he Pontiff St. John the Chrysostom is one of the most prominent and gracious Fathers of the Universal Church. He was born in Antioch, in 347 AD. He has studied in the Theological School of Antioch and has advanced his skills in rhetoric art in the School of Libanios. Since the young age he has led an ascetic life. In 381 AD he has been ordained as deacon by Meletios of Antioch and in 386 he has been ordained as priest by Flavianos. Thanks to his brilliant and eloquent speeches and sermons he has deserved the title “Chrysostom”.

In 398 AD he is elected the Patriarch of Constantinople against his will and zealously initiates renovation and reconstruction works of the capital city, which was far from the Christian mode of life and lived immoral life full of conflicts and disputes. Amorality and religious indifference were dominant among the people, the court and the clergy. St. John the Chrysostom condemns and criticizes all forms and manifestations of amorality and for criticism he raises the Queen Eudoxia’s anger. The Patriarch Theophilos of Alexandria also, who wished to become the Patriarch of Constantinople, also stands against St. John the Chrysostom. Basing on groundless slander and calumny by the ecclesiastical council held in 403 AD., an order is issued to exile the saint. However, during the night of exile such terrible earthquake and fires happen that the Queen calls the Patriarch back to his residence. St. John the Chrysostom continues to criticize the wrong and immoral mode of life of the court. Ignoring the people’s sympathy towards the Patriarch and the protection of the Western Church, the King Arkadios and the Queen Eudoxia again issue an order to exile the saint.  The saint is exiled to Pontos and is martyred in the town Komana. His last words are: “Glory to You, God, glory to You, glory to You to for everything.” The saint’s remains are buried in the Church of St. Apostles, of Constantinople, in 438 AD.

St. John the Chrysostom is the author of many interpretations, speeches, odes, epistles and letters, which have positively influenced on the history of the Christian mind. His works have been translated into Armenian still during his life.

Priest Anastas (Anastasius) has been martyred during the reign of the Persian King Khosrov II. Anastas was of Persian nationality, born in the town Razhik, his baptismal name was Makoundat. When in 614 AD the Persians take Jerusalem and captivate the Lord’s Holy Cross, Anastas, being a soldier of the Persian Army, witnesses the miracles happening thanks to the Lord’s Cross and is converted to Christianity, Then he goes to Jerusalem, is baptized by the Patriarch Modest and is renamed Anastas. Afterwards Anastas enters the Monastery of St. Saba to serve. With the mission of preaching Anastas goes to Palestinian Caesaria, which then was under the Persian rule, Anastas meets heathen magicians and trying to convert them to Christianity, is imprisoned. The Persian King Khosrov promises to discharge Anastas if he formally renounces Christ in the presence of at least one man, but in response he listens the decisive words of the saint: “I will never renounce my Savior, be it before anybody, obviously or secretly, in words or in mind or even in sleep.” He is taken to Persia, subjected to torments and is beheaded with 70 other Christians in 628 AD. During the reign of the King Herakles (610-641 AD) his remains are transferred to Constantinople and Rome.

Varos (Varus) was a Roman soldier serving in Egypt during the reign of the King Maximinos. When seven hermits are imprisoned and one of them passes away at night, Varos takes the place of the dead man wishing to become a martyr, too For that act the judge, getting angry, subjects Varos to severe torments and kills him.

Theoditeh (Theodota) and her sons have been martyred during the reign of the King Dioklethianos in about 304 AD. Theoditeh was a pious widow living in Macedonia together with her three sons, who were educated and brought up in Christian spirit. A heathen nobleman falls in love with Theoditeh and makes a proposal, but Theoditeh rejects the proposal. For that act Theoditeh’s sons are subjected to torments in the presence of their mother, but they courageously endure the pain and do not renounce their faith. Finally all of them are thrown into the fire and burnt.

The Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross is one of the four feasts dedicated to Christ’s Holy Christ.

In 327 AD Heghineh, the Mother of the Byzantine King Kostandianos, visits Jerusalem with the aim to search the holy Cross of the lord. A Jew, named Judas, helps the King’s mother to search the site where Christ was crucified – Golgotha. In the result of searches the wooden crosses of Christ and the two criminals crucified together with him are found. For recognizing the Lord’s Cross, the remains of a young man are put on the crosses in turn. On one of the crosses the young man rises to life and thus the Lord’s Cross is identified. After that miracle the Jew converts to Christianity and later becomes the Bishop Cyril of Jerusalem. After the discovery of the Holy Cross Heghineh renovates the Holy Places of Jerusalem and builds the Church of Holy Resurrection of Golgotha, where later the Lord’s cross is installed.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross on the Sunday during the period October 23-29.

Commemortaion of the Twelve Archimandrites – Sts. Retheos, Dionisios, Selbestros, Athanas, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephrem Khourie Assyrian, Vasil (Barsegh) of Caesaria, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory the Theoloegian, Epiphan of Cyprus, John Chrysostom and Cyril of Alexandria 

Those Archimandrites (Holy Doctors) or Church Fathers (Hierotheus of Athens, Dionysius of Areopagite, Silverst of Rome, Athanasius of Alexandria, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephraem the Syrian, Barsegh (Vasil) of Caesaria, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory the Theologian, Epiphanius of Cyprus, John Chrysostom and Cyril of Alexandria) have been famous for leading a pious and devote life and are considered to be the Fathers of the Universal Church, respectable interpreters of the Holy Bible and orthodox maintainers of the Christian Faith.

The main goal of the twelve Church Fathers’ activity was maintenance and passing to the coming generations the orthodox faith Heresies and sects and their followers have existed since the existence of Christianity. They have falsely comprehended and interpreted the Word of God, have set forth and developed false and misleading teachings related to the fundamental principles of Christianity. In contrast to them, the twelve Church Fathers, comprehending the divine revelation in the whole, have provided the true interpretation of the doctrinal key points and principles and have developed ecclesiastical theology.
The role of the twelve Church Fathers is at present especially important for our society, where various false interpreters of the Holy Bible have intruded.

St. Aret and his companions (Sts. Kharityans) had Habesh nationality and lived in the town Nehran of Ethiopia. In the sixth century BC the Jews had become very powerful in Ethiopia.  The King of the town Eudemona, Du Novas attacks the town Nehran with the purpose of converting the population to Judaism. Occupying the city by means of fraud, he orders to burn the clergy, the monks and the nuns over the fire and to put the governor of the city – Aret and the rich and influential citizens into prison. During the interrogation Du Novas demands them to renounce Christ. However, the citizens and their 95-year-old governor refuse saying, “We won’t renounce Christ, as He is life for us, and death for the sake of Christ is gain,” and are subjected to torments.

After a few years the Christian king Yelesbovam wins Du Novas and proclaims Christianity as the state religion of Ethiopia.

During the period of reign of the king Julianus the Betrayer Artemeos served in the royal army since childhood and was elevated to the degree of legate. He continued to serve as the general commander of the army of Egypt also during the period of reign of the next king. Later, when Julianus the Betrayer judged the two priests – Yevgenius and Macarius, Artemeos dared to blame the king openly for cruelty for he was subjected to torments and is beheaded.

Christopher and the two Women – Kalinike and Akyouline lived in Lycia still in the period of reign of the king Dekos. During the period of reign of the king Julianus Christopher had been taken prisoner and had served in the Roman Army and had turned to the Christian faith. Seeing the torments of the other Christians he wished to reproach the heathens and to preach the truth, but was unable to do that as he didn’t know Greek. However, he prayed God, and God granted him the grace of speaking in Greek. Once seeing that the soldiers subjected a Christian to torments, reproached them and set the Christian free. The judge of the city, becoming aware of that fact, sent 200 soldiers to arrest him, but the soldiers, influenced by the preaching of Christopher and the miracle worked by him, were also converted to Christianity. Christopher was brought to the judge and reproached him refusing to obey the judge’s order to turn to the heathen faith - Kalinike and Akyouline en faith and was subjected to torments and was imprisoned. Afterwards two prostitutes were sent to Christopher to lead him into temptation, but influenced by the preaching of Christopher they are converted to Christianity. The king, getting angry, ordered to kill first Kalinike and Akyouline and then the soldiers, who announced their being Christian, and then he ordered to behead Christopher.

Priest St. Theoditon (Theodoret) was the head of the Church of Antioch. He has lived during the reign of the King Julianos the Betrayer. The King’s nephew - Count Julianos, who was the Governor of the Eastern Provinces of the Roman Empire, orders to exile all clergymen with the aim to more easily seize the treasures belonging to the churches. Priest St. Theoditon refuses to leave the church or handle in the church property and continues his daily divine services and preaching. The Count first imprisons him, then subjects him to torments and beheads him in 303 AD. Before being martyred St. Theoditon makes some prophecies, which come true. Count Julianos dies as the result of an unknown disease, and the King Julianos the Betrayer dies being wounded during the war against Persians.

Soldiers Zenon, Makar (Marcarius) and Eudoxios (Eudoxius) have been subjected to torments and martyred during the reign of the King Maximianos, in 311-312 AD, in the town Melitene of the Pokr Hayk (Armenia Minor). During the period of persecutions Eudoxios, who was a captain serving in the royal army, hides together with his wife – Vasilouhie and his companion soldiers - Zenon and Makar. Then he gives himself up to the soldiers and is beheaded together with Zenon. Makar follows them and is martyred, too.

Ramelas (Romulus) has been martyred during the reign of the King Trayanos. During the campaign to the East the King finds out that there are 11000 Christians serving in the Army. He exiles them to the town Melitene of the Pokr Hayk (Armenia Minor). The Captain Ramelas condemns the King for his atheism and announces his being Christian. Because of being Christian he is beheaded.

According to the tradition the Captain Lukianos (Longinus the Centurion) has witnessed the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the wonders occurring after the Lord’s death. He has been a Roman soldier from Cappadocia. During the Lord’s he believes in Christ’s doctrine and is converted to Christaianity. Witnessing the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, he refuses to bear false testimony and tell that the Lord’s disciples have stolen His Body. He has been beheaded by Pilate.

Joseph, the Godfather, is the descendant of David. He is the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of St. Mary. Evangelist St. Mathew characterizes him as “a man who always did what was right”. (See the Gospel according to Matthew 1:19). When Joseph finds out that Mary, to whom he was engaged, is going to have a baby, he makes plans to break the engagement privately. While he is thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to take Mary to be his wife and that the baby is by the Holy Spirit. The angel also tells Joseph to name the baby Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Understanding the importance of the mission entrusted to him by God, Joseph defends Mary and takes care of her. When Jesus is born and the time comes, Joseph performs the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded, and takes the forty-day-old child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. And when a threat to the life of baby Jesus arises, Joseph takes the child and his mother and escapes to Egypt, and after a while he again returns with them to Nazareth. St Joseph is distinguished by his unshaken faith in God. He has always tried to fulfill the divine commandments.

St. Joseph of Arimathea was one of the secret disciples of Jesus Christ. He was a rich, honest, pious and fair man waiting for the Kingdom of God. Becoming aware of the Lord’s Death on the Cross, he dares and goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Christ for burying. It is supposed that his tomb is near the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, in a small chapel, belonging to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Lazarus, Martha and Mary have lived in the period of the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ in the village Bethany not far from Jerusalem. Christ had special feeling of love towards them and when visiting to Jerusalem has stopped at their house. Christ rose Lazarus to life thus making the sisters happy. Martha was the elder sister, active and hardworking, and Mary, the junior sister, was very pious woman. After the resurrection of Lazarus Mary pours the perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. According to the tradition they go to Cyprus and live there till their death.

Evangelist St. Mathew is one of the twenty apostles of the Lord. He is the author of the first Gospel. The name of Matthew is the Greek version of the Hebrew name meaning God-given. His Hebrew name has been Levi. In the past he has been a tax collector in Capernaum. Then obeying to God’s will he has sold his property, distributed the money to the poor and has become on the followers of Jesus Christ. He has preached the Word of God in Parthia and Palestine.

Evangelist St. Mark was the nephew of Barnabas. He was born in Jerusalem. He was named also John. It was the house of his mother – Mary that was the place of prayer for the apostles. It is supposed that it was the place where Our Lord Jesus Christ had the Last Supper and where the Church was founded during the Pentecost. He has been the interpreter of St Peter, as well as the friend of St. Paul and Barnabas. He is the author of the shortest Gospel. He has preached the Word of God in Egypt, where he has been martyred he is the founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Evangelist St. Luke is the author of the third Gospel. He was born in Antioch. According to the tradition he is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. According to St. Paul he has been a physician. Listening about the Lord’s Preaching, Luke goes to Palestine and follows the Lord. He has preached the Word of God in Achaia, Libya, Egypt and Teba. He has written “The Acts of the Apostles” upon the request of Theophilos of Rome. According to the tradition he has been martyred in Teba.

Evangelist St. John is the author of the fourth Gospel, three letters and the Revelation. He deserved the title of the “beloved disciple” of Christ. He was the son of the fisherman Zebedee and the brother of James. He is considered to be one of the two disciples of St. John the Baptist who followed Jesus (See Jn 1:37). Afterwards the Lord called him to Galilee and gave him the authority of apostle. John became one of the closest Disciples of Christ. Together with James and Peter he witnessed the “transfiguration” that came over Jesus while He was praying on a high mountain named Tabor, went to the valley of Gethsemane. Together with St. Mary, Holy Godmother, he stood near the cross and at the moment of crucifixion Jesus asked him to take care of the Holy Mother of God. Together with Peter he was the first who went to the tomb of Christ and later met Him near the Sea of Genneseret (or Sea of Galilee or Lake Kinneret or Lake Tiberias). Later we see him during the persecutions of Christians in Jerusalem and his success in preaching in Samaria. After the descent of the Holy Spirit John went to Asia Minor and settled down in Ephesus where he took care of the churches founded by Paul and wrote down the Gospel there. Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus (Domitian) exiled him to Patmos where he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. In Patmos or Ephesus he wrote also his letters addressed to the faithful flock.

During the period of reign of Roman Emperor Nero he returned to Ephesus where he passed away in 100 AD, in Ephesus, at the age of 95.

According to the tradition Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite) is the disciple of the Apostle Peter. He is the first Bishop of the newly founded Church of Athens. He has converted to Christianity after listening to the sermon of the Apostle Peter He has witnessed the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. He has preached the Word of God in Rome, Germany, Spain, Galia (France). He is considered to be the author of many theological works.

Timothy is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. He was born in the town Lystra. He has been one of the close disciples of the Apostle Peter, whom St. Peter in his Epistles calls “beloved son”. He has received Christian education thanks to his mother and grandmother. His father was heathen. After witnessing the healing of a lame from birth by the Apostle Peter Timothy believes in Jesus Christ and becomes the Apostle’s disciple. He is ordained as Bishop by the Apostle Peter to serve in Ephesus and heads the Church for 15 years. Two epistles of St. Peter are addressed to Timothy. He has been stoned during the feast dedicated to the heathen godess Diana, while trying to keep the heathens away from demonic amusements and to preach the Word of God. He has been martyred in 96-98 AD, in Ephesus.

Titus also is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. He was born in Crete, in a heathen family. Since youth he has studied the Greek philosophers trying to find out the truth. He has studied Hebrew for reading the books of the Old Testament. Listening to Christ and believing him Titus has become the disciple of Christ and has been the supporter of the Apostle Paul, who has ordained him as the Bishop of Crete. One of the epistles of St. Paul is addressed to Titus. He has been the defender and advocate of Apostle Paul and has preached the Word of God and has worked wonders.

Anania is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. He is the Bishop of Damascus By God’s will he has baptized Saul and the future Apostle Paul. He has preached the Word of God among the Jews and the heathens. He has been persecuted and stoned for refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols.

Matthias was one of those disciples who followed Christ since the baptism of Christ by St John the Baptist till the Ascension of Christ. Apostle Matthias was chosen instead of Judas Iscariot and was added to the group of eleven apostles. (See Ac 1:21-23).
Barnabas also is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. He was born in Cyprus. His initial name was Joseph, but later he received the name “Barnabas” meaning “Son of Consolation”. Believing to Christ’s teaching, he has sold his property and has given the money to the apostles. He has been the friend of the apostle Paul. He has been stoned by the Jews and martyred in the town Salamis.

Philip also is one of the twenty apostles of the Lord. He was born in Bethsaida. It is supposed that he has been the disciple of St. John the Baptist. He has preached the Word of God in Greece, Syria, Phrygia, where he has healed the sick and worked wonders. According to the tradition he has been martyred in the town Herapolis.
John or the beloved apostle of the Lord is one of the twenty apostles of Jesus Christ. He is the author of the last Gospel. Initially he has been the disciple of St. John the Baptist. After the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God, he goes to Ephesus to preach the Word of God in the Churches of Asia Minor. During the reign of the King Dometianos he has been subjected to torments and has been exiled to the Island Pathmos, where he has written “Revelation” - the last book of the New Testament. He is the only apostle that has not been martyred and died a natural death.

Silas has been one of the friends of the Apostle Paul. He has imprisoned together with the Apostle Paul. However, being discharged from the prison, he has continued preaching of he Word of God. There is no reliable information concerning his death.

Pontiff St Grigoris was the elder son of the Catholicos Vrtanes. According to historian Pavstos Buzand, St. Grigoris was the Catholicos of the provinces Aghvank (Alans) and Virk. He has reconstructed and renovated all Churches and preached the Word of God to the people. He has preached Chris’s doctrine also in the mazkuts’ country. However mazkuts’ mode of life strongly varied from the Christian mode of life. That is why the mazkuts tie the saint to the tail of the horse and let out the horse to the Vaten field on the Caspian seashore, where the saint is martyred. According to the tradition Pontiff St Grigoris is buried in the Church of St. Grigoris in the village Amaras, of Artsakh. The relics of St. Grigoris have been discovered in 489 AD, during the reign of the Armenian King Vachagaan.

St. Tatoul and St. Varos (Barrus) were brothers. They were the disciples of St. Mesrob and St. Sahak. After the battle of Avarayr they go the mountains and live separately in the place called Vishapadzor. The hunters find out where Tatoul was living and he becomes very popular. People from everywhere come to the saint, ask for advice, listen to his words of consolation and, filled with peace, return to their places. Many people come and rally around the brothers and found a brotherhood. The brotherhood is named after their spiritual leader and is called the Brotherhood of St. Tatoul. One of the members of the brotherhood was Toumas (Thomas), whom St. Tatoul appoints as his successor and after that he is secluded. He passes away in very old age. St. Varos is leads ascetic life in the cave called Ditsmayr. In the future a monastery is built in that place in commemoration of his relics’ discovery.

St. Anton (Anthony) and St. Kronides (Chronides) were Greeks born in Caesaria. St. Gregory the Illuminator brings them to Armenia. In the Armenian reality they are the founders of monastic life. When St. Gregory the Illuminator destroys the idol of Gissaneh on the Innaknya hill, he builds the Church of St. Karapet in the same place. The two brothers start living in that Church. After leading ascetic life for forty years the brothers pass away in the second quarter of the fourth century.

The seven herbivorous (Vegetarian) hermits were the hermits who came to the Church of Glak or St. Karapet, of Taron in 584 AD, and settled to live on the hill called Promised, near the Innaknya monastery. And as they ate only plants, they were called herbivorous hermits. Their names were Policarpos, Theovnas, Simeon, Hovhannes, Epiphan, Dimarios and Narkesos.

The Persian King Khosrov declares war against Greeks and sends a part of his army to Taron region for robbery. Foreseeing the enemy’s upcoming attack, the monks hide the treasures in safe places in order to save them from the enemy. Then they leave the monastery. Only the seven herbivorous hermits don’t agree to leave the monastery. The Persian army attacks the monastery and the soldiers, not finding the treasures and disappointed, behead the hermits in 604 AD. Three days later some of the monks return and bury the martyrs’ remains near the tombs of St. Anton and St, Kronides.

For the Armenian people the Feast of the Holy Translators is one of the most favorite and beloved national-ecclesiastical feasts. Nearly two hundred disciples of St. Mesrob Mashtots and St. Sahak are known by the general group name “Holy Translators”. The disciples of the above mentioned group of Holy Translators are known as “Junior Translators”. Celebrating this feast, the Armenian Apostolic Church pays tribute of respect to the bright memory of St. Mesrob Mashtots, Yeghishe, Moses of Khoronk, philosoppher Davit Anhaght, whose sacred work and mission later has been continued on by St. Gregory of Narek and St. Nerses the Gracious. The word “Translator” means "Interpreter”. Comprehending and precisely understanding the demands of that period, the Holy Translators initiated the sacred work of creating the Armenian alphabet and literature. By the strength of their faith they dispersed the darkness and warmed the human souls. Thanks to the Holy Translators the Holy Bible was translated into Armenian and the Armenian peoples obtained the possibility to read the Holy Book in the native language. By means of their activity the Holy Translators contributed to the spiritual-cultural awakening of Armenia. After the translation of the Holy Bible, many books of Church Father were translated into Armenian, and thanks to this fact many translations, the original copies of which haven’t been preserved, presently exist only in the translated variant and thus the translations have obtained the value of the original.

St. Pandaleon (Pantaleon) the Physician and St. Yermoghayos (Hermolaus) the Priest are from Nikomedia. They have lived during the reign of the King Maximianos. After the death of his Christian mother Pandaleon is brought up and educated by his heathen father. He devotes himself to medical practice and deserves the king’s positive attitude. By the will of God he meets the priest Yermoghayos and thanks to the priest is converted to Christianity. Priest Yermoghayos baptizes Pandaleon and he starts to struggle against sin, poverty and diseases. In 303 AD persecutions against Christians start. Physicians envying Pandaleon slander him before the king. Pandaleon is subjected to torments, but is miraculously saved. The king becomes aware that Pandaleon has converted to Christianity thanks to the priest Yermoghayos, and orders to behead first the priest mad then – Pandaleon.

Virgin St. Eupraxia (381-411) was born in a rich and pious family in Constantinople. When Eupraxia’s father passes away, together with his mother Eupraxia moves to Egypt. In Egypt Eupraxia and her mother often visit. the convents of Tebayid. Being impressed by the atmosphere of the convents and being supported by her mother, Eupraxia makes up a decision to take the veil. Soon after that the king invites her to the capital city with the goal to marry her a young nobleman. But Eupraxia asks the king to exempt her from earthly marriage. The king agrees and sets her free to continue on her monastic life. Leading ascetic life and always praying, virgin St. Eupraxia becomes known for the God-granted virtue to work wonders. She dies at the age of thirty and is buried in the monastery, nearby her mother.

Virgin St. Tekegh (Thecla) (first century AD) was born in Ikonia. She has been called “equal to the apostles’ for converting many people to Christianity. Listening to the sermon of St. Paul, at the age of 18 Tekegh is converted to Christianity and makes up a decision not to marry and to devote her life to the preaching the Word of Christ. Tekegh’s mother, being annoyed by her daughter’s decision, beats her and tries to burn the virgin. However, the heavy rain makes the fire impossible. Tekegh lives for Antioch, where again upon her relatives’ demand, she is thrown to the beasts, but the beasts do not hurt the virgin. Finally, she is isolated in a monastery near the town Selevkia, in Cilicia, and devotes herself to the preaching of the Holy Bible, to healing and taking care of the sick. She dies at the age of 90.

Virgin St. Varvara (Barbara) has been martyred during the reign of the King Maximianos, in the town Iliopolis, in Phoenice, in about 306 AD.  She listens to the preaching of the Christians living in her town and is baptized. Varvara orders to prepare one of the windows of their new house under construction in the form of cross. For that order her heathen father subjects her to torments. However, even after house arrest for a long time she does not renounce her faith and is beheaded by her father upon the court’s resolution. Soon after Varvara’s martyrdom the cruel judge and the virgin’s father die as the result of lightning.

St. Peghigea (Pelagia) of Tarson was born in a rich noble family. She has lived during the period of reign of the King Diokletianos and was martyred in 290 AD. She is baptized and, selling her expensive cloths, distributes the money to the poor and the needy. She refuses to marry the adopted son of the King Diokletianos. For being Christian she is subjected to torments and for remaining loyal to her faith she is burnt.

Pontiff St. Pokas (Phocas) was the Bishop of the town Sinop located on the shore of the Bleak Sea. He lived in the town Paplagonia and was a gardener. His doors were always open before the foreigners, the poor and the needy. Since childhood he was granted divine grace and worked many wonders. According to hagiographic sources he drove away the demons, recovered the eyesight of the blind, and shared his property with the poor. When he already was the Bishop of Sinop, he is persecuted for being Christian. The soldiers of the King Trayanos are ordered to kill Pokas wherever they meet him. St. Pokas receives the soldiers in his house, entertains them to dinner, and then tells the soldiers that he is the person whom they are seeking. The soldiers, who were pleased with the hospitality and the attitude of St Pokas, persuade Pokas to betray his faith. However, Pokas does not betray Christ and is martyred in 117 A. D.

St. Yeranos (Bishop Irenios (Irenaeus) of Lyons) was born in Aegean Sea region. His teacher was the Pontiff St. Polikarpos of Smyrnia. St. Yeranos has studied in Rome, and then was ordained as a priest. After the martyrdom of the Bishop of Lyon St. Yeranos has succeeded him.

St. Yeranos is the first great theologian of the East and he is the last link binding the Apostolic Fathers with the Church Fathers of the next centuries. The Armenian Haysmavourk testifies that during the reign of Septimos Severos, St. Yeranos has courageously spoken before the judges about Christ, for which he has been subjected to torments and has been martyred in 2002 A. D. He is the author of the famous valuable work: “Against Schismatics”.

Besides the 12 Apostles, Jesus also had 72 disciples, whom he sent to “preach the Good News to all nations”. Unfortunately, those disciples’ names are not mentioned in the Gospels. In the New Testament the word “disciple” is used of the followers of the Jesus Christ. Christ sent out his apostles and disciples “like lambs among wolves” two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go, saying them: “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me…” (The Gospel according to Luke 10:16). There are hardly any differences between the 12 apostles and the 72 disciples, they have the same power and authority and the same mission (The Gospel according to Luke 10:9; 9:1). However, the names of all 72 disciples, like the names of the 40 innocent children martyred in Bethlehem, are known to God only and are written in the sacred book of the Heavenly Kingdom.

St. Eustatheos (Eustathius) was a rich and philanthropist captain who lived in Rome in the second century and his baptismal name was Plakidos. After the Lord’s vision the heathen captain Plakidos and his family are converted to Christianity and are baptized. Captain Plakidos is renamed Eustatheos. For becoming Christian he is deprived of all royal graces and honors and. losing his property. he leaves Rome. He is subjected to many trials: the pirates kidnap his wife Theophista (Theophistias) and while crossing the river Eustatheos loses his two sons, who being saved from drowning, are adopted by various people. Eustatheos mourns the loss of his family, but obeys the Lord’s will. Soon Eustatheos is taken to serve in the army to defend Rome from enemies. During the war by the God’s will he finds his family. When after winning he returns to Rome, he refuses to realize the King’s demand and to offer sacrifice to heathen idols, claiming that he has won only by God’s will. Annoyed King Adrianos orders to burn Eustatheos, his wife and their two sons.

Virgin Yermone (Iermonia) has lived in the second century. She was the daughter of the Deacon Philipos. Together with her sister Eutikia she goes to seek for John the Baptist. When she leans about the Apostle’s death and meets on her way Petrnoius, the disciple of the Apostle Paul, and becomes the follower of Petronius. She founds a hospital where she treats all the needy people and preaches them the Word of God. St. Yermone is subjected to torments by the King Trayanos, but remains unshaken in her faith. She is martyred during the reign of the King Adrianos, as the heathen idols are destroyed by her prayer when she enters the temple as if to offer sacrifice to the idols.

Virgin Nektarine (Catherine) was the daughter of the Konstas, governor of Alexandria. Being very pretty and having thorough knowledge, she wished to marry only the man who would exceed her in all spheres. Her mother, who was Christian, takes Nektarine to her religious teacher. The latter tells Nektarine about the person woo exceeds all secular bridegrooms. Deserving Christ’s vision, Nektarine is baptized. During the heathen feast Nektarine in the presence of the King reveals the heathens’ delusions. Under the influence of Nektarine 50 wise men, whom the King had invited to reject the virgin’s arguments, are converted to the Christianity. Because of this Nektarine is subjected to torments, but the instruments used for torments turn and start to hit the heathens. Queen Augustouhie and Captain Porphurus and his 200 soldiers, witnessing this miracle, become Christians. Upon the order of the annoyed King the latters are beheaded and Nektarine is swabbed.