St Emilian the Confessor, Bishop of Cyzicus

Commemorated on August 8

Saint Emilian, Bishop of Cyzikus, lived during the reign of the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820). He was summoned together with other bishops to the court of the emperor, who insistently urged the bishops to refrain from the veneration of holy icons. St Emilian was the first to tell the emperor firmly that the question of the veneration of holy icons ought to be discussed and decided only within the Church by its spiritual leaders, and not at the imperial court. In the year 815 he was sent to prison for the Orthodox Faith, where he died as a confessor.

Troparion - Tone 3

In confessing the Faith you proclaimed Orthodox doctrine
and were unjustly exiled for rebuking the wicked king.
Righteous and glorious Emilian,
the boast of Cyzicus,
entreat Christ God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion - Tone 3

The Church for which you suffered
glorifies you in hymns, O Emilian;
you were a valiant champion of the Trinity,
therefore we honor your memory.
Deliver your servants from all assaults of the enemy.

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