dung was Copris [dung], but another bunch
Of grapes that brought fair blossom to the Lord.

Commemoration of the miracle that took place through the Mother of God on the island of Cythera, where the icon of the Mother of God found in the myrtles cured a paralytic.

At their holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

September 25th

On the 5th of the month, commemoration of our venerable Mother Efrosyne, daughter of Paphnutios the Egyptian.

Verses
You hide your womanhood in male attire.
And see the Master who in secret sees.
And on the twenty fifth day Efrosyne attained her life’s ending.

For the venerable Paphnutios, her father.

Verses
Closing his eyes to flesh, Paphnutios
In spirit lives and a great light beholds.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Paphnutios.

Verses
Friends of this world Paphnutios Crucify,
Who to the whole world had been crucified.

On the same day, commemoration of the great earthquake, during which a boy was snatched up into the air [and to whom the Orthodox Trisagion was revealed by the Archangels].

Verses
Lifted on high a boy proclaims below
The song thrice-holy that the Angels sing.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs Paul, Tatta, and their children, Savianos, Maximus, Rufus and Evgenios.

Verses
Paul with his sons his witness bears, with whom
Tatta you rank [tatto]yourself with prudent mind.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

September 26th

On the 26th of the month, the Translation of the holy, glorious Apostle and Evangelist, bosom friend, virgin, beloved, John the Theologian.

Verses
You stand beside the Father’s well loved Word ,
Than all of the Disciples more well loved.
Passed on the twenty fourth day unto God the child of the thunder.

At his holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

September 27th

On the 27th of the month, commemoration of the holy Martyr Kallistratos and his forty nine fellow Martyrs.

Verses
Kallistratos, his head cut off by sword,
To the triumphant [kallinikos] martyr host [stratos] was joined.

For the forty nine holy Martyrs
Ten times four Martyrs, joined with nine, through sword
In honoured contest fought a noble fight.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Epicharis.

Verses
Brave was Epicharis before the sword,
Richly endowed with aid: the grace [charis] of God.

On the same day, commemoration of our venerable Father Ignatios, who was abbot of the monastery of Christ the Saviour, which is known as ’Deep Torrent’.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Apostles Mark, Aristarchos and Zeno.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs Bishop Philemon, Fortunatus and the holy Martyr Gaïana.

Verses
Gaïana, give your back to burning flame,
That you may flee the back of sword of flame.

On the same day, commemoration of the fifteen holy Martyrs who, thrown into a boat that was set alight, drowned in the sea.

Verses
A company of athletes, five times three,
Descended to the bottom of the sea.

The holy Martyr Aquilina was battered with rods and died.

At their holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

September 28th

On the 28th day of the month, commemoration of our venerable Father and Confessor Chariton.

Verses
All earth’s delights Chariton trampled down,
In heaven’s graces now he takes delight.
Twenty and eight was the day when Chariton died in his old age.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Prophet Baruch.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs and blood brothers Alexander, Alpheios and Zosimas; and of the holy Martyr Mark the shepherd; and of the holy Martyrs Nikon, Neon, Heliodoros, and the rest of the virgins and children.

Verses
Down into earth went holy martyrs three,
From there went out into a dew divine.

A shepherd Markos was, whom the sword slew,
Shepherd of sheep, as Scripture’s Abel was.

Heliodoros, Nikon, Neon too,
Victories [nikê] new [nea] by sword against Christ’s foes.

Ten thousand children slain and women too,
O God, and Child of woman, now receive.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Eustathios the Roman.

Verses
Roman he is, but stalwart [romaleos] is he too,
Martyr Eusathios struggling against sword.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Alexander and his thirty companions, martyrs.

Verses
The thirty martyrs when they were cut down
Had Alexander as their chief in death.

At their holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

September 29th

On the 29th of the month, commemoration of our venerable Father Kyriakos the Anchorite.

Verses
By bitter squills, Kyriakos, you quelled
Sweet food, by which you were condemned to die.
Squill-eating Kyriakos on the twenty ninth day made his ending.

On the same day, commemoration of the one hundred and fifty Martyrs of Palestine; and of the holy Martyrs Tryphon, Trophimos and Dorymedes; and of the holy Martyr Petronia.

Verses
Petronia, bowing head beneath the sword,
You fix your soul’s eye upon God your rock [petra].

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyr Goudelia.

Verses
To you, O Christ, who are the head of all,
Goudelia brought her head, struck off by sword.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs Kasdoos and Kasdoa.

Verses
Kasdoos and Kasdoa fought as one,
He slain by blade, while she was crushed by wood.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Martyrs Dada, and Gobdelaas, son of Savorios, king of the Persians.

Verses
Your body hacked in pieces limb by limb,
You save your spirit, Dada martyr brave.

Gobdelaas is pierced by reeds and dies,
Honouring Christ, my Saviour, struck by reed.

At their holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

September 30th

On the 30th of the same month, commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr Gregory of Great Armenia.

Verses
Knowing the saying, Watch [gregoreite], of God the Word,
You, Father, at God’s call, watchful [gregoron] appeared.
Gregory died on the thirtieth day in Armenia Magna.

On the same day, commemoration of the holy Ripsimia, Gaïani, and 32 other holy women Ascetics, Martyrs and Virgins.

Verses
Ripsimia by blows was no way pained,
Counting against them garlands numberless.

Ascetic life crowned Gaïani once,
The contest by the sword now crowns her too.

Trinity, thrice ten Martyrs honour you,
Dying with two, for your sake, by the sword.

On the same day, commemoration of the seventy holy Martyrs, who were massacred along with Ripsimia, and commemoration of the two holy Women Ascetics.

Verses
Seventy were the men who died by sword,
Ready to die, if needed, many times.

Nourished by virtues, now are women twain
Adorned when cut down by the contest’s sword.

On the same day, commemoration of the Martyr Stratonikos.

Verses
Stratonikos, by dying through the sword,
Conquers [nika] alone the demon host [strateuma] entire.

On the same day the holy Martyr Mardonios, having received burning coals on his navel, met his end.

Verses
Mardonios, your passion’s mark you bear,
Bearing the stamp of burning on your navel.

On the same day, one thousand holy Martyrs met their by the sword.

Verses
One thousand as a regiment were slain,
A prize they found, unnumbered victor’s crowns.

At their holy intercessions, O God have mercy upon us. Amen.

All texts and translations on this page are copyright to
Archimandrite Ephrem ©

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This page was last updated on 10 February 2001