March 6
Reading:
These Martyrs, men of high rank in the Roman (Byzantine) army,
were taken captive when the city of Amorion in Phrygia fell to the
Moslem Arabs in 838, during the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast.
Among them were Aetius and Melissenus, the generals; Theodore, the chief
of the imperial ceremonial bodyguard; Craterus, the eunuch; Callistus,
Constantine, Bassoes, and Theophilius, who were military officials; and
certain others who held important positions. Because of their experience
in war and their virtue, the Moslems did not slay them, but tried by
all means to convert them to Islam and have them to fight in their own
campaigns. They kept the holy Martyrs shut up in a dark dungeon in the
city of Samarra in Syria, threatening and abusing them, making promises
of glorious rank and magnificent riches, keeping them in hunger,
oppression, and darkness, not for a few weeks, or a few months, but for
seven full years. Finally, unable to break the courage and faith of
their captives, they beheaded them in the year 845.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee
received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our
immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down
the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O
Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Ye who contended on earth for Christ's glory, and were shown
forth as godly crown-bearing Martyrs, have been vouchsafed to dwell in
Heaven joyously; for since ye brake all the snares of the enemy's
cunning by your suff'rings and the blood of your tortures and woundings,
ye ever send down freely from on high loosing of sins unto all them
that honour you.
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2013(with 2012's link here also and further, 2011, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!)
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