Armenia Folder, its rivers and mountains, Greater A includes Pontine, Cappadocia, Edessa, Azerbaizhan.kmz

Armenia Folder, its rivers and mountains, Greater A includes Pontine, Cappadocia, Edessa, Azerbaizhan

Armenia, 331 BC-428 AD, Great Armenia, including Christian Armenia from 1st Century
Great Armenia, Kingdom of Armenia was bordered by Caucasian Albania in the east, by Caucasian Iberia in the north, by the Roman Empire in the west and by Parthia, later succeeded by Sassanid Empire. The border between Caucasian Iberia and Kingdom of Armenia was Kur river, which was also the border between Caucasian Albania and Kingdom of Armenia ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; New Martyr Isaac of Georgia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Venerable George the Scribe, of Khakhuli, Commemorated on December 19 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated January 10 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24; MARTYRS OF ARMENIA, 24 April 1915 ; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Armenia, Country between Kura and Tigrus Rivers
Great Armenia, Kingdom of Armenia was bordered by Caucasian Albania in the east, by Caucasian Iberia in the north, by the Roman Empire in the west and by Parthia, later succeeded by Sassanid Empire. The border between Caucasian Iberia and Kingdom of Armenia was Kur river, which was also the border between Caucasian Albania and Kingdom of Armenia ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; New Martyr Isaac of Georgia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Venerable George the Scribe, of Khakhuli, Commemorated on December 19 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated January 10 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24; MARTYRS OF ARMENIA, 24 April 1915 ; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Armenia, Greater Armenia Area till 461, buffer state for Western Roman Empire
Greater Armenia till 461, buffer state for Western Roman Empire, also includes Pontine and Cappadocia as revealed in many Saints' stories

Armenia, Eastern part of the Roman Empire
Eastern part of the Roman Empire ; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28;

Zargos Mountains - Around the Fertile Crescent
Zargos Mountains, around the Fertile Crescent;

Armenia, a highland plateau, Aras River Valley, behind Mount Ararat
Armenia; Mount Ararat; Armenian Plateau; Aras River; 45 Holy Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia, Commemorated on July 10; St Tsotne Dadiani the Confessor, Commemorated on July 30 ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Hieromartyr Emilian, Commemorated on August 18 ; Hieromartyr Emilian, Commemorated on August 18 ; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on August 24; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT) ; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Romulus and with him many others, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Severian of Sebaste, Commemorated on September 9 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; New Martyr Isaac of Georgia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; In 1227 Sultan Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm and his army of Turkmen attacked Georgia ; 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols, Commemorated on October 31 ; Venerable Theodore the Confessor the Abbot of the Studion, Commemorated on November 11 ; St John Chrysostom the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 13 ; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14 ; Hieromartyr Gregory (Peradze) of Georgia, Commemorated on November 23 ; Venerable Nikon œMetanoeite,Â the Preacher of Repentance, Commemorated on November 26 ; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2 ; St John the Silent of St Sabbas Monastery, Commemorated on December 3 ; Venerable George the Scribe, of Khakhuli, Commemorated on December 19 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated January 10 ; St John Chrysostom the Archbishop of Constantinople; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip; Venerable Nikon "Metanoeite," the Preacher of Repentance; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated January 14 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; Venerable Nicholas the Confessor the Abbot of Studion, Commemorated on February 4 ; St Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 12 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9; Hieromartyr Gabriel the Lesser, Commemorated on March 17 ; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Venerable John the Anchorite of Egypt, Commemorated on March 29 ; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1; Venerable Nicetas the Confessor the Abbot of Medikion, Commemorated on April 3; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15; St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on April 17; Venerable John the Disciple of the Venerable Gregory of Decapolis, Commemorated on April 18 ; MARTYRS OF ARMENIA, 24 April 1915 ; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24; Deportation of Armenian notables in 1915, April 24th ; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Venerable Dodo of the St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on May 17; The Entrance of St Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia, Commemorated on May 19; Venerable Michael of Parekhi, Commemorated on May 27; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28; Venerable Agapitus the Unmercenary Physician of the Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on June 1; St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ; St (John) Tornike of Mt Athos, Commemorated on June 12; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Hieromartyr Kirion II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Commemorated on June 27; Holy Queen Dinar, Commemorated on June 30 ;

Armenian History Folder

Armenia, 321 BC - 301, Folder, Great Armenia to Great Christian Armenia

Armenia, 321 BC - 428 AD, Great Armenia
Great Armenia, Kingdom of Armenia was bordered by Caucasian Albania in the east, by Caucasian Iberia in the north, by the Roman Empire in the west and by Parthia, later succeeded by Sassanid Empire. The border between Caucasian Iberia and Kingdom of Armenia was Kur river, which was also the border between Caucasian Albania and Kingdom of Armenia ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; New Martyr Isaac of Georgia, Commemorated on September 16 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Venerable George the Scribe, of Khakhuli, Commemorated on December 19 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated January 10 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24; MARTYRS OF ARMENIA, 24 April 1915 ; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Armenia, 4 BC - 50 AD, Armenian and Syrian King, Abgar V, Christian
Syrian King, BC 4 - AD 50, Abgar V; Translation of the Image Not-Made-By-Hands of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in AugustÂ, Commemorated on August 16; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4;

Armenia, 000, 1st Century Folder, King Abgar, Apostle Andrew, King Tiridates, Apostle Jude

Armenia, 4 BC - 50 AD, Armenian and Syrian King, Abgar V, Christian
Syrian King, BC 4 - AD 50, Abgar V; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third "œFeast of the Savior in August"Â, Commemorated on August 16; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4;

Armenia, 30-44. Apostle Thaddeus, from Edessa, Converted King Abgar, people and pagan priests
Armenia, 30-44. Apostle Thaddeus, Converted King Abgar, people and pagan priests; to Eastern Christian tradition, Thaddeus of Edessa [1] was one of the seventy disciples of Jesus. He is possibly identical with Thaddaeus, one of the Twelve Apostles.[2] From an early date his hagiography is filled with legends and fabrications. The saint himself may be entirely fictitious.[3] Edessa, Syria; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Simeon of Emessa the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on July 21; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in August, Commemorated on August 16; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in AugustÂ, Commemorated on August 16 ; BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT, THEOLOGIAN, AND POET (20 AUGUST 1153); Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated August 21 ; Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy, was by descent a Hebrew, and he was born in the Syrian city of Edessa. The holy Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy must be distinguished from Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus or Levi (June 19), who was one of the Twelve Apostles. he came to Jerusalem for a feastday, he heard the preaching of John the Forerunner. After being baptized by him in the Jordan, he remained in Palestine. He saw the Savior, and became His follower. He was chosen by the Lord to be one of the Seventy Disciples, whom He sent by twos to preach in the cities and places where He intended to visit (Luke. 10: 1). the Ascension of the Savior to Heaven, Saint Thaddeus preached the good news in Syria and Mesopotamia. He came preaching the Gospel to Edessa and he converted King Abgar, the people and the pagan priests to Christ. He backed up his preaching with many miracles (about which Abgar wrote to the Assyrian emperor Nerses). He established priests there and built up the Edessa Church. Abgar wanted to reward Saint Thaddeus with rich gifts, but he refused and went preaching to other cities, converting many pagans to the Christian Faith. He went to the city of Beirut to preach, and he founded a church there. It was in this city that he peacefully died in the year 44. (The place of his death is indicated as Beirut in the Slavonic MENAION, but according to other sources he died in Edessa. According to an ancient Armenian tradition, Saint Thaddeus, after various tortures, was beheaded by the sword on December 21 in the Artaz region in the year 50). Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons, Commemorated on August 21; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25 ; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated on September 1 ; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated September 5 ; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Commemorated September 7 ; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria, Commemorated on October 4; Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch, Commemorated October 8 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated October 15 ; Venerable Abramius the Recluse of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on October 29 ; Martyr and Confessor Gurias of Edessa, Commemorated on November 15 ; St Theodoulus the Eparch of Constantinople, Commemorated December 3 ; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated December 10 ; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; St Eustratius the Wonderworker, Commemorated on January 9 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29 ; St Sarbelus of Edessa, January 29 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31 ; Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria; Venerable Alexander the founder of the Monastery, of the "Unsleeping Ones", Commemorated February 23 ; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7; Venerable Alexis the Man of God, Commemorated on March 17; Venerable Hilarion the New the Abbot of Pelecete, Commemorated on March 28 ; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; EARLY ABBOTS of CLUNY, 30 April 909 ; EPHREM OF EDESSA, DEACON AND HYMN-WRITER (10 JUNE 373); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; St Alexander the Founder of the Monastery of the "œUnsleeping Ones"Â, Commemorated on July 3 ;

Armenia, 30-70, Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Sinope, Pathlegonia, Armenia
Philologus of Sinope; Armenia, 30-70, Apostle Philologus of the Seventy; Sinope, Turkey (Black Sea); Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on July 22 ; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated August 9 ; Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope; Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5 ; St Paul the Confessor the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 6 ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30 ; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26;

Armenia, 33-50, Loginius the Centurion at the Cross and then Cappadocia
Cappadocia, 033-050, Loginius the Centurion at the Cross and then Cappadocia ; Martyr Longinus the Centurion, who stood at the Cross of the Lord, Commemorated on October 16 ;

Armenia, 30-67, Apostle Herodion, Patara, north to south Armenian Trade Route, Black Sea to Lake Van
Patara (Cappadocia); city lay on the major trade road from Trapezus on the Black Sea to Satala, and thence to Lake Van. Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Herodion (Rodion), Agabus, Asyncritus, Rufus, Phlegon and Hermes were among the Seventy Apostles, chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: January 4). holy Apostle Herodion was a relative of Saint Paul, and his companion on many journeys. When Christianity had spread to the Balkan Peninsula, the Apostles Peter and Paul established Saint Herodion as Bishop of Patara. Saint Herodion zealously preached the Word of God and converted many of the Greek pagans and Jews to Christianity. by the preaching of the disciple, the idol-worshippers and Jews with one accord fell upon Saint Herodion, and they began to beat him with sticks and pelt him with stones. One of the mob struck him with a knife, and the saint fell down. But when the murderers were gone, the Lord restored him to health unharmed. Herodion continued to accompany the Apostle Paul for many years. When the holy Apostle Peter was crucified (+ c. 67), Saint Herodion and Saint Olympos were beheaded by the sword at the same time. holy Apostle Agabus was endowed with the gift of prophecy. He predicted (Acts 11:27-28) the famine during the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-52), and foretold the suffering of the Apostle Paul at Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). Saint Agabus preached in many lands, and converted many pagans to Christ. Rufus, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom. 16:11-15), was bishop of the Greek city of Thebes. Saint Asyncritus (Rom. 16:14) was bishop in Hyrcania (Asia Minor). Saint Phlegon was bishop in the city of Marathon (Thrace). Saint Hermes was bishop in Dalmatia (there is another Apostle of the Seventy by the name of Hermas, who was bishop in the Thracian city of Philippopolis). these disciples for their intrepid service to Christ underwent fierce sufferings and were found worthy of a martyr’s crown.

Armenia, 40-50, Pancratius, First Century Saint , picked up by Peter in Pontus, Pontine
Pontine, 40-50, First Century Saint Pancratius Hieromartyr Pancratius the Bishop of Taormina in Sicily, Commemorated on July 9; Hieromartyr Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina, was born when our Lord Jesus Christ yet lived upon the earth. parents of Pancratius were natives of Antioch. Hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, Pancratius’ father took his young son with him and went to Jerusalem in order to see the great Teacher for himself. The miracles astonished him, and when he heard the divine teaching, he then believed in Christ as the Son of God. He became close with the disciples of the Lord, especially with the holy Apostle Peter. It was during this period that young Pancratius got to know the holy Apostle Peter. the Ascension of the Savior, one of the Apostles came to Antioch and baptized the parents of Pancratius together with all their household. When the parents of Pancratius died, he left behind his inherited possessions and went to Pontus and began to live in a cave, spendng his days in prayer and deep spiritual contemplation. The holy Apostle Peter, while passing through those parts, visited Pancratius at Pontus. He took him along to Antioch, and then to Sicily, where the holy Apostle Paul then was. There the holy Apostles Peter and Paul made Saint Pancratius Bishop of Taormina in Sicily. Pancratius toiled zealously for the Christian enlightenment of the people. In a single month he built a church where he celebrated divine services. The number of believers quickly grew, and soon almost all the people of Taormina and the surrounding cities accepted the Christian Faith. Pancratius governed his flock peacefully for many years. However, pagans plotted against the saint, and seizing an appropriate moment, they fell upon him and stoned him. Thus, Saint Pancratius ended his life as a martyr. saint’s relics are in the church named for him in Rome. He is also commemorated on February 9.

Armenia, 44-60, Apostle Jude, Edessa, Jesus step bro, Edessa, took over after Thaddeus died
Persia, 70, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostle Jude; Holy Apostle Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is descended from King David and Solomon, and was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord) by his first wife. Holy Apostle John the Theologian writes in his Gospel, “... neither did his brethren believe in Himâ€ (John. 7:5). Saint Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, explains this passage. He says that at the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, Joseph’s sons, Jude among them, did not believe in His divine nature. Tradition says that when Saint Joseph returned from Egypt, he began to divide his possessions among his sons. He wanted to allot a share to Christ the Savior, born miraculously and incorruptibly from the All-Pure Virgin Mary. The brothers were opposed to this because Jesus was born of another mother. Only James, later called “The Brother of God,â€ offered to share his portion with Him. came to believe in Christ the Savior as the awaited Messiah, and he followed Him and was chosen as one of the twelve Apostles. Mindful of his sin, the Apostle Jude considered himself unworthy to be called the Lord’s brother, and in his Epistle he calls himself merely the brother of James. Holy Apostle Jude also had other names: the Evangelist Matthew terms him “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeusâ€ (Mt. 10:3). The Holy Evangelist Mark also calls him Thaddeus (Mark 3:18), and in the Acts of the Holy Apostles he is called Barsabas (Acts 15: 22). This was customary at that time. the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, Saint Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that Saint Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words. Jude’s Epistle speaks about the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, about the good and bad angels, and about the dread Last Judgment. The Apostle urges believers to guard themselves against fleshly impurity, to be diligent in prayer, faith and love, to convert the lost to the path of salvation, and to guard themselves from the teachings of heretics. He also says that it is not enough just to be converted to Christianity, but faith must be demonstrated by good works. He cites the rebellious angels and men punished by God (verse 6) to support this. Holy Apostle Jude died as a martyr around the year 80 near Mt. Ararat in Armenia, where he was crucified and pierced by arrows. Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Armenia, 54-91, Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, fell out of window in Jerusalem
Armenia, 54-91, Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene; Malatya; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28;

Armenia, 54-428, Arsacid dynasty of Armenia and Parthia, Christian
Armenia, Arsacid dynasty of Armenia, 54-428; Icon of the Mother of God "œthe Healer"Â, Commemorated on September 18; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Armenia, 54-91, Bartholomew, lot for Syria & Asia Minor, 10 cities in Armenia, healed King's daughter, crucified u d
Armenian Saint, 54-91, Bartholomew; also visited Greater Armenia (the country between the River Kura and the upper stretches of the Tigrus and Euphrates Rivers), where he worked many miracles and healed the daughter of King Polymios from the demons afflicting her. In gratitude, the king sent gifts to the apostle, who refused to accept them, saying that he sought only the salvation of the souls of mankind. Polymios together with his wife, daughter, and many of those close to them accepted Baptism. And people from more than ten cities of Greater Armenia followed their example. through the intrigues of the pagan priests, the Apostle Bartholomew was seized by the king’s brother Astiagus in the city of Alban (now the city of Baku), and crucified upside down. But even from the cross he did not cease to proclaim the good news about Christ the Savior. Finally, on orders from Astiagus, they flayed the skin from the Apostle Bartholomew and cut off his head. Believers placed his relics in a leaden coffin and buried him. Armenian King, 54-91, Triadates I; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT); BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT); name "Bartholomew" appears in the New Testament only on lists of the names of the twelve apostles. This list normally is given as six pairs, and the third pair in each of the Synoptics is "Philip and Bartholomew" (M 10:3; P 3:18; L 6:14; but A 1:15). gives no list of the Twelve, but refers to more of them individually than the Synoptists. He does not name Bartholomew, but early in his account (John 1:43-50) he tells of the call to discipleship of a Nathaniel who is often supposed to be the same person. The reasoning is as follows: John's Nathanael is introduced as one of the earliest followers of Jesus, and in terms which suggest that he became one of the Twelve. He is clearly not the same as Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, Judas Iscariot, Judas (not Iscariot, also called Lebbaeus or Thaddeus), all of whom John names separately. He is not Matthew, whose call is described differently (M 9:9). This leaves Bartholomew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes. Of these, Bartholomew is the leading candidate for two reasons: (1) "Bar-tholomew" is a patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai (or Talmai)." It is therefore likely that he had another name. (A historical novel which may not be well researched informs me that a first-century Jew would be likely to use the patronymic instead of the forename as a mark of respect in speaking to a significantly older Jew.) "Nathanael son of Tolmai" seems more likely than "Nathanael also called James (or Simon)." (2) Nathanael is introduced in John's narrative as a friend of Philip. Since Bartholomew is paired with Philip on three of our four lists of Apostles, it seems likely that they were associated. St. Bartholomew, by Michaelangelo have no certain information about Bartholomew's later life. Some writers, including the historian Eusebius of Caesarea (now Har Qesari, 32:30 N 34:54 E, near Sedot Yam), say that he preached in India. The majority tradition, with varying details, is that Bartholomew preached in Armenia, and was finally skinned alive and beheaded to Albanus or Albanopolis (now Derbent, 42:03 N 48:18 E) on the Caspian Sea. His emblem in art is a flaying knife. The flayed Bartholomew can be seen in Michelangelo's Sistine painting of the Last Judgement. He is holding his skin. The face on the skin is generally considered to be a self-portrait of Michelangelo. by James Kiefer Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ; Holy Apostle Bartholomew was born at Cana of Galilee and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, it fell by lot to the holy Apostles Bartholomew and Philip (November 14) to preach the Gospel in Syria and Asia Minor. In their preaching they wandered through various cities, and then met up again. Accompanying the holy Apostle Philip was his sister, the holy virgin Saint Mariamnne. the cities of Syria and Myzia, they underwent much hardship and tribulations, they were stoned and they were locked up in prison. In one of the villages they met up with the Apostle John the Theologian, and together they set off to Phrygia. In the city of Hieropolis by the power of their prayers they destroyed an enormous viper, which the pagans worshipped as a god. The holy Apostles Bartholomew and Philip with his sister confirmed their preaching with many miracles. Hieropolis there lived a man by the name of Stachys, who had been blind for 40 years. When he received healing, he then believed in Christ and was baptized. News of this spread throughout the city, and a multitude of the people thronged to the house where the apostles were staying. The sick and those beset by demons were released from their infirmities, and many were baptized. The city prefect gave orders to arrest the preachers and throw them in prison, and to burn down the house of Stachys. At the trial pagan priests came forth with the complaint that the strangers were turning people away from the worship of the ancestral gods. that perhaps some sort of magic power was hidden away in the clothes of the apostles, the prefect gave orders to strip them. But Saint Mariamne became like a fiery torch before their eyes, and none dared touch her. They sentenced the saints to death. The Apostle Philip was crucified upside down. Suddenly there was an earthquake, and a fissure in the earth swallowed up the prefect of the city, together with the pagan priests and many of the people. Others took fright and rushed to take down the apostles from the crosses. Since the Apostle Bartholomew had not been suspended very high, they soon managed to take him down. The Apostle Philip, however, had died. After making Stachys Bishop of Hieropolis, the Apostle Bartholomew and Saint Mariamne left the city and moved on. the Word of God, Mariamne arrived in Lykaonia, where she peacefully died (February 17). The Apostle Bartholomew went to India, where he translated the Gospel of Matthew into their language, and he converted many pagans to Christ. He also visited Greater Armenia (the country between the River Kura and the upper stretches of the Tigrus and Euphrates Rivers), where he worked many miracles and healed the daughter of King Polymios from the demons afflicting her. In gratitude, the king sent gifts to the apostle, who refused to accept them, saying that he sought only the salvation of the souls of mankind. Polymios together with his wife, daughter, and many of those close to them accepted Baptism. And people from more than ten cities of Greater Armenia followed their example. But through the intrigues of the pagan priests, the Apostle Bartholomew was seized by the king’s brother Astiagus in the city of Alban (now the city of Baku), and crucified upside down. But even from the cross he did not cease to proclaim the good news about Christ the Savior. Finally, on orders from Astiagus, they flayed the skin from the Apostle Bartholomew and cut off his head. Believers placed his relics in a leaden coffin and buried him. about the year 508 the holy relics of the Apostle Bartholomew were transferred to Mesopotamia, to the city of Dara. When the Persians seized the city in 574, Christians took the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew with them when they fled to the shores of the Black Sea. But since the enemy overtook them there, they were compelled to leave the coffin behind, and the pagans threw it into the sea. By the power of God the coffin miraculously arrived on the island of Lipari. In the ninth century, after the taking of the island by the Arabs, the holy relics were transferred to the Neapolitan city of Beneventum in Italy, and in the tenth century part of the relics were transferred to Rome. holy Apostle Bartholomew is mentioned in the Life of Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4). Having received from a certain man part of the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew, Saint Joseph conveyed them to his own monastery near Constantinople, and he built a church in the name of the Apostle Bartholomew, placing in it a portion of the relics. Saint Joseph ardently desired to compose hymns of praise in honor of the saint, and he fervently besought God to grant him the ability to do so. the Feast day in memory of the Apostle Bartholomew, Saint Joseph saw him at the altar. He beckoned to Joseph and took the holy Gospel from the altar table and pressed it to his bosom with the words, “May the Lord bless you, and may your song delight the whole world.” And from that time Saint Joseph began to write hymns and canons to adorn not only the Feast day of the Apostle Bartholomew, but also the Feast days of many other saints, composing about 300 canons in all. Saints John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, Epiphanius of Cyprus and certain other teachers of the Church regard the Apostle Bartholomew as being the same person as Nathanael (John 1:45-51, 21:2).

Armenia, 54-91, Apostle Andrew, established churches, bishops, in East, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, North Black Sea, Armenia
Armenia, 54-91, Apostle Andrew; his journeys the First-Called Apostle endured many sufferings and torments from pagans: they cast him out of their cities and they beat him. Sinope they pelted him with stones, but remaining unharmed, the persistent disciple of Christ continued to preach to people about the Savior. Through the prayers of the Apostle, the Lord worked miracles. By the labors of the holy Apostle Andrew, Christian Churches were established, for which he provided bishops and clergy. final city to which the Apostle came was the city of Patra, where he was destined to suffer martyrdom. Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was the first of the Apostles to follow Christ, and he later brought his own brother, the holy Apostle Peter, to Christ (John 1:35-42). future apostle was from Bethsaida, and from his youth he turned with all his soul to God. He did not enter into marriage, and he worked with his brother as a fisherman. the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John began to preach, Saint Andrew became his closest disciple. Christ to be the Lamb of God, Saint John the Baptist himself sent to Christ his own two disciples, the future Apostles Andrew and John the Theologian. the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Saint Andrew went to the Eastern lands preaching the Word of God. He went through Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, he reached the River Danube, went along the coast of the Black Sea, through Crimea, the Black Sea region and along the River Dniepr he climbed to the place where the city of Kiev now stands. stopped overnight on the hills of Kiev. Rising in the morning, he said to those disciples that were with him: “See these hills? Upon these hills shall shine forth the beneficence of God, and there will be a great city here, and God shall raise up many churches.” The apostle went up around the hills, blessed them and set up a cross. Having prayed, he went up even further along the Dniepr and reached a settlement of the Slavs, where Novgorod was built. From here the apostle went through the land of the Varangians towards Rome for preaching, and again he returned to Thrace, where in the small village of Byzantium, the future Constantinople, he founded the Church of Christ. The name of the holy Apostle Andrew links the mother, the Church of Constantinople, with her daughter, the Russian Church. his journeys the First-Called Apostle endured many sufferings and torments from pagans: they cast him out of their cities and they beat him. Sinope they pelted him with stones, but remaining unharmed, the persistent disciple of Christ continued to preach to people about the Savior. Through the prayers of the Apostle, the Lord worked miracles. the labors of the holy Apostle Andrew, Christian Churches were established, for which he provided bishops and clergy. The final city to which the Apostle came was the city of Patra, where he was destined to suffer martyrdom. Lord worked many miracles through His disciple in Patra. The infirm were made whole, and the blind received their sight. Through the prayers of the Apostle, the illustrious citizen Sosios recovered from serious illness and Maximilla and Stratokles, the wife and brother of the governor of Patra, were healed. The miracles accomplished by the Apostle and his fiery speech enlightened almost all the citizens of the city of Patra with the true Faith. pagans remained at Patra, but among them was the prefect of the city, Aegeatos. The Apostle Andrew repeatedly turned to him with the words of the Gospel. But even the miracles of the Apostle did not convince Aegeatos. The holy Apostle with love and humility appealed to his soul, striving to reveal to him the Christian mystery of life eternal, through the wonderworking power of the Holy Cross of the Lord. The angry Aegeatos gave orders to crucify the apostle. The pagan thought he might undo Saint Andrew’s preaching if he were to put him to death on the cross. Andrew the First-Called accepted the decision of the prefect with joy and with prayer to the Lord, and went willingly to the place of execution. In order to prolong the suffering of the saint, Aegeatos gave orders not to nail the saint’s hands and feet, but to tie them to the cross. For two days the apostle taught the citizens who gathered about. The people, in listening to him, with all their souls pitied him and tried to take Saint Andrew down from the cross. Fearing a riot of the people, Aegeatos gave orders to stop the execution. But the holy apostle began to pray that the Lord would grant him death on the cross. Just as the soldiers tried to take hold of the Apostle Andrew, they lost control of their hands. The crucified apostle, having given glory to God, said: “Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit.” Then a blazing ray of divine light illumined the cross and the martyr crucified upon it. When the light faded, the holy Apostle Andrew had already given up his holy soul to the Lord. Maximilla, the wife of the prefect, had the body of the saint taken down from the cross, and buried him with honor. few centuries later, under the emperor Constantine the Great, the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew were solemnly transferred to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Holy Apostles beside the relics of the holy Evangelist Luke and Saint Paul’s disciple Saint Timothy. Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29;

Armenia, 54-62. Apostle James son of Alphaeus, of the 12, with Andrew first called in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis
Apostle James son of Alphaeus, of the 12; son of Alphaeus was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, appearing under this name in all three of the Synoptic Gospels' lists of the apostles. He is often identified with James the Less and commonly known by that name in church tradition. He is also labelled "the minor", "the little", "the lesser", or "the younger", according to translation. He is distinct from James, son of Zebedee and in some interpretations also from James, brother of Jesus (James the Just).[3] He appears only four times in the New Testament, each time in a list of the twelve apostles.[4] Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle James the son of Alphaeus one of the Twelve Apostles, was the brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. He heard the Lord’s words and witnessed His miracles. the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle James Alphaeus and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (November 30), made missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, proclaiming the Gospel, healing all sorts of sickness and disease, and converting many to the path of salvation. James finished his apostolic work In the Egyptian city of Ostrachina, where he was crucified by the pagans.

Armenia, 54-80, Apostle Matthias, Tianum, Amasea, Edessa, Sebaste, and Sinope, miraculously freed by Andrew
Apostle Matthias of the Seventy; Sinope, Turkey (Black Sea); Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated August 9 ; Holy Apostle Matthias was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver (February 3). the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in Him as the Messiah, followed constantly after Him and was numbered among the Seventy Apostles, whom the Lord “sent them two by two before His face” (Luke 10:1). the Ascension of the Savior, Saint Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve Apostles (Acts 1:15-26). After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Matthias preached the Gospel at Jerusalem and in Judea together with the other Apostles (Acts 6:2, 8:14). From Jerusalem he went with the Apostles Peter and Andrew to Syrian Antioch, and was in the Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope. Here the Apostle Matthias was locked into prison, from which he was miraculously freed by Saint Andrew the First-Called. Apostle Matthias journeyed after this to Amasea, a city on the shore of the sea. During a three year journey of the Apostle Andrew, Saint Matthias was with him at Edessa and Sebaste. According to Church Tradition, he was preaching at Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him to preach the Gospel. pagans forced the saint to drink a poison potion. He drank it, and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners who had been blinded by the potion. When Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them. Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the Apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them. Apostle Matthias returned to Judea and did not cease to enlighten his countrymen with the light of Christ’s teachings. He worked great miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus and he converted a great many to faith in Christ. Jewish High Priest Ananias hated Christ and earlier had commanded the Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, to be flung down from the heights of the Temple, and now he ordered that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought for judgment before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. impious Ananias uttered a speech in which he blasphemously slandered the Lord. Using the prophecies of the Old Testament, the Apostle Matthias demonstrated that Jesus Christ is the True God, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, Consubstantial and Coeternal with God the Father. After these words the Apostle Matthias was sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin and stoned. Saint Matthias was already dead, the Jews, to hide their malefaction, cut off his head as an enemy of Caesar. (According to several historians, the Apostle Matthias was crucified, and indicate that he instead died at Colchis.) The Apostle Matthias received the martyr’s crown of glory in the year 63. Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30 ;

Armenia, 54-91, King, Tiridates I, Christian
Armenian King, 54-91, Triadates I; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Armenia, 80, Apostle Jude, 1st Century, Mt Aarat
Persia, 70, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostle Jude; Holy Apostle Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is descended from King David and Solomon, and was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord) by his first wife. Holy Apostle John the Theologian writes in his Gospel, “... neither did his brethren believe in Himâ€ (John. 7:5). Saint Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, explains this passage. He says that at the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, Joseph’s sons, Jude among them, did not believe in His divine nature. Tradition says that when Saint Joseph returned from Egypt, he began to divide his possessions among his sons. He wanted to allot a share to Christ the Savior, born miraculously and incorruptibly from the All-Pure Virgin Mary. The brothers were opposed to this because Jesus was born of another mother. Only James, later called “The Brother of God,â€ offered to share his portion with Him. came to believe in Christ the Savior as the awaited Messiah, and he followed Him and was chosen as one of the twelve Apostles. Mindful of his sin, the Apostle Jude considered himself unworthy to be called the Lord’s brother, and in his Epistle he calls himself merely the brother of James. Holy Apostle Jude also had other names: the Evangelist Matthew terms him “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeusâ€ (Mt. 10:3). The Holy Evangelist Mark also calls him Thaddeus (Mark 3:18), and in the Acts of the Holy Apostles he is called Barsabas (Acts 15: 22). This was customary at that time. the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, Saint Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that Saint Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words. Jude’s Epistle speaks about the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, about the good and bad angels, and about the dread Last Judgment. The Apostle urges believers to guard themselves against fleshly impurity, to be diligent in prayer, faith and love, to convert the lost to the path of salvation, and to guard themselves from the teachings of heretics. He also says that it is not enough just to be converted to Christianity, but faith must be demonstrated by good works. He cites the rebellious angels and men punished by God (verse 6) to support this. Holy Apostle Jude died as a martyr around the year 80 near Mt. Ararat in Armenia, where he was crucified and pierced by arrows. Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; Holy Apostle Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is descended from King David and Solomon, and was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord) by his first wife. Holy Apostle John the Theologian writes in his Gospel, “... neither did his brethren believe in Him” (John. 7:5). Saint Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, explains this passage. He says that at the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, Joseph’s sons, Jude among them, did not believe in His divine nature. Tradition says that when Saint Joseph returned from Egypt, he began to divide his possessions among his sons. He wanted to allot a share to Christ the Savior, born miraculously and incorruptibly from the All-Pure Virgin Mary. The brothers were opposed to this because Jesus was born of another mother. Only James, later called “The Brother of God,” offered to share his portion with Him. came to believe in Christ the Savior as the awaited Messiah, and he followed Him and was chosen as one of the twelve Apostles. Mindful of his sin, the Apostle Jude considered himself unworthy to be called the Lord’s brother, and in his Epistle he calls himself merely the brother of James. Holy Apostle Jude also had other names: the Evangelist Matthew terms him “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus” (Mt. 10:3). The Holy Evangelist Mark also calls him Thaddeus (Mark 3:18), and in the Acts of the Holy Apostles he is called Barsabas (Acts 15: 22). This was customary at that time. the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, Saint Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that Saint Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words. Jude’s Epistle speaks about the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, about the good and bad angels, and about the dread Last Judgment. The Apostle urges believers to guard themselves against fleshly impurity, to be diligent in prayer, faith and love, to convert the lost to the path of salvation, and to guard themselves from the teachings of heretics. He also says that it is not enough just to be converted to Christianity, but faith must be demonstrated by good works. He cites the rebellious angels and men punished by God (verse 6) to support this. Holy Apostle Jude died as a martyr around the year 80 near Mt. Ararat in Armenia, where he was crucified and pierced by arrows.

Armenia, 91-123, Emperor, Artaxar (Sanatruk) Christian, dog's gift, succeded Tirdates I
Armenia, 88-123, Emperor, Artaxar (Sanatruk); was a member of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia who succeeded Tiridates I of Armenia as King of Armenia at the end of the 1st century. He was also King of Osroene (reigned 91–109), a historic kingdom located in Mesopotamia. Little or no information is available from either literary or numismatic sources regarding the successor of Tiridates.[1] the collation of various Classical and Armenian sources, Sanatruk is assumed to have reigned around the start of the 2nd century.[1] Certain scholars proposed that Sanatruk succeeded Tiridates between 75 and 110 but this hypothesis for which there is no explicit evidence has been rejected by others.[2] His merits are praised by Arrian in his Parthica where he is equated with the most illustrious Greeks and Romans. Hagiographic tradition blames him for the martyrdom of the Apostle St. Thaddeus in Armenia, as well as his own daughter, St. Sandukht the Virgin.[3] In 110 the throne of Armenia was held by Axidares, the son of the Parthian monarch of Atropatene, Pacorus II of Parthia who was deposed in 113 by Trajan. A number of sources have named Sanatruk as one of the leaders of the revolt against Trajan's occupation by 117.[2] of Chorene writes, that Sanatruk while being a child was taken by a sister of King Abgar of Edessa - Avde from Edessa to Armenia through the Kordvats Mountains, where they were caught in a sudden snow storm. They spent three days battling the storm and the child survived thanks to a white coated animal that kept him warm. It is thought that the animal must have been a white dog based on the etymology of the name Sanatruk that was soon after bestowed on the child (San - accusative form of Armenian Շուն (shun: dog) and truk (truk: tribute/gift ultimately from Armenian tur: give). A literal English translation of Sanatruk would be, Dog's gift. Armenian King, 54-91, Triadates I; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Armenia, 98-117, Sarbelus, Edessa, converted pagan priest and martyr
Armenia, 98-117, Sarbelus, Edessa, Converted priest and martyr; Edessa, Syria; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated September 5 ; Holy Martyr Sarbelus was a pagan priest who lived during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117) He and his sister Bebaia were converted by Saint Barsimaius, the Bishop of Edessa (January 29). They both received the crown of martyrdom. This Saint Sarbelus appears to be the same one who is commemorated on January 29 and October 15.

Armenia, 98-117, Phocus, Bishop of Sinope, martyred enclosed in hot bath, not the Gardener
Armenia, 98-117, Phocus, Bishop of Sinope Sinope, Turkey (Black Sea); Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on July 22 ; Transfer of the Relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas from Sinope to Constantinople occurred on July 22 in either the year 403 or 404. His life is found under September 22. Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated August 9 ; Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope; Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Phocas was born in the city of Sinope. From youth he led a virtuous Christian life, and in his adult years he became Bishop of Sinope. Saint Phocas converted many pagans to faith in Christ. At the time of a persecution against Christians under the emperor Trajan (98-117), the governor demanded that the saint renounce Christ. After fierce torture they enclosed Saint Phocas in a hot bath, where he died a martyr’s death in the year 117. the year 404, the relics of the saint were transferred to Constantinople (July 22). Hieromartyr Phocas is especially venerated as a defender against fires, and also as a helper of the drowning. Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Holy Martyr Phocas the Gardener came from the city of Sinope on the southern shore of the Black Sea. Having a small garden, he lived modestly. He sold what he grew, and supported himself on the proceeds. He helped the needy and paid for the housing of vagrants. The Christian piety of the saint had a great influence on other people. Even pagans deferred to him with deep respect. Under his influence they often abandoned their error and accepted the Christian Faith. governor of the district, aware that Saint Phocas was spreading Christian teachings, gave orders to find and kill him. The saint himself accidentally came upon those sent after him, and without revealing his name, he courteously received them, fed them and prepared a place for them to spend the night. night he went into the garden, then prepared a grave and a place for his burial. He even made arrangements for all his possessions to be distributed to the poor after his death. In the morning Saint Phocas declared to the strangers that it was he for whom they were searching, and told them to fulfill the duty entrusted to them. The visitors were distressed, not wanting to kill the kindly saint. They felt honor bound to spare Saint Phocas, but he would not hear of it, and humbly bent his head beneath the sword. buried the holy Martyr Phocas in the grave that he himself had prepared in the garden. The place of his burial was glorified by miracles, and later a church was built there. An accurate account of the martyr’s death was collected by Asterius of Amasea (+ 410). The holy Martyr Phocas is especially venerated by seafarers, and he is called upon by those traveling by sea. Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30 ;

Armenia, 100, 2nd Century Folder, Hermias of Comona

Armenia, 138-161, Martyr Hermias of Comana, Cappadocia, hot oven, poison, converted sorcerer, boiliing oil, gouged eyes, skinned, relics
Comana (Cappadocia); Martyr Hermias at Comana, Commemorated on May 31; Martyr Hermias suffered for Christ in the city of Comana during the persecution under the emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). The governor Sebastian, who was in Cappadocia to arrest Christians, urged the saint to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, promising him honors and mercy from the emperor. old soldier bravely confessed his faith in Christ. After long exhortation, the governor gave orders to torture the saint. They beat him on the face so that the skin peeled from his face, and they threw him into a red-hot oven. When the oven was opened after three days, the martyr Hermias emerged from it unharmed. governor Sebastian ordered the sorcerer Marus to poison Saint Hermias with a potion. The poisonous drink did the saint no harm. A second goblet with even stronger poison also failed to kill the saint. The sorcerer believed in Christ the Savior, and was immediately beheaded. Saint Marus was baptized in his own blood, and received a martyr’s crown. Hermias was subjected to even more terrible tortures. They raked his body with sharp instruments, threw him in boiling oil, and gouged out his eyes, but he gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they suspended the martyr head downward. For three days he hung in this position. sent by the governor to verify his death found him alive. Struck by the miracle, they were blinded with fright and began to call out to the saint to help them. The holy martyr ordered the blind to approach him, and healed them in the Name of Jesus Christ. anger the governor ordered the skin flayed from the saint’s body, but he remained alive. Then the crazed Sebastian beheaded him with his own sword. Christians secretly buried the body of the martyr Hermias, whose relics bestowed numerous healings.

Armenia, 200, 3rd - 7th Century, Folder, Christian Armenia

Armenia, 200-299. 3rd Century Folder, Enlightener Gregory, Salome, King Tiridates III, Nino, George

Armenia, 201-252, Khosrov II, C King, killed by Gregorys f Sassanian Anak, except for Gregory Anak's family killed
Armenian King, 3rd Century-252, Khosrov II of Armenia; Armenian Parthian Prince, 3rd Century-252, Anak the Parthian; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Armenia, 201-252, Armenian Parthian Prince, Anak the Parthian, Gregory the Illuminator's father
Armenian Parthian Prince, 3rd Century-252, Anak the Parthian; the Parthian,[1] also known as Anak Pahlavi[2] (flourished 3rd century, died 252[3]), was a Parthian noble who lived during the time of Arsacid Armenia.[4] 1 Biography 2 Family 3 References 4 Sources was an Armenian Parthian nobleman,[5] who was a prince[6] said to be related to the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia[7] or was from the House of Suren,[8][9] one of the seven branches of the ruling Arsacid dynasty[10] of Sakastan.[11] is known of the life of Anak. He married a Parthian noblewoman called Okohe, who bore him sons. Among their children was Gregory.[12] I and his son, Shapur I, incited Anak[13] to murder King Khosrov II of Armenia, promising to return his own domain as a reward.[14] Ardashir I was alarmed by the military victories that Khosrov II with his late father, Tiridates II of Armenia had won against him,[15] as he wanted to expand the Sassanid Empire and to annex Armenia. had won the trust of Khosrov II and had travelled to Vagharshapat.[16] When Anak arrived in Vagharshapat he pretended to take refuge in the Armenian dominions from the persecution of Ardashir I.[17] Anak was hospitably received in Vagharshapat by Khosrov II and then stabbed the king in the heart, also killing Khosrov's wife. Anak was furiously pursued by Armenian soldiers, until he drowned in the Aras River.[18] Armenian army and nobles were outraged by the death of the reigning King and in turn wreaked their vengeance on the family of Anak.[19][20] The only child to survive from Anak’s family was his infant son Gregory,[21] who was taken to Cappadocia by his former caretakers Sopia and Yevtagh, who had escaped the slaughter of Anak’s family. I took possession of Armenia for himself and it became a part of his empire.[22] Troops loyal to Khosrov II, had his son, Tiridates III, taken to Rome for protection[23] where Tiridates III was raised and his daughter Khosrovidkuht was taken to be raised in Caesarea Mazaca, Cappadocia.[24] The foster parents of Khosrovidukht were Awtay, a nobleman from the family of the Amatuni, and Awtay’s wife, a noblewoman whose name is unknown, who was from the family of the Slkunik.[25] Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Armenia, 220-270, Saint, Gregory Thaumaturgus of Neocaesarea, wonderworker, Origin, harlot, clairvoyant, prophet
Pontine Saint, 220-270, Gregory Thaumaturgus of Neocaesarea; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; St. Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) into a pagan family. received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian. the continuation of his studies Saint Gregory went to Alexandria, known then as a center for pagan and Christian learning. The youth, eager for knowledge, went to the Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great strength of mind and profound knowledge. Saint Gregory became a student of Origen. Afterwards, the saint wrote about his mentor: “This man received from God a sublime gift, to be an interpreter of the Word of God for people, to apprehend the Word of God, as God Himself did use it, and to explain it to people, insofar as they were able to understand it.” Saint Gregory studied for eight years with Origen, and was baptized by him. ascetic life of Saint Gregory, his continence, purity and lack of covetousness aroused envy among his conceited and sin-loving peers, pagans that they were, and they decided to slander Saint Gregory. Once, when he was conversing with philosophers and teachers in the city square, a notorious harlot came up to him and demanded payment for the sin he had supposedly committed with her. At first Saint Gregory gently remonstrated with her, saying that she perhaps mistook him for someone else. But the profligate woman would not be quieted. He then asked a friend to give her the money. Just as the woman took the unjust payment, she immediately fell to the ground in a demonic fit, and the fraud became evident. Saint Gregory said a prayer over her, and the devil left her. This was the beginning of Saint Gregory’s miracles. returned to Neocaesarea, the saint fled from the worldly affairs into which influential townsmen persistently sought to push him. He went into the desert, where by fasting and prayer he attained to high spiritual accomplishment and the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. Saint Gregory loved life in the wilderness and wanted to remain in solitude until the end of his days, but the Lord willed otherwise. bishop of the Cappadocian city of Amasea, Thedimos, having learned of Saint Gregory’s ascetic life, decided to have him made Bishop of Neocaesarea. But having foreseen in spirit the intent of Bishop Thedimos, the saint hid himself from the messengers of the bishop who were entrusted to find him. Then Bishop Thedimos ordained the absent saint as Bishop of Neocaesarea, beseeching the Lord that He Himself would sanctify the unusual ordination. Saint Gregory perceived the extraordinary event as a manifestation of the will of God and he did not dare to protest. This episode in the life of Saint Gregory was recorded by Saint Gregory of Nyssa (January 10). He relates that Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea received the episcopal dignity only after Bishop Thedimos of Amasea performed all the canonical rites over him. this time, the heresy of Sabellius and Paul of Samosata began to spread. They taught falsely concerning the Holy Trinity. Saint Gregory prayed fervently and diligently imploring God and His most pure Mother to reveal to him the true faith. The All-Holy Virgin Mary appeared to him, radiant like the sun, and with Her was the Apostle John the Theologian dressed in archepiscopal vestments. the command of the Mother of God, the Apostle John taught the saint how to correctly and properly confess the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Saint Gregory wrote down everything that Saint John the Theologian revealed to him. The Mystery of the Symbol of the Faith, written down by Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea, is a great divine revelation in the history of the Church. The teaching about the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Theology is based on it. Subsequently it was used by the holy Fathers of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of Nyssa. The Symbol of Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea was later examined and affirmed in the year 325 by the First Ecumenical Council, showing his enduring significance for Orthodoxy. become a bishop, Saint Gregory set off to Neocaesarea. Along the way from Amasea he expelled devils from a pagan temple, the priest of which he converted to Christ. The convert was witness to still another miracle of the saint, at his word a large stone shifted from its place. preaching of the saint was direct, lively and fruitful. He taught and worked miracles in the name of Christ: he healed the sick, he helped the needy, he settled quarrels and complaints. Two brothers sharing an inheritance were not able to agree over the property of their dead father. There was a large lake over which they argued, for each of the brothers wanted the lake for himself. They both gathered their friends together, and were ready to come to blows. Saint Gregory persuaded them to delay their fight until the following day, and he himself prayed all night long at the shore of the lake which sparked the quarrel. When dawn broke, everyone saw that the lake had dried up or gone underground. Through the intense prayer of the saint, now there was only a stream, and its course defined the boundary line. Another time, during the construction of a church, he commanded a hill to move and make room at the place of the foundation. a persecution against Christians began under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Gregory led his flock to a faraway mountain. A certain pagan, knowing about the hiding place of the Christians, informed the persecutors. Soldiers surrounded the mountain. The saint went out into an open place, raised up his hands to heaven and ordered to his deacon to do the same. The soldiers searched the whole mountain, and they went several times right past those praying, but not seeing them, they gave up and went away. In the city they reported that there was nowhere to hide on the mountain: no one was there, and only two trees stood beside each other. The informer was struck with amazement, he repented of his ways and became a fervent Christian. Gregory returned to Neocaesarea after the end of the persecution. By his blessing church Feasts were established in honor of the martyrs who had suffered for Christ. his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased the number of converts to Christ. When Saint Gregory first ascended his cathedra, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea. At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city.

Armenia, 222-235, Martyr Theodota at Nicea, from Cappadocia, Armenia, felt no pain or scars from iron hooks
Bithynia, 222-235, Martyr Theodota at Nicea; Holy Martyr Theodota, a native of Cappadocia, suffered in the city of Nicea during the reign of the emperor Alexander Severus (222-235). At this time the governor of Cappadocia was a certain Symblicius. They told him that a rich woman named Theodota was confessing Christ. The governor summoned Theodota and for a long time urged her to turn from the true Faith. the futility of his attempts, he gave Theodota over to torture. They suspended her and began to rake her with iron hooks, but she did not feel any pain. Then they put her in chains and led her away to a prison cell. eight days, when they led the saint out for new tortures, only faint traces of the tortures already endured remained on her body. The governor was amazed and asked, “Who are you?” The saint answered: “Your mind is darkened, but if you were sober, then you would have realized that I am Theodota.” commanded the martyr to be cast into a red-hot furnace. Flames shot out from the furnace and scorched those standing nearby, while those remaining unharmed shut the furnace and scattered in fright. After a certain while, pagan priests came and opened the furnace to scatter the ashes of the martyr, but they too were burned by the flames. Those remaining unhurt saw Saint Theodota unharmed. She stood in the midst of the flames between two youths in white raiment, and was glorifying the Lord. This apparition so terrified the pagans that they fell down as if dead. Later, they returned the saint to prison. invincibility of the martyr gave Symblicius no peace. He made a journey to Byzantium, on the return trip he stopped over at Ancyra and tried to get the better of Theodota. He gave orders to throw her all at once onto red-hot iron, but again the martyr remained unharmed. Symblicius gave orders that the saint be taken to Nicea. There, in a pagan temple he wanted to compel her to offer sacrifice to the idols, but through the prayer of the saint, the idols fell and were shattered. The outraged governor gave orders to stretch the martyr out and saw through her body, but here also the power of God preserved the saint. The saw caused Theodota no harm, and the servants became exhausted. Finally, they beheaded the saint. Bishop Sophronius of Nicea buried her body. Nicea (Nicaea); Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Icon of the Mother of God of Armatia, Commemorated on July 21; Martyr Theodota in Bithynia, Commemorated on July 29; Righteous Nonna the mother of St Gregory the Theologian, Commemorated on August 5; Martyr Diomedes the Physician of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 16; Icon of the Mother of God of Armatia, Commemorated on August 17; St Hosius the Confessor the Bishop of Cordova, Commemorated August 27 ; St Alexander the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on August 30; Fathers of the First Six Councils; First Council of Nicaea; Second Council of Nicaea; Martyr Theodota in Bithynia; Saint Sava I, first Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated on August 30 and January 14; St Peter Bishop of Nicea, Commemorated September 10 ; Venerable Paul the Obedient, of the Kiev Caves, Commemorated on September 10; Martyr Theodota at Nicea, Commemorated on September 17 ; Arrival of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Georgia, Commemorated on September 26 ; Martyr Polychronius the Presbyter, Commemorated on October 7 ; St Theophanes the Confessor and Hymnographer, Bishop of Nicea, Commemorated on October 11 ; St Hypatius of Gangra, Commemorated on November 16 ; Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council; Martyr Eustathius of Nicea, Commemorated on November 20 ; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; St Paul the Bishop of Neocaesarea, Commemorated December 23 ; Venerable Theodore Graptus, "the branded," Confessor, Commemorated December 27 ; St Athanasius the Great the Archbishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on January 18 ; St Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated January 21; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; Martyr Tryphon of Campsada Near Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 1 ; Icon of the Mother of God "Iveron", Commemorated February 12 ; St Eustathius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 21; St Tarasius the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated February 25; Martyr Antonina of Nicea, in Bithynia, Commemorated on March 1; Hieromartyr Capiton of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7 ; Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (18 MAR 386); Appearance of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on March 31; St Plato the Confessor of Studion, Commemorated on April 5; Hieromartyr Zeno the Bishop of Verona, Commemorated on April 12; ATHANASIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, THEOLOGIAN, DOCTOR (2 MAY 373); St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Commemoration of the Apparition of the Sign of the Precious Cross Over Jerusalem, in 351 AD, Commemorated on May 7; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; St Germanus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on May 12; St Achilles the Bishop of Larissa, Commemorated on May 15 ; Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Commemorated on May 21; St Michael the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada, Commemorated on May 23; EPHREM OF EDESSA, DEACON AND HYMN-WRITER (10 JUNE 373); BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Antonina of Nicea, Commemorated on June 13; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Venerable Athanasius the Founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on July 5 ;

Armenia, 223-270, Gregory Thaumaturgus, the Wonderworker of Cappadocia, not the illuminator
Cappadocia, 223-270, Gregory Thaumaturgus, the Wonderworker ; St. Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1;

Armenia, 224-290, Saint Irene or Penelope from Shiraz, Persia, to Sapor to end persecution, e army blinded
Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. this, Saint Irene walked into the city and performed many miracles. She returned to the tower built by her father, accompanied by the priest Timothy. Through her teaching, she converted five thousand people to Christ. Next, the saint went to the city of Callinicus, or Callinicum (possibly on the Euphrates River in Syria). The ruler of that place was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. When she began to teach about Christ, she was arrested and tortured by the pagan authorities. They enclosed her inside three bronze oxen, one after another, which were heated until they were red-hot. When the Great Martyr was placed within the third ox, it began to walk about, and then it split asunder. Saint Irene emerged from it as if from the fires of hell. This resulted in thousands of souls converting to the faith of Christ. the approach of death, Numerian instructed his eparch Babdonus to continue torturing the saint in order to force her to sacrifice to idols. Once again, the tortures were ineffective, and many people turned to Christ. ’s holy martyr then traveled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa. By 330, the Persian king Sapor II (309-379) had heard of Saint Irene’s great miracles. To prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was arrested, beheaded, and then buried. However, God sent an angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria. After seeing her alive and hearing her preach, the local king was baptized with many of his subjects. Wishing to convert even more pagans to Christianity, Saint Irene went to Ephesus, where she taught the people and performed many miracles. The Lord revealed to her that the end of her life was approaching. Then Saint Irene left the city accompanied by six people, including her former teacher Apellian. On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. After making the Sign of the Cross, she went inside, directing her companions to seal the entrance to the cave with a large stone, which they did. She also told them that that no one should move the stone until four days had passed. returned after only two days, and found that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. There are conflicting accounts about her holy relics being taken to Constantinople and other places, including Patras, Samos, and Patmos. According to the Western Martyrologies, Saint Irene was martyred in Thessaloniki after being thrown into the fire, while according to the Menologion of Emperor Basil II, Saint Irene completed her martyric contest by being beheaded. Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her preaching, and by her example. The Church continues to honor her memory and to seek her heavenly intercession. She is invoked by those wishing to effect a swift and happy marriage. In Greece, she is also the patron saint of policemen. Saint Irene is also one of the twelve Virgin Martyrs who appeared to Saint Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) and the Diveyevo nun Eupraxia on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1831. By her holy prayers, may the Lord have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

Armenia, 244-250, Mercurius of Cappadocia, roman soldier, barbarians, angel, sword, martyr, myrrh
Cappadocia, 244-250, Cappadocian Saint, Mercurius; Great Martyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24; Holy Great Martyr Mercurius, a Scythian by descent, served as a soldier in the Roman army. The impious emperors Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259) issued a decree ordering all Roman citizens to worship the pagan gods, and condemning Christians to torture and death unless they obeyed the decree. that time barbarians attacked the Roman empire, and the emperor Decius went on campaign with a large army. In one of the battles an angel of the Lord appeared to Mercurius in the guise of a nobleman and presented him a sword saying, “Fear not, Mercurius. Go forth bravely against the enemy, and when you are victorious, do not forget the Lord your God.â€ With this sword the holy warrior cut through the ranks of the barbarians. He also killed their king, winning victory for the Romans. The grateful Emperor Decius rewarded Saint Mercurius for his bravery, and made him commander of the entire army. angel of the Lord appeared again to the holy warrior, who had received great honors and riches, and reminded him by Whom the victory had been given. He also told General Mercurius that he would suffer for Christ, and would receive a crown of victory in His Kingdom. Mercurius recalled that his father Gordian had also confessed the Christian Faith. Although the saint had been baptized, he felt he had not devoted his life to God as his father and grandfather had done. Thus, he was weeping and lamenting when he was summoned before the emperor. consulted Mercurius on matters of state, then suggested that they offer sacrifice in the temple of Artemis. Not wishing to do this, the saint returned to his home. He was denounced as a Christian by a nobleman, whose name was Catullus. The emperor would not believe this, however, until he himself had questioned the saint. Openly declaring himself a Christian, Mercurius threw down his military belt and cloak at the emperor’s feet, and he repudiated all the honors he had received. The angel of the Lord again appeared to Saint Mercurius in the prison, encouraging him to endure every suffering for Christ. stretched the holy martyr between four pillars and lit a fire beneath him. They cut his body with knives, and so much blood flowed from his wounds that it extinguished the fire. When they threw him back into the prison nearly dead from his wounds, Saint Mercurius was healed by the Lord, demonstrating the great power of Christ to the impious pagans. Condemned to death, the saint was deemed worthy of a vision of the Lord, Who promised him a quick release from his sufferings. The Great Martyr Mercurius was beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia. His holy body emitted a fragrance like myrrh and incense. Many of the sick were healed at his tomb. after his death the warrior of Christ performed a soldier’s service for the good of the earthly Church. Saint Basil the Great (January 1) once prayed before an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, upon which Saint Mercurius was depicted as a soldier holding a spear. He asked God not to permit the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) to return from his war against the Persians and resume his oppression of Christians. The image of the holy Great Martyr Mercurius, depicted on the icon beside the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, became invisible. It reappeared later with a bloodied spear. this very moment Julian the Apostate, on his Persian campaign, was wounded by the spear of an unknown soldier, who immediately disappeared. The mortally wounded Julian, as he lay dying, cried out, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!â€ Most Holy Theotokos, through the prayers of Saint Basil, had sent Saint Mercurius to defend the Christians from the apostate Julian. May we also be preserved from God’s foes, overcoming them through the prayers and assistance of Saint Mercurius. Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9;

Armenia, 275, Mamas, Child Martyr at 15, of Caesarea, Cappadocia, Armenia, liberated by angel, Lion companion
Capadocia, 275, Child Martyr Saint Mammes of Caesarea; Mammes (Mamas, Mammas, Mammet) of Caesarea was a child-martyr of the 3rd century, who was martyred at Caesarea.[1] His parents, Theodotus and Rufina, were also martyred.[2] Mammes and Duke Alexander, tapestry by Jean Cousin the Elder, ca. 1541. in prison to parents who had been jailed for being Christians, Mammes became an orphan when his parents were executed.[3] After their death, Mammes was raised by a rich widow named Ammia, who died when Mammes was 15 years old. to legend, Mammes was tortured for his faith by the governor of Caesarea and was then sent before the Roman Emperor Aurelian, who tortured him again. The Mammes legend states that an angel then liberated him and ordered him to hide on a mountain near Caesarea. was later thrown to the lions, but he managed to make the beasts docile by preaching to them. Afterward, a lion remained with him as a companion. Accompanied by the lion, he visited Severus Alexander , who sentenced him to death.[4] He was struck in the stomach with a trident. Bleeding, Mammes dragged himself to a spot near a theater before his soul was carried into heaven by angels. Venerable Simeon the New Theologian, Commemorated on March 12;

Armenia, 277-331, Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Greater Armenia, pit for 12 years, converted Tridates III
Armenia, 277-331, Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Greater Armenia; the Illuminator[1] (c. 257 -331) is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. was a religious leader who is credited with converting Armenia from paganism to Christianity in 301. thus became the first nation to submit to Christianity as its official religion. was the son[2] of the Armenian Parthian nobles[3] Anak the Parthian and Okohe. His father, Anak, was a Prince said to be related to the Arsacid Kings of Armenia[4] or was from the House of Suren, one of the seven branches of the ruling Arsacid dynasty[5][6][7] of Sakastan.[8] Anak was charged with assassinating Khosrov II, one of the kings of the Arsacid dynasty and was put to death. Gregory narrowly escaped execution with the help of Sopia and Yevtagh, his caretakers. He was taken to Caesarea in Cappadocia where Sopia and Yevtagh hoped to raise him. Gregory was given to the Christian Holy Father Phirmilianos (Euthalius) to be educated and was brought up as a devout Christian.[citation needed] coming of age, Gregory married a woman called Miriam, a devout Christian who was the daughter of a Christian Armenian prince in Cappadocia. From their union, Miriam bore Gregory two children, their sons Vrtanes and Aristaces. Through Vrtanes, Gregory and Miriam would have further descendants and when Gregory died, Aristaces succeeded him. At some point, Miriam and Gregory separated in order that Gregory might take up a monastic life. Gregory left Cappadocia and went to Armenia in the hope of atoning for his father's crime by evangelizing his homeland.[8] that time Tiridates III, son of the late King Khosrov II, reigned. Influenced partly by the fact that Gregory was the son of his father's enemy, he ordered Gregory imprisoned for twelve (some sources indicate fourteen) years in a pit on the Ararat Plain under the present day church of Khor Virap located near the historical city Artashat in Armenia. Gregory was eventually called forth from his pit in c. 297 to restore to sanity Tiridates III, who had lost all reason after he was betrayed by Roman emperor Diocletian. Diocletian invaded and vast amounts of territory from western provinces of Greater Armenia became protectorates of Rome.[citation needed] of Christianity in Armenia[edit] 301 Gregory baptized Tiridates III along with members of the royal court and upper class as Christians. Tiridates III issued a decree by which he granted Gregory full rights to begin carrying out the conversion of the entire nation to the Christian faith. The same year Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion.[9] The newly built cathedral, the Mother Church in Etchmiadzin became and remains the spiritual and cultural center of Armenian Christianity and center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Most Armenians were baptized in the Aratsani (upper Euphrates) and Yeraskh (Arax) rivers. Two princes from Ujjain, India had founded a large kingdom in Armenia in 165 BC and they established 22 cities covering most of modern Armenia including two Hindu temples dedicated to Gisane and Demetr. According to the account of Zenob Glak,[10] one of the first disciples of Gregory the Illuminator, the temples were destroyed and the priests killed along with 1038 defenders of the raid that was ordered by Gregory.[citation needed] of the pre-Christian (traditional Indo-European) festivals and celebrations such as Tyarndarach (Trndez, associated with fire worship) and Vardavar or Vadarvar associated with water worship, that dated back thousands of years, were preserved and continued in the form of Christian celebrations and chants. In 302, Gregory received consecration as Patriarch of Armenia from Leontius of Caesarea,[11] his childhood friend.[citation needed] and death[edit] 318, Gregory appointed his second son Aristaces as the next Catholicos[11] in line of Armenia's Holy Apostolic Church to stabilize and continue strengthening Christianity not only in Armenia, but also in the Caucasus. Gregory also placed and instructed his grandson Gregory (one of the sons of Vrtanes) in charge of the holy missions to the peoples and tribes of all of the Caucasus and Caucasian Albania; the younger man was martyred by a fanatical mob while preaching in Albania.[citation needed] his later years, Gregory withdrew to a small sanctuary near Mount Sebuh (Mt. Sepuh) in the Daranali province (Manyats Ayr, Upper Armenia) with a small convent of monks, where he remained until his death.[citation needed] and Veneration[edit] his death his corpse was removed to the village of Thodanum (T'ordan, modern Doğanköy, near Erzincan). His relics were scattered near and far in the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno. In the 8th century, the iconoclast decrees in Greece caused a number of religious orders to flee the Byzantine Empire and seek refuge elsewhere. San Gregorio Armeno in Naples was built in that century over the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Ceres, by a group of nuns escaping from the Byzantine Empire with the relics of Gregory,[11] including his skull, a femur bone, his staff, the leather straps used in his torture and the manacles that held the saint.[12] The femur and manacles were returned by Pope John Paul II to Catholicos Karekin II and are now enshrined at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan.[13] The Gregoriou Monastery on Mount Athos also claims to have the skull.[14] The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon each claim to have the right arm of the saint, in an arm-shaped reliquary, which is used for the blessing the Holy Myron every seven years.[citation needed] 20 February, 1743, Nardò, Italy was hit by a devastating earthquake that destroyed almost the entire city. The only structure to survive in tact after the quake was the city’s statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator. According to the city’s registers, only 350 out of the city’s 10,000 inhabitants died in the earthquake, leading the inhabitants to believe that St. Gregory saved the city. Every year, they mark the anniversary of the earthquake by holding three days of celebrations in his honor. Relics of the saint are kept at Nardò Cathedral.[citation needed] number of prayers, and about thirty of the canonical hymns of the Armenian Church, are ascribed to Gregory the Illuminator. Homilies of his appeared for the first time in a work called Haschacnapadum at Constantinople in 1737; a century afterwards a Greek translation was published at Venice by the Mekhiterists; and they have since been edited in German by J M Schmid (Ratisbon, 1872). The original authorities for Gregory's life are Agathangelos, whose History of Tiridates was published by the Mekhitarists in 1835; Moses of Chorene, Historiae Armenicae; and Symeon the Metaphrast.[citation needed] Life of Gregory by the Vartabed Matthew was published in the Armenian language at Venice in 1749 and was translated into English by Father Malan (1868).[citation needed] the calendar of the Armenian Church, the discovery of the relics of St. Gregory is an important feast and is commemorated on the Saturday before the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.[15] Gregory is commemorated on September 30 by the Orthodox Church, which styles him "Holy Hieromartyr Gregory, Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia." He is listed on September 30 in the Roman Martyrology of the Ordinary Form of the Catholic Church; his feast day is listed as October 1 in the Extraordinary Form. He is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on March 23.[citation needed] Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Armenia, 280-290, Rhipsime or Hripsime, God preserved her virginity from King Tridates, made her stronger
Armenia, 280-290, Rhipsime orHripsime; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Ripsimia suffered martyrdom in the year 292, during the reign of Diocletian (284-304). She was very beautiful in terms of her outward appearance, and modest in her character. those days, Diocletian sent men throughout the Empire to find a maiden fairer than all others for him to marry. found Saint Ripsimia, who had consecrated her virginity to Christ, and was living in a community of women in Asia Minor, of which Saint Gaiane was the Superior. messengers had a portrait of Ripsimia made and sent it to Diocletian. The Emperor was captivated by her beauty, and he sent her a letter, asking her to be his wife. Ripsimia, who had Christ as her heavenly Bridegroom, did not want to marry anyone else. Therefore, the nuns decided to take refuge in Arnenia. On the way, they endured hunger, thirst, and many other trials. settled in a vineyard on the slopes of Mount Ararat, and the stronger women would go into the city to work for people in order to earn money to purchase food and other necessities. All the women were willing to endure exile, and to bear every burden and sorrow for the sake of purity. Diocletian was informed that Ripsimia had fled to Armenia, he wrote to his friend King Tiridates saying, "If you find her, send her to me, or, if you wish, marry her yourself." sent his men to search for Ripsimia, and when they found her they surrounded the area so that she could not escape. When he learned how beautiful she was, Tiridates sent her presents and raiment worthy of a queen, so that she might appear before him in a suitable fashion. Ripsimia, however, acting in accordance with the instructions of Saint Gaiane, who had raised her from childhood, rejected these gifts and refused to go to the King. Saint Gaiane told the messengers that these virgins were already betrothed to Christ, and that it was impossible for them to enter into an earthly marriage. the messengers told Tiridates what had happened, he became very angry. He sent one of his princes and an army of soldiers to kill all the virgins and to bring Ripsimia to him by force. When she saw the soldiers approach the virgins with drawn swords, Saint Ripsimia told the Prince, "Take me to your King, but do not harm these virgins." Ripsimia was taken to the royal bedchamber, weeping and praying that God would preserve her virginity. Recalling how He had helped His servants in the past, how He saved Israel from Pharoah's hands, keeping Jonah in the belly of the whale for three days, and how He protected the Three Holy Youths in the fiery furnace, she believed that He would also rescue her from Tiridates. the King entered the chamber he attempted to rape her, but with God's help she became stronger than Tiridates, and he was not able to harm her. Leaving the chamber, the King commanded that Saint Gaiane be brought to him, since he had discovered that she had raised Ripsimia. The King told her to persuade Ripsimia to submit to him, but when the Eldress spoke to her she counseled her to preserve her virginity, which she had dedicated to Christ, and to remember the crown which her Bridegroom had prepared for her. Finally, she said that if the King should put her to death, she would enjoy even greater favor from Christ. that he had accomplished nothing, even though he had struggled with Ripsimia for a long time, the King began to tremble and roll around on the floor. That night, Saint Ripsimia escaped and fled from the city. She found the sisters and told them how she had remained undefiled. next morning some soldiers found Ripsimia and arranged a cruel death for her. First they cut out her tongue, stripped her, tied her hands and feet to columns, and burned her with candles. Then they tore her stomach open with a sharp stone, so that her entrails fell out. Finally, they plucked her eyes out and cut off her members. Having completed her contest, she departed to Christ, the bestower of crowns. Eldress Galane and two other virgins suffered even greater torments. The pagans drilled through their legs, suspended them upside down, and skinned them alive. Cutting their necks from behind, they pulled their tongues out and cut them off. Next, their stomachs were cut with sharp stones so that their entrails fell to the ground. Finally, they were beheaded. other Virgin Martyrs (some sources say there were thirty-five) suffered horrible tortures, and died by the sword, then their bodies were thrown to the wild animals. addition to these holy women, seventy men who were hiding in that area also suffered martyrdom. St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14;

Armenia, 280-337. Saint James of Nisibis, Jacob, Gregory's Kin, Armenia (Tigris River 3)
Armenia, 280-337. Saint James of Nisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3) Nisibis (Mesopotamia); St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated January 28 ;

Armenia, 286-330, C King Tiridates III, The Great, first Christian state, C by Gregory
Armenian King, 286-330, Tiridates III of Armenia, The Great; Icon of the Mother of God œthe HealerÂ, Commemorated on September 18; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30 ; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Armenia, 290-340, Macrina the Elder (Iris River in Pontus near Kelkit River and Neocaeserea)
Byzantium, 290-340, Macrina the Elder (somewhere on Iris River) ; Byzantium, 350-379, Macrina the Younger (somewhere on Iris River); MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ;

Armenia, 290-305, Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Comana, Fool f Christ, Coal Collier, then Bishop a Martyr
Komana (Comana), Pontica; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; Alexander, Bishop of Comana, lived during the third century not far from Neocaesarea. He studied the Holy Scripture and knew many scientific disciplines. Taking upon himself the exploit of holy foolishness, the saint lived in poverty, selling coal in the city square. Many, seeing his face always black from the grime of the coal dust, sneered at him with contempt. the Bishop of Comana happened to die, then among the candidates put forth for election as new bishop -- one was a man illustrious, others were learned or eloquent, while yet others were rich. Then Saint Gregory Thaumaturgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea (November 17), having been invited for the ordination of their choice, pointed out, that a bishop ought to have not only outward worthiness and distinction, but foremost of all, a pure heart and holy life. These words caused some to laugh saying: “If outward appearance and nobility of origin be for naught, then even Alexander the collier might be made bishop”. Gregory perceived that it was not without the Providence of God that this man came to be mentioned, and he asked that they call him. The appearance of the saint at the gathering evoked laughter. Having respectfully bowed to Saint Gregory, Saint Alexander stood there deeply absorbed in himself and ignoring the sneering: Saint Gregory put him to the test, and the collier was obliged to reveal that he was formerly a philosopher, and had studied Holy Scripture, but that for the sake of God he had assumed upon himself voluntary poverty and humility. Saint Gregory then took the collier to his own lodging, where he washed off the grime, and gave him clean clothes. Returning then to the assembled people, Saint Gregory in front of everyone began to put to him questions from Holy Scripture, to which Saint Alexander answered like a knowledgeable and wise pastor. Seeing this, all were astonished at his humility and with one accord they elected him their bishop. Gregory ordained him priest, and later bishop. After the imposition of hands the new bishop preached a sermon to the people, full of power and the grace of God. And everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent them such a wise pastor. Under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) the saint bravely confessed Christ, and refused to worship idols. After tortures they threw him into a fire, and there he departed to God. According to other sources, Saint Alexander suffered instead under the emperor Decius (249-251). St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 20 ; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3;

Armenia, 292-303, Great Martyr George of Cappadocia, Armenia, Nino's Kin
Cappadocia, 290-303, Great Martyr George of Cappadocia; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23;

Armenia, 292-340, Armenian Saint, Nino, George's Kin, to Georgia for the Robe
Armenian Saint, 296-340, Nino; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14;

Armenia, 297-361, Georgian Saint, Salome of Armenia, helper and close companion of Nino, a Queen in Georgia
Armenia, Georgian Saint, 297-361, Salome of Armenia ; Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Founding of the Church of St George, Commemorated on November 10; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15; Salome of Ujarma and Perozhavra of Sivnia were the helpers and closest companions of Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgia. Saint Nino herself had converted them to the Christian Faith. was the wife of Revi, the son of King Mirian, and Perozhavra was married to the ruler of the Kartli region. Both women were queens, but they succeeded in serving Saint Nino while retaining their imperial roles. Saint Nino taught them to pray, and the women fasted regularly and performed good works. As a result of their influential social status, the two queens were able to help Saint Nino tremendously in spreading the Christian Faith. the conversion of Kartli, with inspiration from Saint Nino and by the order of King Mirian, Saint Salome erected a cross in Ujarma in the Kakheti region. Saint Nino fell ill in the village of Bodbe, the queens Salome and Perozhavra stood by her bed and wept bitterly at having to part with their beloved teacher and healer. They entreated Saint Nino, who was finishing her last hours on this earth, saying, “Tell us, our Queen, how did you come to our country to free our souls, and where were you raised? Tell us how to continue your good works. You who have delivered us from bondage to the enemy, tell us, what shall we do?” the information that Saint Nino then related to them, Saints Salome and Perozhavra wrote The Life of Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgia. The Apostolic Orthodox Church of Georgia commemorates them on January 15, the day following the commemoration of Saint Nino. The Entrance of St Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia, Commemorated on May 19; Glorification of the Venerable Zebulon, the father of St Nino Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on May 20 ;

Armenia, 300-399, 4th Century Folder, St Theodore Stratelates of Pontus, St Peter of Sebaste

Armenia, 301, Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, at Melitene, Armenia
Armenia, 301, Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, at Melitene, Armenia; Kyriake was the only child of Dorotheus and Eusebia. Since she was born on a Sunday (Kyriake, in Greek), she was named Kyriake. day a wealthy magistrate wished to betroth Kyriake to his son. Not only was she young and beautiful, but her parents were wealthy, and the magistrate wished to control that wealth. The magistrate went to her parents to request her hand, but Saint Kyriake told him that she wished to remain a virgin, for she had dedicated herself to Christ. magistrate was angered by her words, so he went to the emperor Diocletian to denounce the saint and her parents as Christians who mocked the idols, and refused to offer sacrifice to them. sent soldiers to arrest the family and have them brought before him. He asked them why they would not honor the gods which he himself honored. They told him that these were false gods, and that Christ was the one true God. was beaten until the soldiers grew tired and were unable to continue. Since neither flattery nor torment had any effect, Diocletian sent Dorotheus and Eusebia to Melitene on the eastern border between Cappadocia and Armenia. Then he sent Saint Kyriake to be interrogated by his son-in-law and co-ruler Maximian at Nicomedia. urged her not to throw her life away, promising her wealth and marriage to one of Diocletian’s relatives if she would worship the pagan gods. Saint Kyriake replied that she would never renounce Christ, nor did she desire worldly riches. Enraged by her bold answer, Maximian had her flogged. The soldiers who administered this punishment became tired, and had to be replaced three times. by his failure to overcome a young woman, Maximian sent Saint Kyriake to Hilarion, the eparch of Bithynia, at Chalcedon. He told Hilarion to either convert Kyriake to paganism, or send her back to him. the same promises and threats that Diocletian and Maximian had made before, Hilarion was no more successful than they were. Saint Kyriake challenged him to do his worst, because Christ would help her to triumph. The saint was suspended by her hair for several hours, while soldiers burned her body with torches. Not only did she endure all this, she also seemed to become more courageous under torture. Finally, she was taken down and put into a prison cell. night Christ appeared to her and healed her wounds. When Hilarion saw her the next day, he declared that she had been healed by the gods because they pitied her. Then Hilarion urged her to go to the temple to give thanks to the gods. She told him that she had been healed by Christ, but agreed to go to the temple. The eparch rejoiced, thinking that he had defeated her. the temple, Saint Kyriake prayed that God would destroy the soulless idols. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake which toppled the idols, shattering them to pieces. Everyone fled the temple in fear, leaving Hilarion behind. Instead of recognizing the power of Christ, the eparch blasphemed the true God as the destroyer of his pagan gods. He was struck by a bolt of lightning and died on the spot. Kyriake was tortured again by Apollonius, who succeeded Hilarion as eparch. When she was cast into a fire, the flames were extinguished. When she was thrown to wild beasts, they became tame and gentle. Therefore, Apollonius sentenced her to death by the sword. She was permitted time to pray, so she asked God to receive her soul, and to remember those who honored her martyrdom. as Saint Kyriake ended her prayer, angels took her soul before the soldiers could strike off her head. Pious Christians took her relics and buried them in a place of honor.

Armenia, 301-319, Pontine Saint, Theodore Stratelates, from Heraculea
Pontus, 300-319, Pontine Saint, Theodore Stratelates; Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates œthe GeneralÂ, Commemorated on February 8; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (œthe RecruitÂ), Commemorated on February 17; Translation of the relics of the Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates, Commemorated on June 8;

Armenia, 305-306, Pontine Saint, Theodore the Recruit, Kolyva, from Alasium or Amasea
Armenia, 305-306, Pontine Saint, Theodore the Recruit, Kolava, from Alasium or Amasea; Pontus, 300-319, Pontine Saint, Theodore Stratelates; Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates œthe GeneralÂ, Commemorated on February 8; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (œthe RecruitÂ), Commemorated on February 17; Translation of the relics of the Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates, Commemorated on June 8;

Armenia, 308-324, Basil of Amasea, strengthened christians, opposed Licinius, Glaphyra's letter, Jesus, reattached head
Armenia, 308-324, Basil of Amasea; Hieromartyr Basil, Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 26; Basileus suffered during the reign of Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. He was elected to the See of Amaseia in the IV century, and participated in the Synods of Ankyra and Neocaesarea in 314 and 315. Saint Athanasios called him "the Great" because Saint Basileus defended the Faith against heresy. He may have influenced Saint Constantine's decision to issue the Edict of Milan (313), granting religious toleration to Christians, Deceitfully, Licinius also signed the Edict, but he hated the Christians and continued to persecute them. Basileus was distinguished for his life of faith and his tireless activities in the performance of his duties. He was always preaching, giving counsel, comforting, supporting, and strengthening the souls of the Christians against the world of idol-worshippers. For this reason, the pagan priests and rulers hated him. In 322, when Licinius launched his persecution against the Christians, Bishop Basileus opposed him. further provoked the wrath of Constantine's co-Emperor Licinius by hiding the young virgin Glaphyra, the handmaiden of his wife Empress Constantia, the sister of Saint Constantine. The pious maiden, who came from a noble Italian family, angrily rejected the Emperor's advances, asking Empress Constantia for her help. She dressed Glaphyra in men's clothes and told her to leave Nikomedia in secret, giving her a large amount of gold, silver and precious stones. Those in the palace heard her tell Licinius that the girl had gone mad, and lay at death's door. a long journey, Saint Glaphyra found herself in Amaseia, where she found shelter in the house of a pious Christian. There she was visited by Saint Basileus who advised her to lead a secluded life, so as not to bring any trouble upon the local Christians from the ruler of the city. At the time, Bishop Basileus was building a church, and the righteous Glaphyra donated all her money to him. She wrote to Constantia telling her where she was, and asking for more gold to be sent to complete the work. The Empress gladly fulfilled her request, but Glaphyra's letter accidentally fell into the hands of Licinius. He ordered the ruler of Amaseia to send Saint Basileus and Saint Glaphyra to him at Nikomedia. However, Saint Glaphyra reposed before the order was received, and therefore, only Saint Basileus was sent to the Emperor. Two deacons, Parthenios and Theotimos accompanied him to Nikomedia. Nikomedia, Bishop Basileus was imprisoned, and the Deacons lodged with a Christian named Elpidophoros. On the eve of the trial Saint Basileus saw Elpidophoros and the Deacons, and told them how the Lord had appeared to him that night, informing him how he would be put to death. He asked the Deacons not to grieve for him and he told them to return to Amaseia. The holy hierarch predicted that Elpidophoros would receive a reward in Heaven for taking care of the Deacons. the trial, Licinius accused Saint Basileus of hiding Glaphyra, but promised him forgiveness and much honor if he would just sacrifice to their "gods." Having achieved nothing, Licinius ordered the soldiers to beat the Saint, and then behead him. Thus, he received a crown of glory from Christ God (ca. 322). the execution, soldiers placed the Martyr's body and head into a boat and, sailing far out to sea, they threw the relics into the water in different places, just as it was foretold to Saint Basileus in prison. That night an Angel appeared three times to Elpidophoros, saying that Saint Basileus was expecting his friends at Sinópē. While on his way to Sinópē the Angel appeared to him again with instructions as to where in the sea he should look for the Martyr's body. At the request of Elpidophoros, fishermen pulled the Saint's body out of the net. Miraculously, the head was reattached to the body. On the neck was there a scar made by the sword, and from the relics there came a wondrous fragrance. Some Christians took them to Amaseia and buried them in the church which the Saint had built. Greek Life of Saint Basileus was written by the priest John of Nikomedia, who visited the Martyr in prison and witnessed his execution. He also received information about Saint Basileus from Elpidophoros and the Deacons. The Life says that Saint Basileus was beheaded on March 28. His relics were found at sea after 25 days, i.e. April 21 or 22. They arrived in Amaseia and were buried five days later, on April 26. Basileus is also commemorated on April 30 (the transfer of his relics). Righteous Virgin Martyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Uncovering of the relics of Saint Basil, Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 30

Armenia, 308-324, Saint Glaphyra, Licinius' passion, wife's maid, to Armenia w money, Glaphyra' letter
Armenia, 308-324, Basil of Amasea; Hieromartyr Basil, Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 26; Righteous Virgin Martyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Virgin Glaphyra. Licinius burned with passion for Glaphyra, a maidservant of his wife Constantia.The holy virgin reported this to the empress and sought her help. Dressing her in men’s attire and providing her with money, the empress Constantia sent her to Pontus in the company of a devoted servant. They told the emperor that Glaphyra had gone mad and lay near death. On her way to Armenia, Saint Glaphyra stopped in Amasea, where the local bishop, Saint Basil, gave her shelter. this time the saint was building a church in the city. Saint Glaphyra donated all the money that she had received from Constantia for its construction, and in a letter to the empress she asked her to send additional funds to complete the church. The empress fulfilled her request. However, Saint Glaphyra’s letter fell into the hands of the emperor. The enraged Licinius ordered the governor of Amasea to send him the hierarch and the maidservant. Saint Glaphyra died before the edict arrived in Amasea, and Saint Basil was sent to the emperor. Two deacons, Parthenius and Theotimos, followed after him and lodged near the prison where the saint was held. pious Christian Elpidephoros bribed the jailer and each night he visited the saint with Parthenius and Theotimos. On the eve of the saint’s trial, he sang Psalms and chanted, “if I should sojourn at the extremity of the sea... even there Thy hand would guide me, and Thy right hand would hold me” (Ps 138/139:9-10). These were prophetic words. times he broke down in tears. The deacons were afraid that the saint would not be able to endure the coming torments, but he calmed them. the trial Saint Basil resolutely refused the emperor’s offer to become a pagan priest, and so he was sentenced to death. Elpidephoros gave the soldiers money, and they allowed the saint to pray and to speak with his friends before execution. Then the saint said to the executioner, “Friend, do as you have been ordered.” Calmly, he bent his neck beneath the sword. the martyr had been beheaded, Elpidephoros tried to ransom his relics from the soldiers. But the soldiers were afraid of the emperor and they threw the saint’s body and head into the sea. After this, an angel of God appeared to Elpidephoros three times in a dream, saying, “Bishop Basil is in Sinope and awaits you.” this call, Elpidephoros and the deacons sailed to Sinope, and there they hired fishermen to lower their nets. When they lowered the net on the suggestion of the deacons Theotimos and Parthenius, they came up with nothing. Then Elpidephoros declared that he would ask them to lower the net in the name of the God Whom he worshiped. This time, the net brought up the body of Saint Basil. The saint’s head was attached to his body once more, and only the gash on his neck indicated the blow of the sword. The relics of Saint Basil were taken to Amasea and buried in the church he built.

Armenia, 313-320, Serbian, Martyr, Sebaste, Armenia, helped the 40 soldiers, his dead servant came to life 15 yrs
Armenia, 313-320, Serbian, Martyr, Sebaste, Armenia; Sebaste, Armenia ; Martyr Severian of Sebaste, Commemorated on September 9 ; Holy Martyr Severian (+ 320) suffered for Christ in Armenian Sebaste during the governorship of Licius, when Christians were persecuted under the emperor Licinius. Even before his martyr’s deed, Saint Severian had shown sincere compassion for 40 Christian soldiers, suffering for confessing the Name of Christ. He visited the captives in prison, raised their spirits, and appealed to their valor and stoic strength. These martyrs met their death at Lake Sebaste (March 9). a year later, Severian was also brought to trial for confessing the Christian Faith, and he was subjected to cruel tortures. Deeply devoted to the will of God, Saint Severian called out to the Lord during his torment, imploring Him for the strength to endure the suffering and to complete his deed of martyrdom. intense torture, and unbroken in his faith, the holy martyr was suspended from the city wall with one stone chained around his neck, and another chained to his feet, and so he died. His body was carried by Christians of Sebaste to his home, where the local inhabitants thronged to take their leave of him and to ask for his holy prayers. Amidst all this a dead man who had not yet been buried arose, a servant of Saint Severian, who got up from his deathbed to follow his master’s final path. He continued to live another fifteen years, never leaving the burial place of the holy martyr. 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9; the year 313 Saint Constantine the Great issued an edict granting Christians religious freedom, and officially recognizing Christianity as equal with paganism under the law. But his co-ruler Licinius was a pagan, and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As Licinius prepared his army to fight Constantine, he decided to remove Christians from his army, fearing mutiny. of the military commanders of that time in the Armenian city of Sebaste was Agricola, a zealous champion of idolatry. Under his command was a company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished themselves in many battles. When these Christian soldiers refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up in prison. The soldiers occupied themselves with prayer and psalmody, and during the night they heard a voice saying, “Persevere until the end, then you shall be saved.” the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola. This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor, their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their emperor. days later, the renowned judge Licius arrived at Sebaste and put the soldiers on trial. The saints steadfastly answered, “Take not only our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more precious to us than Christ God.” Licius then ordered his servants to stone the holy martyrs. But the stones missed the saints and returned to strike those who had thrown them. One stone thrown by Licius hit Agricola in the face, smashing his teeth. The torturers realized that the saints were guarded by some invisible power. In prison, the soldiers spent the night in prayer and again they heard the voice of the Lord comforting them: “He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you shall obtain imperishable crowns.” the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of the torturer, but the soldiers remained unyielding. was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy soldiers, threw them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to prevent them from coming out of the water. In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set up on the shore. During the first hour of the night, when the cold had become unbearable, one of the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but no sooner had he stepped over the threshold, then he fell down dead. the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown. then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to them, “I too am a Christian,” and he joined the martyrs. Standing in the water he prayed, “Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer with Your servants.” Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head. the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were still alive, and their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son to persevere until death. put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him on the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not gather them up. days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to Saint Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious martyrs by night and buried them with honor. is a pious custom of baking “skylarks” (pastries shaped like skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty “skylarks” are prepared in honor of the Forty Martyrs. names of the forty martyrs are: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclius, Smaragdus, Eunocius (Or Eunicus), Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Priscus, Theodulus, Eutychius, John, Xanthius, Helianus, Sisinius, Aggias, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecdicius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontuis, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius, and Meliton.

Armenia, 325-375, Emmelia of Caesarea, mother of 5 Saints
Armenia, 325-375, Emmelia of Caesarea, mother of 5 Saints; Saint Emilia, Mother of Saint Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1;

Armenia, 326-373, Saint, Ephrem the Syrian, Hymn writer, theologian, popular, enter into yourself
Syria, 326-373, Saint, Ephrem the Syrian; the Syrian (Classical Syriac:; c. 306 – 373), also known as Saint Ephrem, Ephrem of Edessa or Ephrem of Nisibis, ----------------------------------was a prominent Christian theologian and writer, who is revered as one of the most notable hymnographers of the Eastern Christianity. ------------------------------------ He was born in Nisibis, served as a deacon and later lived in Edessa.[1][2] is venerated as a saint by all traditional Churches. He is especially revered in Syriac Christianity, most notaby in the Syriac Orthodox Church, and also counted as a Venerable Father (i.e., a sainted Monk) in the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on 28 January and on the Saturday of the Venerable Fathers. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. wrote a wide variety of hymns, poems, and sermons in verse, as well as prose exegesis. These were works of practical theology for the edification of the Church in troubled times. So popular were his works, that, for centuries after his death, Christian authors wrote hundreds of pseudepigraphal works in his name. He has been called the most significant of all of the fathers of the Syriac-speaking church tradition.[3] The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28;

Armenia, 326-373. Saint Ephrem of Nisibis, preached repentence, anti arian, St James, teacher, writer, hymns
Armenia, 326-373. Saint Ephrem of Nisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3) Armenia, 280-337. Saint James of Nisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3) Nisibis (Mesopotamia); St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated January 28 ; Ephraim the Syrian, a teacher of repentance, was born at the beginning of the fourth century in the city of Nisibis (Mesopotamia) into the family of impoverished toilers of the soil. His parents raised their son in piety, but from his childhood he was known for his quick temper and impetuous character. He often had fights, acted thoughtlessly, and even doubted God’s Providence. He finally recovered his senses by the grace of God, and embarked on the path of repentance and salvation. he was unjustly accused of stealing a sheep and was thrown into prison. He heard a voice in a dream calling him to repent and correct his life. After this, he was acquitted of the charges and set free. young man ran off to the mountains to join the hermits. This form of Christian asceticism had been introduced by a disciple of Saint Anthony the Great, the Egyptian desert dweller Eugenius. James of Nisibis (January 13) was a noted ascetic, a preacher of Christianity and denouncer of the Arians. Saint Ephraim became one of his disciples. Under the direction of the holy hierarch, Saint Ephraim attained Christian meekness, humility, submission to God’s will, and the strength to undergo various temptations without complaint. James transformed the wayward youth into a humble and conrite monk. Realizing the great worth of his disciple, he made use of his talents. He trusted him to preach sermons, to instruct children in school, and he took Ephraim with him to the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea (in the year 325). Saint Ephraim was in obedience to Saint James for fourteen years, until the bishop’s death in 338. the capture of Nisibis by the Persians in 363, Saint Ephraim went to a monastery near the city of Edessa. Here he saw many great ascetics, passing their lives in prayer and psalmody. Their caves were solitary shelters, and they fed themselves with a certain plant. became especially close to the ascetic Julian (October 18), who was of one mind with him. Saint Ephraim combined asceticism with a ceaseless study of the Word of God, taking from it both solace and wisdom for his soul. The Lord gave him a gift of teaching, and people began to come to him, wanting to hear his counsel, which produced compunction in the soul, since he began with self-accusation. Bot, wrh verbally and in writing, Saint Ephraim instructed everyone in repentance, faith and piety, and he denounced the Arian heresy, which at that time was causing great turmoil. Pagans who heard the preaching of the saint were converted to Christianity. also wrote the first Syriac commentary on the Pentateuch (i.e. “Five Books”) of Moses. He wrote many prayers and hymns, thereby enriching the Church’s liturgical services. Famous prayers of Saint Ephraim are to the Most Holy Trinity, to the Son of God, and to the Most Holy Theotokos. He composed hymns for the Twelve Great Feasts of the Lord (the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism, the Resurrection), and funeral hymns. Saint Ephraim’s Prayer of Repentance, “O Lord and Master of my life...”, is recited during Great Lent, and it summons Christians to spiritual renewal. ancient times the Church has valued the works of Saint Ephraim. His works were read publicly in certain churches after the Holy Scripture, as Saint Jerome tells us. At present, the Church Typikon prescribes certain of his instructions to be read on the days of Lent. Among the prophets, Saint David is the preeminent psalmodist; among the Fathers of the Church, Saint Ephraim the Syrian is the preeminent man of prayer. His spiritual experience made him a guide for monastics and a help to the pastors of Edessa. Saint Ephraim wrote in Syriac, but his works were very early translated into Greek and Armenian. Translations into Latin and Slavonic were made from the Greek text. many of Saint Ephraim’s works we catch glimpses of the life of the Syrian ascetics, which was centered on prayer and working in various obediences for the common good of the brethren. The outlook of all the Syrian ascetics was the same. The monks believed that the goal of their efforts was communion with God and the acquisition of divine grace. For them, the present life was a time of tears, fasting and toil. “If the Son of God is within you, then His Kingdom is also within you. Thus, the Kingdom of God is within you, a sinner. Enter into yourself, search diligently and without toil you shall find it. Outside of you is death, and the door to it is sin. Enter into yourself, dwell within your heart, for God is there.” spiritual sobriety, the developing of good within man’s soul gives him the possibility to take upon himself a task like blessedness, and a self-constraint like sanctity. The requital is presupposed in the earthly life of man, it is an undertaking of spiritual perfection by degrees. Whoever grows himself wings upon the earth, says Saint Ephraim, is one who soars up into the heights; whoever purifies his mind here below, there glimpses the Glory of God. In whatever measure each one loves God, he is, by God’s love, satiated to fullness according to that measure. Man, cleansing himself and attaining the grace of the Holy Spirit while still here on earth, has a foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven. To attain to life eternal, in the teachings of Saint Ephraim, does not mean to pass over from one realm of being into another, but rather to discover “the heavenly,” spiritual condition of being. Eternal life is not bestown on man through God’s one-sided efforts, but rather, it constantly grows like a seed within him by his efforts, toils and struggles. pledge within us of “theosis” (or “deification”) is the Baptism of Christ, and the main force that drives the Christian life is repentance. Saint Ephraim was a great teacher of repentance. The forgiveness of sins in the Mystery of Repentance, according to his teaching, is not an external exoneration, not a forgetting of the sins, but rather their complete undoing, their annihilation. The tears of repentance wash away and burn away the sin. Moreover, they (i.e. the tears) enliven, they transfigure sinful nature, they give the strength “to walk in the way of the the Lord’s commandments,” encouraging hope in God. In the fiery font of repentance, the saint wrote, “you sail yourself across, O sinner, you resurrect yourself from the dead.” Ephraim, accounting himself as the least and worst of all, went to Egypt at the end of his life to see the efforts of the great ascetics. He was accepted there as a welcome guest and received great solace from conversing with them. On his return journey he visited at Caesarea in Cappadocia with Saint Basil the Great (January 1), who wanted to ordain him a priest, but he considered himself unworthy of the priesthood. At the insistence of Saint Basil, he consented only to be ordained as a deacon, in which rank he remained until his death. Later on, Saint Basil invited Saint Ephraim to accept a bishop’s throne, but the saint feigned madness in order to avoid this honor, humbly regarding himself as unworthy of it. his return to his own Edessa wilderness, Saint Ephraim hoped to spend the rest of his life in solitude, but divine Providence again summoned him to serve his neighbor. The inhabitants of Edessa were suffering from a devastating famine. By the influence of his word, the saint persuaded the wealthy to render aid to those in need. From the offerings of believers he built a poor-house for the poor and sick. Saint Ephraim then withdrew to a cave near Edessa, where he remained to the end of his days. EPHREM OF EDESSA, DEACON AND HYMN-WRITER (10 JUNE 373), Commemorated June 10;

Armenia, 330?-394, Egyptian John the Anchorite, the Hermit, lived 10 years in well with snakes, angel brought food through P
Egypt, 330?-394, Egyptian Saint, John the Anchorite, John the Hermit; Venerable John the Anchorite of Egypt, Commemorated on March 29; John the Anchorite: During a persecution against Christians, the devout widow Juliania of Armenia hid from pursuers together with her two young children John and Themistea. She taught her children to pray and to read the Holy Scriptures. time to time John secretly visited a nearby monastery, thereby placing himself in danger. Once, a pious old man advised him to find a more secluded place for prayer. Returning home, the saint told his mother that he was going to visit the Elder. Thinking that her son would soon return, she let him go. went to the desert-dweller Pharmutios and received his blessing to live alone in the wilderness. The young ascetic found an abandoned well, which was filled with snakes, scorpions and other vile creatures. He lowered himself into the well and lived there for ten years in fasting, vigil, and prayer. angel who brought food to the hermit Pharmutios also brought bread for Saint John. The angel did not bring the bread directly to John, however, lest the young ascetic become filled with pride. Food was sent to him through his spiritual Father, Pharmutios. John had many temptations from the devil to test him. Demons assumed the appearance of his mother, his sister, his relatives and acquaintances in order to sadden the ascetic and compel him to give up his ascetic struggles. With tears they approached the well one after the other, begging Saint John to leave with them. All this time the saint did not cease to pray. Finally he said, “Be gone from me,” and the demons vanished. John lived in the well until the time of his blessed repose. Through God’s providence Saint Chrysikhios, who had struggled in the desert for thirty years, came to bury him. On the eve of his repose, Saint John told Chrysikhios of his life and struggles for salvation. After his death, numerous miracles occurred at the place of his ascetic deeds.

Armenia, 330-339, C King, Khosrov III the Small, prosperity, Dvin the capital, 2 generals, Pro Sassanid groups
Armenia, 330-339, Khosrov III the Small; III the Small (Kotak means small, flourished second half of the 3rd century & first half of the 4th century, ruled 330–339) was a Prince who served as a Roman Client King of Arsacid Armenia. was the son and successor of King Tiridates III and Queen Ashkhen. His paternal aunt was the Princess Khosrovidukht; his sister was Princess Salome and had an unnamed sister who married St. Husik I, one of the earlier Catholicoi of the Armenian Apostolic Church. received the epithet Kotak because he was a man of short stature. He was the namesake of his paternal grandfather Khosrov II of Armenia, and the Parthian and Armenian monarchs of this name, see Khosrau. lacked the moral and physical vigour of his father,[1] yet he was very tactful, diplomatic and was backed by St. Vrtanes I.[2] under his rule enjoyed a period of prosperity. He founded a hunting ground (which was named after him) and the city of Dvin, which later became the Armenian capital.[3] Khosrov's reign, two generals, Vache Mamikonian and Vahan Amatuni, distinguished themselves for their valor in battle, often coming to help the king. During these years, pro-Sassanid and anti-Mamikonian sentiment grew in Armenia and so did anti-Roman sentiment. Pro-Sassanid groups gained popularity so much so that they were successful in assassinating Catholicos St. Aristaces I, second son of Gregory the Illuminator. The Sassanid King Shapur II of the Persians invaded Armenia twice and did gain some territory. Vache Mamikonian was killed in those battles and was later named a saint by the Armenian Apostolic Church for his sacrifice. Khosrov died in 339 and was succeeded by his son Tigranes VII (Tiran).

Armenia, 331-383, Cappadocian Goth Arian Saint, Ulfilas
Cappadocia, 331-383, Cappadocian Goth Arian Saint, Ulfilas; REMIGIUS OF RHEIMS, BISHOP, APOSTLE OF THE FRANKS (1 OCTOBER 530);

Armenia, 335-385, Theosebia the Deaconess, one of the 5
Byzantium, 335-385, Theosebia the Deaconess; Armenia, 325-375, Emmelia of Caesarea, mother of 5 Saints; Saint Emilia, Mother of Saint Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1;

Armenia, 339-350, C King, Tiran, lukewarm christian, Arian, k st Husic I, Shapur II hostage, blinded, nobles Rome d S II
Armenia, 339-350, Tigranes II, Tiran of Armenia; (flourished second half of the 3rd century & first half of the 4th century) known also as Tigranes VII or Tigranes[1] and Diran[2] was a Prince who served as a Roman Client King of Arsacid Armenia from 339 until 350. He was a contemporary and is associated with the life of Saint Sarkis the Warrior and his son, Saint Mardiros. was the son, successor and was among the children born to Khosrov III Kotak[3][4] by an unnamed mother, thus was a grandson of Tiridates III of Armenia[3] and his wife, Ashkhen. He was the maternal uncle of St. Nerses I who would become a future Catholicos of Armenia. Tiran was named in honor of the monarchs named Tigranes of the Artaxiad Dynasty. The name Tigranes, was the most common royal name in the Artaxiad Dynasty and was among the most ancient names of the Kings of Armenia.[5] his father died in 339, Tiran succeeded his father as King of Armenia. Little is known on life, prior to becoming King of Armenia. was a lukewarm Christian[1] and was the first Arsacid ruling monarch to aggressively pursue a policy on Arianism.[6] Although Tiran was endorsed by the Christian aristocrats of Armenia, the King was a disappointment, intellectually and morally.[4] The reign of Tiran was blemished by conflicts both internally and externally. had antagonised the clergy and the great Mamikonian family, who had been the mainstay to the throne.[4] He had many disagreements with the reigning Catholicos and his relation St. Husik I. St. Husik I had criticised Tiran on his public and private conduct.[4] This led Tiran in ordering the death of St. Husik I who was beaten to death on Tiran's orders, because the Catholicos denied him entry to a church in Sophene on a feast day[4] in 347. massacred two leading Armenian families the Ardzruni and Reshtuni, who he accused in having secret relations with the Sassanids and tried on various occasions which failed to crush the power of the Armenian feudal lords[7] which were among his acts of committed barbarity.[7] Tiran's foreign policy he was mainly concerned with the Sassanid King Shapur II.[3] Shapur II launched a war on Rome and her allies, firstly by persecuting the Christians that lived in Persia and Mesopotamia.[7] Shapur II's war by capturing these territories began to dealt a severe blow to Roman prestige in the East.[7] II invaded Armenia with his army and eventually took Tiran, his Queen and their family as hostages.[7][3] Tiran and his family were betrayed by his chamberlain to Shapur II.[7][3] Tiran and his family became Sassanid political prisoners, which Tiran was blinded and thrown into prison, after Tiran was accused by Shapur II of collusion with Rome.[7] Armenian nobles infuriated by the brutality of Shapur II and his treatment of Tiran and his family, took up arms and fought against Shapur II and his army with assistance from the Romans.[7] They successfully drove Shapur II and his army out from Armenia. After Shapur II was defeated, he had signed a treaty and agreed to release Tiran and his family from prison. As Tiran was depressed and blinded, he abdicated his throne and his second son Arsaces II (Arshak II), succeeded him father as Armenian King in 350. married an unnamed woman by whom he had three sons and a daughter, who were: Artaxias,[8] Arsaces II (Arshak II),[8] Tiridates[8] and Eranyak.[9]

Armenia, 340-379, Syrian Eusebius of Samosata, Orthodox, consiliatory decree, both hands, concealed identity, deposed 2x
Syrian Saint, 340-379, Eusebius of Samosata ; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Hieromartyr Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, stood firmly for the Orthodox Confession of Faith proclaimed at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in the year 325. For this he underwent persecution by the Arians, being repeatedly deprived of his see and banished. The emperor Constantius (337-361), patron of the Arians, learned that Saint Eusebius kept a conciliar decree regarding the election of the Orthodox Archbishop Meletius to the See of Antioch. He commanded him to give up the decree. The saint boldly refused to do as ordered. The enraged emperor sent a message that if he did not give up the decree, then his right hand would be cut off. Saint Eusebius stretched out both hands to the emissary saying, “Cut them off, but I will not give up the Decree of the Council, which denounces the wickedness and iniquity of the Arians.” The emperor Constantius marveled at the audacity of the bishop, but did not harm him. the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363), even more difficult times ensued, and an open persecution against Christians began. Eusebius, having concealed his identity, went about in the garb of a soldier across the whole of Syria, Phoenicia and Palestine, urging Christians to the Orthodox Faith. He established priests and deacons in desolated churches, and he consecrated bishops who renounced the Arian heresy. Julian the Apostate’s death, he was succeeded by the pious emperor Jovian (363-364), during whose reign the persecutions stopped. Returning from exile, Saint Meletius (February 12) convened a local Council at Antioch in the year 379 on the advice of Saint Eusebius. Twenty-seven bishops participated, and it reaffirmed the Orthodox teaching of the First Ecumenical Council. Arians signed the conciliar definition, fearing the steadfast defenders of Orthodoxy, the holy hierarchs Meletius, Eusebius and Pelagios, who had great influence with the emperor. the death of Jovian the Arian Valentinian (364-378) came to power.The Orthodox were again subjected to persecution. Saint Meletius was banished to Armenia, Saint Pelagius to Arabia, and Saint Eusebius was condemned to exile in Thrace. Having received the imperial decree, Saint Eusebius left Samosata by night so as to prevent tumult among the people that esteemed him. Having learned of of the bishop’s departure, believers followed after him and with tears entreated him to return. The saint refused the entreaty of those who had come, saying that he had to obey the authorities. The saint urged his flock to hold firm to Orthodoxy, blessed them and set off to the place of exile. The Arian Eunomios became Bishop of Samosata, but the people did not accept the heretic. The Orthodox would not go to the church and avoided meeting with him. The heretical Arian perceived that it was impossible to attract the independent flock to him. emperor Gracian (375-383) came upon the throne, and all the Orthodox hierarchs banished under the Arians were brought back from exile. Saint Eusebius also returned to Samosata and continued with the task of building up the Church. Together with Saint Meletius he supplied Orthodox hierarchs and clergy to Arian places. the year 380 he arrived in the Arian city of Dolikhina to establish the Orthodox bishop Marinus there. An Arian woman threw a roof tile at the holy bishop’s head. As he lay dying, he asked her for wine and requested those around not to do her any harm. The body of Saint Eusebius was taken to Samosata and was buried by his flock. The saint’s nephew, Antiochus, succeeded him and the Samosata Church continued to confess the Orthodox Faith, firmly spread through the efforts of the holy Hieromartyr Eusebius.

Armenia, 349-390, Saint, Gregory of Nazianzus, Cappadocia, Gregory the Theologian
Byzantine Saint, 349-390, Gregory of Nazianzus; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; JEROME, SCHOLAR, TRANSLATOR, AND THEOLOGIAN (30 SEP 420); St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or ""Â, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 350-379, Byzantine Saint, Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great, of the 5
Byzantine Saint, 350-379, Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; St Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 12; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch the Disciple of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 30; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe RomanÂ, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 350-379, Basil of Caesarea, Armenia, Basil the Great, of the 5
Byzantine Saint, 350-379, Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; St Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 12; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch the Disciple of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 30; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe RomanÂ, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 350-379, Saint, Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great, of the 5
Byzantine Saint, 350-379, Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; St Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 12; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch the Disciple of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 30; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe RomanÂ, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 350-368, C King, Arsak II (Arshak), Arian, Roman peace allows Sassanians to take Armenia 368, prison suicide
Armenia, 350-368, Prince, Arsak II (Arshak II); II[1] (Armenian: Արշակ Բ, flourished 4th century, died 369 or 370), also known as Arsaces II[2] and Arsak II[3] was a prince who was a Roman client king of Arsacid Armenia from 350 until 368. life[edit] II was the second born son to Tiran (Tigranes VII)[4] by an unnamed mother. His father served as a Roman client king of Arsacid Armenia from 339 until 350. His date of birth is unknown and little is known on his early life. Sometime during his father's reign, the Sassanid King Shapur II launched a war on Rome and her allies, firstly by persecuting the Christians that lived in Persia and Mesopotamia.[5] Shapur II, by capturing these territories, began to deal a severe blow to Roman prestige in the East.[5] Sometime into his father's reign, Shapur II with his army had invaded Armenia; eventually taking Arshak II with members of his family as hostages[5][6] as they were betrayed to Shapur II by his father's chamberlain.[5][6] Arshak II, along with members of his family, had become Sassanid political prisoners in which his father was blinded and thrown into prison after Shapur II accused his father of collusion with Rome.[5] nobles of Armenia were infuriated by the brutality of Shapur II and his treatment of Arshak II with members of his family, took up arms and fought against Shapur II and his army with assistance from the Romans.[5] They successfully drove Shapur II and his army out from Armenia. After Shapur II was defeated, he signed a treaty, and Arshak II and members of his family were released from prison. As Arshak II's father was depressed and blinded from his experience in captivity, he abdicated his throne, and Arshak II succeeded his father as Armenian King in 350. II, like his father, strongly pursued a policy in favor of Arianism.[7] the early years of his reign, Arshak II found himself courted by the Roman Empire and Sassanid Empire, both of which hoped to win Armenia to their side in the ongoing conflicts between them. 358, Arshak II had married a Greek noblewoman Olympias, the daughter of the late consul Ablabius. The historian Ammianus Marcellinus (XXV. vii, 9-13; vol. II, pp. 532/3-534/5) described Arshak II as a "steadfast and faithful friend" to the Romans. King of Sassanid Persia, Shapur II, intensified his efforts to conquer Armenia once and for all. He was able to bribe two Armenian noblemen, Vahan Mamikonian and Meruzhan Artsruni, and had them join his royal court. II focused on strengthening the army. He rewarded loyal generals and severely punished disloyal ones. He crafted an ambitious plan in which all criminals that settled in his newly founded city of Arshakavan were given complete amnesty. Approximately 150,000 individuals were settled in the city. His hope was to create a large army directly under his command, but many in the Armenian nobility did not agree with the plan and subsequently destroyed the city and killed its inhabitants. Romans and the Persians clashed again. Roman Emperor Jovian, being in a very difficult position, negotiated an undesirable peace with Shapur II in which he allowed the Persians to take over the fortresses of Nisbis, Castra Maurorum, and Singara along with a part of Armenia. Arshak II found himself abandoned by the Romans and left to defend Armenia all alone. The Persians swiftly attacked, but were unsuccessful, partly due to the leadership of the sparapet (general-in-chief) Vasak Mamikonian. Shapur II, seeing that brute force was not going to subjugate Arshak II, turned to treachery. Arshak II was invited by the Persian king for peace talks. When Arshak II arrived with Vasak Mamikonian, he was taken prisoner and his general was skinned. Armenia under Arshak II and suicide[edit] in a Sasanian prison named the Castle of Oblivion, Arshak II was unable to stop the Sasanian invasion of Armenia. Shapur II conquered Armenia and tried to convert Christian Armenians to Zoroastrianism, the main religion of the Sassanid Empire. in 369 or 370, an Armenian named Drastamat visited the imprisoned Arshak II. The king reminisced about his glory days and, feeling depressed, took his visitor's knife and killed himself. Drastamat, moved by what he had just witnessed, took the knife from Arshak II's chest and stabbed himself as well. having a troublesome reign, Arshak II was able to improve many aspects of his kingdom. The chief architect of the reforms was his cousin, the catholicos Saint Nerses I the Great. They included: the establishment of many monasteries, to isolate monks from the stress of everyday life and helped spread the gospel; the building of hospitals; the founding of many schools that would teach Assyrian and Greek, since the Holy Bible was read in those languages at that time; the interdiction of inbred marriages, polygamy, divorce, pagan rituals, drunkenness and revenge killings; strongly encouraging slave-owners to be merciful to slaves and treat them as equals. II was named in honor of his Parthian, Pontian and Armenian ancestors who ruled under this name as king, in particular he was named in honor of Arshak I, also known as Arsaces I, the founder of the Arsacid Parthian dynasty and the first ruler of the Parthian Empire. letter of Vagharshak, king of Armenia, to Arshak the Great, king of Parthia, Arshak, king of earth and sea, whose person and image are as those of our gods, whose fortune and destiny are superior to those of all kings, and whose amplitude of mind is as that of the sky above the earth, from Vagharshak your younger brother.[8] appearance[edit] to the Armenian 5th-century historian Faustus of Byzantium in his writings History of the Armenians (Book IV, Chapter 15), states Pharantzem[clarification needed] in describing Arshak II as, “physically, he is hairy, and his color is dark”. and issue[edit] II appeared to have three known wives. Prior to his Armenia kingship, Arshak II married an unknown woman who appeared to have died before 358. His first wife bore him a son: Anob[9] By 358, he married the Greek noblewoman Olympias.[10] They were married until her death in 361[10] They had no children. In 360, he married the Armenian noblewoman Pharantzem, the widow of Arshak II's nephew, the Arsacid Prince Gnel.[10][11] Pharantzem remained with Arshak II until his death. She bore Arshak II a son: Papas (Pap).[11] He was born in 360 and is the only known child born to Arshak II during his reign. Holy Woman Olympias (Olympiada) the Deaconess of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 25;

Armenia, 350-379, Macrina the Younger (Iris River near Pontus and Neocasearea on the Keltek) of the 5
Byzantium, 350-379, Macrina the Younger (somewhere on Iris River); MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1;

Armenia, 350-381, Theosebia, the younger sister (on Iris River near Pontus) of the 5
Cappadocia, 350-381, Theosebia, the younger sister (somewhere on Iris River in Pontus); Byzantium, 350-379, Macrina the Younger (somewhere on Iris River); MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Casarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1;

Armenia, 351-368, Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus, Cappadocia, younger brother of Gregory of N
Cappadocia, 351-368, Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus, younger brother of Gregory; St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on January 25;

Armenia, 355-395, Cappadocian, Byzantine Saint, Gregory of Nyssa, of the 5
Byzantine Saint, 355-395, Gregory of Nyssa; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or 'œthe Roman'Â, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 355-395, Cappadocian, Gregory of Nyssa, of the 5
Byzantine Saint, 355-395, Gregory of Nyssa; Martyr Patermuthius of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Eusignius of Antioch, Commemorated on August 5; Venerable Horus of the Thebaid, Egypt, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PREACHER, THEOLOGIAN, LITURGIST (13 Sept. 407) ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 23; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; MOSES THE BLACK, DESERT FATHER & MARTYR, 28 August 405; Venerable Moses the Black of Scete, Commemorated on August 28; Martyr Porphyrius the Actor, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Juventinus at Antioch, Commemorated on October 9 ; St Publia the Confessor and Deaconess of Antioch, Commemorated on October 9; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on October 12 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Hieromartyr Cyriacus the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on October 28 ; St Marcian of Cyrrhus, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Melasippus with his wife and son at Ancyra, Commemorated on November 7; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Commemorated on November 8; St Martin the Merciful the Bishop of Tours, Commemorated on November 11; MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (11 NOV 397); Martyr Elpidius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Commemorated on November 15; Martyr Theodore of Antioch, Commemorated on November 23; St Peter of Galatia, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Timothy at Tiberiopolis, Commemorated on November 28; Venerable Karion (Cyrion) and his son in Egypt, Commemorated on December 5 ; Venerable Zachariah of Egypt, Commemorated on December 5; AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397); Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 1; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated on January 30; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; St Eulogius the Hospitable of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 27 ; Martyr Theognes at Cyzicus, Commemorated on April 29 ; St Athanasius the Great the Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Martyr Barbarus the Soldier in Morea, Commemorated on May 6; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Epiphanius the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12 ; St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on May 12; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Timothy the Bishop of Prusa, Commemorated on June 10; Venerable Theophanes of Antioch, Commemorated on June 10; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or 'œthe Roman'Â, Commemorated on June 26;

Armenia, 360 - 391, St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, from Cappadocia, Armenia, of the 5
Cappadocia, 360 - 391, St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, Cappadocia/ Armenia; St. Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10;

Armenia, 360 - 391, St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, Cappadocia/ Armenia, of the 5
Cappadocia, 360 - 391, St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, Cappadocia/ Armenia; St. Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated on January 10;

Armenia, 363, Battle of Samarra v Persia, Julian the Apostate's death
Battle of Samarra, 363, Julian the Apostate's death; Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian’s army. The old man deceived Julian and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Tired from hunger and thirst, Julian’s army battled against fresh Persian forces. ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Armenia, 369-374, Client King, Pap, arian, robust, escape to Valens'. killed traitors, d Shapur II, k Nerses, V k Pap
Armenia, 369-374, King, Pap of Armenia; also known as Papas[1] (353–374) was a Prince who served as the Roman Client King of Arsacid Armenia from 370 until 374. and early life[edit] was the son born to the Arsacid monarch Arsaces II (Arshak II) and his wife Pharantzem (Parandzem),[2] who was his third known wife. Prior to his father's Armenian kingship, Arsaces II married an unnamed woman who appeared to have died before the year 358 by whom he had a son called Anob,[3] thus was Pap's older paternal half-brother. The father of Pap served as Roman Client King of Armenia from 350 until 368. Pap is the only known child born to Arsaces II during his Armenian Kingship. was born and raised in Armenia and little is known on his early life. Armenian historian of the 5th century Faustus of Byzantium in his writings History of the Armenians (Book IV, Chapter 15), states that the parents of Pap nourished him during his childhood and when he reached puberty he became robust. Nerses I was named in honor of Pap, a brief Catholicos in 348 who was Pap's late paternal relative and the first son of Saint Husik. Saint Husik was the grandfather of the Catholicos, St. Nerses I.[4] to the throne[edit] Sassanid King Shapur II's invasion of the Kingdom of Armenia, Pharantzem and Pap were holed up with the Armenian treasure in the fortress of Artogerassa defended by a troop of Azats.[2] According to Ammianus Marcellinus, the Persian invasion force was commanded by two Armenian defectors, Cylaces (Glak) and Artabanes (Vahan). Shapur II's intention was to replace the Armenian Arsacid monarchy with a non-Arsacid but still Armenian nakharar diarchy. Faustus of Byzantium in his Epic Histories also mentions two Armenian nakharars, Meruzhan Artsruni and Vahan Mamikonian in leadership positions under Shapur II's suzerainty as well as Zik and Karen who carried Persian noble titles. This also implies that Shapur II might have intended to combine Sassanid administrative rule (Zik and Karen) with that of nakharar rule (Artsruni and Mamikonian).[2] the siege, Arsaces II's wife Pharantzem appealed to Cylaces and Artabanes in the name of her husband who defected back to the Arsacid monarchy and engineered the escape of Pap. Themistius reported of Pap's arrival at Valens' court in Marcianopolis where the Emperor was wintering.[2] Valens bade him to stay at Neocaesarea in Pontus Polemoniacus three hundred kilometers from the Armenian border. In 369, Pap returned to Armenian territory at the request of the nobility. He was accompanied by the comes et dux Terentius but was not yet endowed with a royal rank.[5] of Armenia[edit] was reluctant to bestow a royal title upon Pap in order not to violate an earlier treaty signed by Jovian in July 363.[5] Valens dispatched his magister peditum praesentalis Arinthaeus to Armenia just as Shapur II invaded the country in pursuit of Pap who was hiding near the Roman frontier in Lazica. Meanwhile, Terentius restored Sauromaces to the throne of Iberia, but the king appointed by the Persians, Aspacures retained control of the eastern part of that kingdom. Instead of going after Pap, Shapur II concentrated his attack on the now long besieged fortress of Artogerassa which fell in the winter of 370, the royal treasure was captured by the Persians and Pharantzem, raped and murdered.[2] Shapur II also began systematically persecuting the local Christians by forcing apostasy to Mazdaism, a form of Orthodox Zoroastrianism.[2] II contacted Pap who was still in hiding and tried to persuade him to come over to his side. Under Shapur II's influence Pap murdered the duplicitous Cylaces and Artabanes and sent their heads to the shahanshah as a sign of loyalty. In the spring of 370 Shapur II prepared a massive invasion of Armenia which was realized in the spring of 371. Valens' generals Traianus and Vadomarius met the Persian force in Armenia at Bagrevand not far from the village called Dzirav and came off victorious. Faustus of Byzantium gives considerable credit for the victory to sparapet Mushegh I Mamikonian. Moses of Chorene of Armenia and Roman Ammianus Marcellinus noted that the Valens' generals did not participate in the battle actively but rather were engaged in protecting the King. During the ensuing battles more Armenian territories were reclaimed from the Persians, including Arzanene and Corduene which were ceded to Persians by Jovian in 363.[2] the end of the summer Shapur II retreated to his capital at Ctesiphon and Valens went back to Antioch. Shapur II was unable to confront the massive Roman build up in Armenia as a result of his preoccupation with Kushan attacks in the eastern realm of his empire. While peace prevailed with Persia, the situation inside Armenia began to crumble. like his father, aggressively pursued a policy of Christian Arianism.[6] He was struggling to rule a kingdom that was recently dismantled by Shapur II; his actions to keep a tight grip on power led to his downfall. Pap poisoned the popular Armenian Catholicos Nerses in 373, who was a very close Roman ally.[2] The poisoning of Nerses was one of the measures that Pap took to restrain the excessive power of the Church, which included the confiscation of rich estates which were attached to the Holy See. Pap had nominated a certain Husik as a replacement and sent him for consecration in Caesarea. The bishop of Caesarea Basil refused to consecrate the nominee but Valens requested that Basil quickly resolve the situation by finding a new nominee acceptable to Pap. Basil failed to do so and the Roman see of Caesarea effectively lost its traditional role of consecrating the Catholicos of Armenia.[2] Pap's refusal to cooperate with Basil angered Valens. In addition, Pap demanded control over Caesarea and twelve other Roman cities including Edessa as former Arsacid domains while openly courting Persia. Valens decided to execute Pap and invited him to a meeting in Tarsus. Pap arrived with 300 mounted escorts but quickly became anxious when he found out the Emperor was not there in person, fleeing back to Armenia.[7] sent two generals with scutarii (shielded cavalry) familiar with the local terrain after Pap, an Armenian named Danielus and an Iberian named Barzimeres who failed to capture and execute Pap.[2] Both generals gave an excuse that Pap had used magical powers to avoid capture and used a dark cloud to mask his party. Faustus in his Epic Histories also claimed that Pap was possessed by devs (demons). This could have simply been an attack against Pap's sympathies towards Arians and pagans. Valens then assigned Traianus to gain Pap's confidence and murder him. Traianus murdered Pap in 374 during a banquet which he had organized for the young king.[8] Marcellinus Ammianus drew parallels between the treacherous murder of the Quadi King Gabinius by Valentinian I and the murder of Pap by Valens,[9] who also wrote that the murder of Pap haunted Valens prior to the Battle of Adrianople. Armenian nakharars still loyal to Pap did little to protest as a result of a large Roman army present in Armenian territory. The new Roman nominee for a king was accepted virtually by everyone. It was another Arsacid and nephew of Pap, who grew up in Rome named Varasdates (Varazdat) that began to rule under the regency of Mushegh Mamikonian.[2] The Mamikonians were notoriously pro-Roman. Shapur II had long been courting Pap and he was infuriated when Pap was murdered and a new Arsacid placed on the Armenian throne instead. and issue[edit] married an Armenian noblewoman called Zarmandukht, who through marriage became queen consort of Armenia.[10] Zarmandukht bore Pap two sons:[11] Arsaces III (Arshak III) and Vologases.

Armenia, 374-378, C King, Varazdat, arian, Oly champ, assgnd by Valens, w Goths Valens threat, Goths revolt, R withdraw
Armenia, 374-378, Client King, Varazdat; (flourished 4th century) was a king of Arsacid Armenia from 374 until 378.[1] from Middle Persian waraz meaning "boar" combined with Middle Persian datan "to give", the name Varazdat roughly means "given by boars" or "giver of boars,"[2] a boar being a symbol for valor and fierceness. & early life was the nephew and successor of the previous Arsacid Armenian king Papas (Pap)[3] who reigned from 370 until 374. According to Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the priest and historiographer of the Catholicos Nerses the Great, names the father of Varazdat as Anob, while the identity of the mother of Varazdat is unknown. The father of Varazdat, Anob who was an Arsacid prince was the older paternal half-brother of Papas. Also, according to Faustus of Byzantium (Book IV, Chapter 37), Varazdat proclaims himself as the nephew of Papas and the historian reveals Varazdat's relations to the Armenian Arsacids. Hence the paternal grandfather of Varazdat was the Arsacid monarch Arsaces II (Arshak II), who ruled as Roman client king of Armenia from 350 until 368 as his paternal grandmother was an unnamed woman whom Arsaces II married prior to his Armenian kingship, who died before the year 358. Little is known of his early life. at Olympic Games before his Armenian kingship, Varazdat participated in the Olympic Games in Greece. He is often regarded as one of the last competitors in the Ancient Olympic Games.[4] Varazdat's victory in the bare-knuckle boxing event (pugilat) is recorded in Moses of Chorene's History of Armenia (3.40). Since he reigned from 374 until 378, conjecture places his victory in the 360s.[5] Varazdat is the second recorded Armenian to participate in the Olympic Games, while the first was his ancestor Tiridates III of Armenia, before he served in his Armenian kingship.[6] Varazdat's victory is also known from a surviving memorandum which is now kept at the Olympic Museum in Olympia, Greece.[6] to the "Chronicle of Eusebius," the Olympic Games were banned in 394 by Emperor Theodosius as pagan. Accurate evidence of the latest games are missing: it is believed that the 293rd Olympic Games did not take place. Thus, the Armenian king Varazdat was one of the last winners of the ancient games.[7] initiative from the Armenian National Olympic Committee on May 8, 1998 a statue bust of Varazdat was installed at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece.[8] The sculptor of Varazdat's statue bust was Levon Tokmajyan.[8] to the Arsacid throne the assassination of his uncle Papa, Roman emperor Valens sent Varazdat, who as a young man was highly reputed for his mental and physical gifts, to occupy the Armenian throne. At that time, Varazdat had been living in Rome for an unknown period of time. Varazdat began to rule under the regency of Musel I Mamikonian, whose family were pro-Roman. Sasanian emperor Shapur II, having failed on the battlefield, now proposed to Valens in 375 that Armenia which he called the perpetual source of trouble, be evacuated or that Roman forces be withdrawn from the western part of Caucasian Iberia ruled by Sauromaces.[9] emperor rejected the proposal but sent two legates, the magister equitum Victor Magistrianus and Urbicius the dux of Mesopotamia to the Persian king to discuss the question. II was told that his demands were unjust because the inhabitants of Armenia had been granted the right to live according to their decisions.[10] Shapur II was also told that unless Roman troops assigned to protect the Iberian king in the west were allowed to pass unhindered, Shapur II would be forced into war with Rome. was confident of this threat because he was counting on filling the ranks of his army with auxiliaries from the Goths that he had permitted to settle in Thrace. two legates made a blunder during their return trip by accepting two regions (Asthianene and Belabitene) under Roman rule without proper authorization. gave Shapur II a new bargaining chip to revive negotiations and in late 376 he sent Suren with an embassy offering Valens these two regions illegally accepted by the legates in exchange for Roman concessions. was sent back with the message that Rome was unwilling to negotiate and would launch a tripartite invasion of Persia the following spring in 377.[9] II responded by seizing back Asthianene and Belabitene and harassed the Roman troops in western Iberia. Goths revolted in early 377 and Valens was forced to negotiate, eventually withdrawing Roman forces from Armenia in order to use them against the Goths. Valens himself died fighting the Goths in August 378 during the Battle of Adrianople. like his uncle, aggressively promoted Arian Christianity.[11] and banishment situation in Armenia deteriorated even further. Sometime after the withdrawal of the Roman forces, Varazdat killed the regent Mushegh Mamikonian. vacant position of sparapet was quickly filled by Manuel Mamikonian who had served under Shapur II in the most recent Kushan war. took up arms against Varazdat and forced him to flee from Armenia in 378, after four years of reign. Varazdat sought refuge in Rome.[9] together with Papas' widow Zarmandukht, and their first son Arsaces III (Arshak III) formed a new provisional government allied with Persia. II garrisoned a 10,000 man army in Armenia under Suren, much like Valens in 377. Eventually Manuel revolted against Persia and defended Armenian sovereignty against both Rome and Persia throughout the 380s until his death.[9] sent Varazdat to the British Isles.[12] Varazdat most probably died in exile and the date of his death is unknown.

Armenia, 378-387, Client King, Arshak III, last Roman (Byz) Client King of Armenia, Mamikonian govt, arian
Armenia, 378-387, Client King, Arshak III; III,[1] also known as Arsaces III, Arsak III[2] and Arshak III-Vagharshak[3] (flourished 4th century – died 387), was a prince who served as a Roman client king of Arsacid Armenia from 378 until 387. III is often known as the last serving Roman client king of Armenia. During his reign, the part of Armenia that Arshak III governed was under Roman rule from the Peace of Acilisene. and early life III was the first-born son of the previous Roman client Armenian King Papas (Pap), who reigned from 370 until 374, and his wife, the Armenian noblewoman called Zarmandukht.[4] He had a younger brother[5] called Vologases. His known grandparents, both from his paternal side, were the previous ruling Arsacid monarchs Arsaces II (Arshak II) and his wife Pharantzem.[6] III was named in honor of his late paternal grandfather; several of his Parthian, Pontian and Armenian ancestors ruled with this name as King. Arshak III was born at an unknown date during his father's reign and was raised in Armenia. Following the assassination of his father in 374, as Arshak III and his brother were too young to rule, the Roman emperor Valens sent their paternal first cousin Varasdates (Varazdat) to occupy the Armenian throne. Their cousin, who was a young man highly reputed for his mental and physical gifts, had lived in Rome for an unknown period of time. Varasdates began his rule under the regency of Mushegh I Mamikonian, whose family were pro-Roman. to the Throne 378, following the failed reign of Varasdates and the murder of his regent Mushegh Mamikonian, the brother of Mushegh, Manuel Mamikonian,[7] filled his late brother's position of Sparapet. Manuel bore a grudge against the Armenian king, and raised a military force which drove Varasdates out of Armenia[8] and back to Rome. He then raised Arshak III and Vologases to the throne as co-kings of Armenia, under the nominal regency of their mother Zarmandukht.[9] end the political anarchy in the country, as Manuel was now the powerful regent-in-charge of Armenia, he married Arsaces III to his daughter Vardandukht[10] and Vologases to the daughter of Sahak from the Bagratuni Dynasty.[11] Mamikonian government brought peace and stability to Armenia, as Manuel guided the country wisely.[12] Manuel treated Arshak III, Vologases and Zarmandukht with honor.[13] He brought up Arshak III and Vologases[14] and nurtured them as if they were his own children.[15] III, like his paternal ancestors, aggressively pursued policies based on Christian Arianism.[16] In 386, Vologases died without leaving an heir and Arshak III became the sole ruler of Armenia. As Manuel Mamikonian died at the same time as Vologases did, the authority of Arshak III became lessened by the Sassanid invasions from Persia of Armenia. In 387, the last year of his kingship, Arshak III resided in Ekeleac’, also known as Ekeghiats, in Western Armenia,[17] as he then ruled only Western Armenia along a line from Erzurum to Mush. Later that year Arshak died without leaving an heir. Western Armenia was annexed to and became a province of the Byzantine Empire. Eastern Armenia was annexed by the Sassanid Empire and the subsequent ruling Arsacid monarchs in Eastern Armenia became client kings of Armenia under Sassanid rule.

Armenia, 1380, Venerable Pelagia, Penitent, Edessa, Beautiful, Dance Troupe, Prostitute, monk disguise, g spiritual gifts
Armenia, 1380, Venerable Pelagia the Penitent, Edessa; Edessa, Syria; Venerable Pelagia the Penitent, Commemorated on October 8; Pelagia the Penitent was converted to Christianity by Saint Nonnus, Bishop of Edessa (Saturday of Cheesefare Week). Before her acceptance of Christianity through Baptism, Pelagia was head of a dance troupe in Palestinian Antioch, living a life of frivolity and prostitution. day Pelagia, elegantly dressed, was making her way past a church where Saint Nonnus was preaching a sermon. Believers turned their faces away from the sinner, but the bishop glanced after her. Struck by the outer beauty of Pelagia and having foreseen the spiritual greatness within her, the saint prayed in his cell for a long time to the Lord for the sinner. He told his fellow bishops that the prostitute put them all to shame. He explained that she took great care to adorn her body in order to appear beautiful in the eyes of men. “We... take no thought for the adornment of our wretched souls,” he said. Saint Pelagia with Saint Nonnus the following day, when Saint Nonnus was teaching in the church about the dread Last Judgment and its consequences, Pelagia came. The teaching made a tremendous impression upon her. With the fear of God and weeping tears of repentance, she asked the saint for Baptism. Seeing her sincere and full repentance, Bishop Nonnus baptized her. night the devil appeared to Pelagia, urging her to return to her former life. The saint prayed, signed herself with the Sign of the Cross, and the devil vanished. days after her baptism, Saint Pelagia gathered up her valuables and took them to Bishop Nonnus. The bishop ordered that they be distributed among the poor saying, “Let this be wisely dispersed, so that these riches gained by sin may become a wealth of righteousness.” After this Saint Pelagia journeyed to Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. She lived there in a cell, disguised as the monk Pelagius, living in ascetic seclusion, and attaining great spiritual gifts. When she died, she was buried in her cell. Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch, Commemorated October 8 ; Holy Virgin Martyr Pelagia came from Antioch in Syria and was descended from a prominent family during the reign of Emperor Numerian (282- 284). When the ruler of Antioch discovered that Pelagia was a Christian, he sent soldiers to rape her. They had surrounded her house and were about to seize her. the Saint learned of this, she asked the soldiers to let her go and change her clothes. Lifting her hands and her eyes to heaven, she prayed fervently to God not to allow the soldiers to rape her, but that she might depart this life as a pure virgin. Then she opened a window and jumped out, sustaining fatal injuries. Thus, she delivered her pure soul to God, in order to preserve herself from being defiled by the boorish soldiers. She was just fifteen years old. John Chrysostom has written a famous encomium for this Saint, in which he suggests that when Saint Pelagia threw herself out of the window, she was probably hoping to escape in that way, even though she was risking her life because of the danger she was in, and not because she wanted to commit suicide. was a church at Antioch, and another in Constantinople, which were dedicated to Saint Pelagia.

Armenia, 397-473, Saint, Euthymius the Great, Melitene, Armenia, Wilderness of Judea
Jerusalem Saint, 397-473, Euthymius the Great; Venerable Theoctistus, Commemorated on September 3; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated on January 20;

Armenia, 400-499, 5th Century Folder, Conquered by Persia, Queen Shushanik

Armenia, 428, Conquered by Persia
Great Armenia, Kingdom of Armenia was bordered by Caucasian Albania in the east, by Caucasian Iberia in the north, by the Roman Empire in the west and by Parthia, later succeeded by Sassanid Empire. The border between Caucasian Iberia and Kingdom of Armenia was Kur river, which was also the border between Caucasian Albania and Kingdom of Armenia ;

Armenia, 443-529, Saint Theodosius the Great, Judea, Cenobiarch, from Cappadocia, Armenia
Jerusalem, 443-529, Saint Theodosius the Great, Judea; St. Christopher of Palestine, Commemorated on August 30;

Armenia, 459-532, Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, from Cappadocia, Armenia
Jerusalem Saint, 459-532, Sabbas the Sanctified; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated on January 20; Venerable John the Silent of St Sava'™s Monastery, Commemorated on March 30;

Armenia, 460-475, Georgian Saint, Armenian Queen Shushanik
Armenia, 460-475, Georgian Saint, Armenian Queen Shushanik ; Shushanik, born Vardeni Mamikonian (c. 440 -“ 475) was a Christian Armenian woman who was tortured to death by her husband Varsken in the town of Tsurtavi, Georgia. Since she died defending her right to profess Christianity, she is regarded as a martyr. Her martyrdom is described in her confessor Jacob'™s hagiographic work, the oldest extant work of Georgian language literature. The hagiography details extensive resistance to forms of imprisonment, isolation, torture and cruelty by Shushanik. was a daughter of the Armenian military commander Vardan Mamikonian and married the Mihranid ruler Varsken, son of Arshusha II. was a defiant vassal of Vakhtang I Gorgasali, King of Kartli (Iberia), and took a pro-Persian position, renouncing Christianity and adopting Zoroastrianism. killed his spouse after she refused to submit to his order to abandon her Christian faith. Varsken himself was put to death by King Vakhtang in 483. has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church and is venerated by the Armenian Apostolic Church. Her feast day is celebrated on October 17 in Georgia and Tuesday between September 20-“26 in Armenia. Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Armenia, 500-599, 6th Century Folder, 13 Assyrian Fathers, including John of Zedezeni, David Gareji, and St. Shio

Armenia, 540's, 13 Assyrian Fathers (St Shio, John of Zedazeni, David Gareji, Joseph of Alaverdi)
Georgia, 13 Assyrian Fathers, 6th Century; Thirteen Assyrian Fathers were, according to Georgian church tradition, a group of monastic missionaries who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. They are credited by the Georgian church historians with the foundation of several monasteries and hermitages and initiation of the ascetic movement in Georgia.[1][2] lives of the Assyrian Fathers are related in a cycle of medieval Georgian hagiographic texts and are unattested beyond these sources. Some of these vitae are formalities composed for an 18th-century synaxary, but four of them exist in original form, as well a metaphrastic version. The dating as well as authorship of these texts is controversial. The Georgian Catholicoi Arsen I (830-87) and Arsen II (955-80) have been suggested as authors of some of the vitae. Other, unattributed, texts may have been composed earlier, in the late 7th century.[3] monasteries in modern Georgia are named after the Assyrian Fathers and are said to have been founded and led by them and their numerous disciples. In the Middle Ages, these religious foundations played an important role in forging Georgian Christian identity.[3] written and oral, names as many as 19 Assyrian monks active in Georgia in the 6th century and the number "13" seems to be largely symbolic. Modern scholarly opinion is divided as to whether they were Assyrians, Assyrian-educated Georgians, whether missionaries or refugees — monophysite or diophysite — from Syria, from which monophysitism had retreated while Georgia was still primarily monophysite at that time.[3] in Iberia where the fathers served Chief of the Assyrian Fathers were: Davit Garejeli / David of Gareja Ioane Zedazneli / John of Zedazeni Abibos Nekreseli / Abibos of Nekresi Shio Mgvimeli / Shio of Mgvime Ioseb Alaverdeli / Joseph of Alaverdi Anton Martkopeli / Anton of Martkopi Tadeoz Stepantsmindeli / Thaddeus of Stepantsminda Piros Breteli / Pyrrhus of Breti Iese Tsilkneli / Jesse of Tsilkani Stepane Khirseli / Stephen of Khirsa Isidore Samtavneli / Isidor of Samtavisi Mikael Ulumboeli / Michael of Ulumbo Zenon Ikaltoeli / Zenon of Ikalto Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia, Commemorated September 15 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; Saint Evagrisi, disciple of Saint Shio, Commemorated on February 4; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on February 9 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3; Venerable Dodo of the St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on May 17; St. David Gareji, Commemorated on June 9 ;

Armenia, 540's, 13 Assyrian Fathers (under St John of Zedazeni)
Georgia, 13 Assyrian Fathers, 6th Century; Thirteen Assyrian Fathers were, according to Georgian church tradition, a group of monastic missionaries who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. They are credited by the Georgian church historians with the foundation of several monasteries and hermitages and initiation of the ascetic movement in Georgia.[1][2] lives of the Assyrian Fathers are related in a cycle of medieval Georgian hagiographic texts and are unattested beyond these sources. Some of these vitae are formalities composed for an 18th-century synaxary, but four of them exist in original form, as well a metaphrastic version. The dating as well as authorship of these texts is controversial. The Georgian Catholicoi Arsen I (830-87) and Arsen II (955-80) have been suggested as authors of some of the vitae. Other, unattributed, texts may have been composed earlier, in the late 7th century.[3] monasteries in modern Georgia are named after the Assyrian Fathers and are said to have been founded and led by them and their numerous disciples. In the Middle Ages, these religious foundations played an important role in forging Georgian Christian identity.[3] written and oral, names as many as 19 Assyrian monks active in Georgia in the 6th century and the number "13" seems to be largely symbolic. Modern scholarly opinion is divided as to whether they were Assyrians, Assyrian-educated Georgians, whether missionaries or refugees — monophysite or diophysite — from Syria, from which monophysitism had retreated while Georgia was still primarily monophysite at that time.[3] in Iberia where the fathers served Chief of the Assyrian Fathers were: Davit Garejeli / David of Gareja Ioane Zedazneli / John of Zedazeni Abibos Nekreseli / Abibos of Nekresi Shio Mgvimeli / Shio of Mgvime Ioseb Alaverdeli / Joseph of Alaverdi Anton Martkopeli / Anton of Martkopi Tadeoz Stepantsmindeli / Thaddeus of Stepantsminda Piros Breteli / Pyrrhus of Breti Iese Tsilkneli / Jesse of Tsilkani Stepane Khirseli / Stephen of Khirsa Isidore Samtavneli / Isidor of Samtavisi Mikael Ulumboeli / Michael of Ulumbo Zenon Ikaltoeli / Zenon of Ikalto Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia, Commemorated September 15 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; Saint Evagrisi, disciple of Saint Shio, Commemorated on February 4; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on February 9 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3; Venerable Dodo of the St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on May 17; St. David Gareji, Commemorated on June 9 ;

Armenia, 553 and 787, Pisidia Icon, 6th Century Miracles, 8th C icon confessor
Sozopolis, Pisidia ; Greatmartyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia, Commemorated July 17 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Pisidia, Commemorated September 3 ; St George the Confessor and Bishop of Antioch, in Pisidia, Commemorated on April 19;

Armenia, 599, Miraculous Transfer Bartholomew's Relics Trebizond, Armenia, Black Sea to Lipari Island, Sicily
Lipari, Italy ; Return of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari, Commemorated August 25 : By the power of God the chests did not sink into the depths of the sea, but miraculously floated upon the waves and reached Italy. The chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew came to land at the island of Lipari, and the remaining chests continued their journey and came to land at various places in Italy. The chest with the relics of the Martyr Papian halted at Sicily, the Martyr Lucian at Messina, the Martyr Gregory at Calabria, and the Martyr Acacius at Askalon. ; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11;

Armenia, 639 - 1920, Arab Muslim Armenia, Folder, Genocide by Turkey

Armenia, 639, Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia, Dvin, Armenia
Dvin; Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;

Armenia, 641-661, Catholicos Nerses III the Builder, ended up in Tao-Klarjeti
Armenia, 641-661, Catholicos Nerses III the Builder, ended up in Tao-Klarjeti; Venerable Fathers and Mothers of the Klarjeti Wilderness, Commemorated on October 5;

Armenia, 735-736, Umayyad Caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad (Marwan the Blind) attacked Armenia
Persia, 735-736, Umayyad Caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad (Marwan the Deaf); Arab general Marwan the Deaf; Martyr David the Prince of Georgia, Commemorated on October 2; Martyr Ashot Curapalati, King of of Artanuji, Commemorated on January 29 ;

Armenia, 829-842, Saint Eudocimus, Charsianon Fortress, Cappadocia, admin, blameless life, incorrupt relics, myrrh
Armenia, 829-842, Saint Eudocimus, Charsianon Fortress, Cappadocia, admin, blameless life, incorrupt relics, myrrh; Charsianon (Charsia); Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31 ; Eudocimus, a native of Cappadocia (Asia Minor), lived during the ninth century during the reign of Emperor Theophilus (829-842). He was the son of the pious Christians Basil and Eudokia, an illustrious family known to the emperor. They raised their son “in discipline and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6: 4), planting in his soul a sincere faith and holy virtues. righteous life of Saint Eudocimus was devoted to pleasing God and serving his neighbor. Having given a vow to remain unmarried and chaste, he avoided conversation with women and did not look at them. He would speak only with his own mother, whom he greatly respected. The emperor valued his virtue and talents, so he appointed Saint Eudocimus as governor of Chorziane, Armenia. Fulfilling his duty as a servant of God, Saint Eudocimus governed the people justly and with kindness. He concerned himself with the unfortunate, and with orphans and widows, and he was a defender of the common people. His personal Christian exploits which he did in secret, were known only to God. pleased God by his blameless life, and the Lord called him at age 33. Lying on his deathbed, Saint Eudocimus gave final instructions to place him in the grave in those clothes in which he would meet death. Then he sent everyone out of the room and entreated the Lord that no one would see his end, just as no one saw his secret efforts during life. His attendants buried him as he had instructed them. Right after the death of Saint Eudocimus miracles took place at his grave. Many sick people were healed, and the news of the miraculous healings spread. 18 months, the mother of Saint Eudocimus came from Constantinople to venerate his relics. She gave orders to remove the stone, dig up the ground, and open the grave. Everyone beheld the face of the saint, bright as if alive, altogether untouched by decay. A great fragrance came from him. They took up the coffin with the relics from the earth, and they dressed the saint in new clothes. His mother wanted to take the relics of her son to Constantinople, but the Kharsian people would not clear a path for their holy one. After a certain time the hieromonk Joseph, having lived and served at the grave of the saint, transported the relics of Saint Eudocimus to Constantinople. There they were placed in a silver reliquary in the church of the Most Holy Theotokos, built by the parents of the saint. Eudocimus is considered by the Russian Church to be one of the special protectors and intercessors before God of the family hearth. He was, as his name implies, truly successful in every virtue.

Armenia, 976-979, Army of Asia Minor Commander, Bardas Skleros, Melitene
Army of Asia Minor Commander, 976-979, Bardas Skleros, Melitene, Bardas Skleros Commanded Asian Rebellion against Byzantine Emperor Basil II; St (John) Tornike of Mt Athos, Commemorated on June 12;

Armenia, 1060-1360, Arab Muslim Conquest of Anatolia
Armenia, 1060-1360, Arab Muslim Conquest of Anatolia;

Armenia, 1071, Battle of Manzikert
Armenia, Battle of Manzikert 1071;

Armenia, 1203, Battle of Basian, Georgia and Tamar over Sunni Persian Turks
Armenia, Battle of Basian, 1203; Basiani is 60 km Northeast of Erzurum; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Holy Queen Tamara, Commemorated on May 8; St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9;

World War I quarters of supreme commander-in-chief in 1914
World War I quarters of supreme commander-in-chief in 1914 Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated on August 24; Caucasus Campaign, 1914 ;

Armenia, 1915-1923, Armenian Genocide, by Turkey
1915 Armenian Genocide; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24;

Armenia, 1920, Wilsonian Armenia
Wilsonian Armenia; Great Armenia; Kingdom of Armenia was bordered by Caucasian Albania in the east, by Caucasian Iberia in the north, by the Roman Empire in the west and by Parthia, later succeeded by Sassanid Empire. The border between Caucasian Iberia and Kingdom of Armenia was Kur river, which was also the border between Caucasian Albania and Kingdom of Armenia. Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia; GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE 1915-1923, Commemorated April 24;

Armenia, Aras River Folder

Aras River

Lake Van, Taron Region
Lake Van; Taron Region; Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;

Aras River Source (near Erzurum, Turkey)

Eastern part of the Roman Empire, Armenia
Eastern part of the Roman Empire ; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28;

Basiani, Armenia (Aras River Source)
Basiani, Georgia; Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Bassiani, Armenia (Aras River Source)
Bassiani, Georgia; Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Armenia, Aras River Source, Euphrates River Source Folder

Euphrates River Route

Euphrates River Source (Murat River)

Artaz region, Armenia (high point, Aras River Source, Euphrates River Source)
Artaz region, South of Erzurum, North of Bingol; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ;

Theodosiopolis, Armenia (high point, Aras River Source)
Theodosiopolis, Armenia Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; New Martyr Isaac of Georgia, Commemorated on September 16 ; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1;

Tsikhedidi (Kaledibi), Aras Region, (high point, Rivers Aras and Euphrates Source)
Tsikhedidi (Kaledibi), Aras Region, (high point, Rivers Aras and Euphrates Source) Erzurum, Turkey (NATO Cold War airforce post) ; Appearance of the Mother of God to St Sergius of Radonezh, Commemorated August 24 ; Saint Evagrisi, disciple of Saint Shio, Commemorated on February 4; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1;

Euphrates River Source

Aras River 1

Aras River 2

Bagrevand Region, Armenia (Aras River 1 and 2)
Bagrevand; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15;

Mount Sukaketi (Aras River 2)
Because it is the mountain of the Bagrevand region, this mountain is probably Mount Sukaketi in the story of Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia. Bagrevand; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15;

Aras River 3 (Akhurian River Mouth)

Armenia, Aras River 3, Akhurian River Folder

Akhurian River

Akhurian River Source (Lake Tseli)

Akhurian River 1 (Gyumri, Armenia)

Akhurian River 2 (Yerazgavors, Armenia)

Tsilkan, Armenia
Tsilkan (Tsilkar), Armenia; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2 ;

Akhurian River 2 (Ani, Armenia)

Anis-Shirakavan, Armenia
Anis-Shirakavan, Armenia ; St Tsotne Dadiani the Confessor, Commemorated on July 30

Akhurian River 3 (Bagaran, Armenia)

Akhurian River 4 (Yervandashat, Armenia)

Akhurian River Mouth (Aras River 3)

Aras River 4 (Metsamor River Mouth)

Armenia, Aras River 4, Metsamor River Folder

Metsamor River

Metsamor River Mouth (Aras River 4)

Aras River 5 (Hrazdan, Azat Rivers)

Armenia, Aras River 5, Hrazdan River Folder

Hrazdan River

Armenian Plateau
Armenian Plateau ; Armenia; Mount Ararat; Aras River; Martyr Romulus and with him many others; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia; Martyr Rhipsime of Armenia; St John Chrysostom the Archbishop of Constantinople; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip; Venerable Nikon "Metanoeite," the Preacher of Repentance; St James the Bishop of Nisibis; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia; Venerable Euthymius the Great; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE; Deportation of Armenian notables in 1915; Venerable Agapitus the Unmercenary Physician of the Kiev Near Caves, Commemorated on June 1; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Hrazdan River Mouth, Aras River 5)
Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Melitene); Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;

Alaverdi, Armenia or Georgia (Transcaucasus)
Alaverdi; Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia; Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia, Commemorated September 15 ; Hieromartyr Kirion II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Commemorated on June 27;

Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, Armenia (Hrazdan River Mouth, Aras River 5)
Cathedral of Etchmiadzin; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Hrazdan River Mouth (Aras River 5)

Armenia, Aras River 5, Azat River Folder

Azat River

Azat River 1

Azat River 2

Azat River Mouth (Aras River 5)

Artashat, Armenian Capital (Azat River Mouth, Aras River 5)
Artashat; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15;

Aras River 6

Khor Virab (deep well) monestary, Armenia (Aras River 6)
Khor Virab (deep well) monestary; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Mount Ararat, Armenia (south of Aras River 7)
Mount Ararat; Tobit Chapter 1: Courage in Burying the Dead: 16 In the days of Shalmaneser* I performed many acts of charity to my kindred, those of my tribe. 17I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. 18I also buried any whom King Sennacherib put to death when he came fleeing from Judea in those days of judgement that the king of heaven executed upon him because of his blasphemies. For in his anger he put to death many Israelites; but I would secretly remove the bodies and bury them. So when Sennacherib looked for them he could not find them. 19Then one of the Ninevites went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. But when I realized that the king knew about me and that I was being searched for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. 20Then all my property was confiscated; nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury, except my wife Anna and my son Tobias. ; Repose of St Alexander Nevsky; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Midznadzori Wilderness, Armenia (Aras River 19)
Midznadzori Wilderness, Azerbaijan; Zangilan District; Venerable Michael of Parekhi, Commemorated on May 27;

Armenia, Aras River 20, Kalebar River Folder

Kaleybar River

Kaleybar River Source

Kaleybar River 1

Kaleybar River 2

Kaleybar River 3

Kaleybar River Mouth (Aras River 20)

Armenia, Aras River 20, Vorotan River Folder

Vorotan River

Hereti Kingdom, 893-1020. from Azerbaijan to Kakheti, capital, Shaki, Armenia (Vorotan River 1, Aras River 20)
Hereti Kingdom with a capital of Shaki in Armenia; Kingdom of Hereti was a medieval monarchy which emerged in Caucasus on the Iberian-Albanian frontier. Nowadays it roughly corresponds to the southeastern corner of Georgia's Kakheti region and a portion of Azerbaijan's northwestern districts. to traditional accounts, the name of the province originated from the legendary patriarch "Heros", the son of Thargamos, who founded the city of Hereti (later known as Khoranta) at the Alazani River. Martyr Ashot Curapalati, King of of Artanuji, Commemorated on January 29;

Vorotan River Mouth (Aras River 20)

Aras River Mouth (Kura River 12)

Alban (Baku), Greater Armenia (Aras River Mouth)
Alban (Baku); Return of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari, Commemorated August 25 : By the power of God the chests did not sink into the depths of the sea, but miraculously floated upon the waves and reached Italy. The chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew came to land at the island of Lipari, and the remaining chests continued their journey and came to land at various places in Italy. The chest with the relics of the Martyr Papian halted at Sicily, the Martyr Lucian at Messina, the Martyr Gregory at Calabria, and the Martyr Acacius at Askalon. ; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11;

Armenia, Iris Rivers Folder (Central and Southeastern Pontine)

Iris (Yesil) River

Great Road from Ephesus thru Colossae to the Euphrates at Melitine

Sebaste, Armenia (high point, Kizilirmak River 1, Iris River Source)
Sebaste, Armenia ; Martyr Antiochus the Physician of Sebaste, Commemorated on July 16; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379); Martyr Severian of Sebaste, Commemorated on September 9 ; Right-Believing Pulcheria, Byzantine Empress, Commemorated on September 10; Martyr Irenarchus at Sebaste, Commemorated on November 28 ; St. John the Silent of St. Sabbas Monastery, Commemorated on December 3; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated December 13 ; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated December 18 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; St Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated on February 12 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9;

Iris (Yesil) River Source (Sivas or Sabastea)

Kharsian People, Pontine (Charsianon Area, Iris River Source) Armenia
Kharsian People Charsianon Area and Fortress; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated July 31 ;

Charsianon Area, Armenia, Pontine (Kharsian People, Iris River Source) Armenia
Charsianon Area and Fortress; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated July 31 ;

Charsianon Fortress, Armenia, Pontaine (high point, Iris River Source)
Charsianon (Charsia); Venerable Michael of Maleinus, Commemorated on July 12 ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31 ;

Malenius Family Home at Charsianon, Armenia, Pontine
Malenius; Venerable Michael of Maleinus, Commemorated July 12 ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31;

Iris (Yesil) River 1 (Cekerek River Mouth)

Cekerek River

Cekerek River 1 (Cekerek)

Cekerek River 2 (Heracleopolis)

Heracleopolis, Pontus, Armenia (Cekerek River 2)
Heracleopolis, Turkey ; Hieromartyr Athenogenes the Bishop of Heracleopolis, Commemorated on July 16;

Cekerek River Mouth (Iris (Yesil) River 1)

Iris (Yesil) River 2 (Tokat)

Tokat, Pontaine, Armenia (Iris or Yesil River 1)
Tokat (Iris or Yesil River) ; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; HENRY MARTYN, MISSIONARY AND TRANSLATOR (19 OCT 1812) ;

Comana (Komana), Pontica Armenia (Iris River 2.3)
Komana (Comana), Pontica; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; Alexander, Bishop of Comana, lived during the third century not far from Neocaesarea. He studied the Holy Scripture and knew many scientific disciplines. Taking upon himself the exploit of holy foolishness, the saint lived in poverty, selling coal in the city square. Many, seeing his face always black from the grime of the coal dust, sneered at him with contempt. the Bishop of Comana happened to die, then among the candidates put forth for election as new bishop -- one was a man illustrious, others were learned or eloquent, while yet others were rich. Then Saint Gregory Thaumaturgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea (November 17), having been invited for the ordination of their choice, pointed out, that a bishop ought to have not only outward worthiness and distinction, but foremost of all, a pure heart and holy life. These words caused some to laugh saying: “If outward appearance and nobility of origin be for naught, then even Alexander the collier might be made bishop”. Gregory perceived that it was not without the Providence of God that this man came to be mentioned, and he asked that they call him. The appearance of the saint at the gathering evoked laughter. Having respectfully bowed to Saint Gregory, Saint Alexander stood there deeply absorbed in himself and ignoring the sneering: Saint Gregory put him to the test, and the collier was obliged to reveal that he was formerly a philosopher, and had studied Holy Scripture, but that for the sake of God he had assumed upon himself voluntary poverty and humility. Saint Gregory then took the collier to his own lodging, where he washed off the grime, and gave him clean clothes. Returning then to the assembled people, Saint Gregory in front of everyone began to put to him questions from Holy Scripture, to which Saint Alexander answered like a knowledgeable and wise pastor. Seeing this, all were astonished at his humility and with one accord they elected him their bishop. Gregory ordained him priest, and later bishop. After the imposition of hands the new bishop preached a sermon to the people, full of power and the grace of God. And everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent them such a wise pastor. Under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) the saint bravely confessed Christ, and refused to worship idols. After tortures they threw him into a fire, and there he departed to God. According to other sources, Saint Alexander suffered instead under the emperor Decius (249-251). St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 20 ; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3;

Komana (Comana), Pontica Armenia (Iris River 2.3)
Komana (Comana), Pontica; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 20 ; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3;

Iris River 3, the Crossroads ( Pontus on the Iris, and Neocaesarea on the Kelkit)
MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1

Iris River Crossroads ( Pontus on the Iris, and Neocaesarea on the Kelkit) Macrina the Younger and Saint Basil
MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 1

Pontus, City of Pontus, Armenia (Eupatoria, a crossroads, Isis River 3)
Eupatoria (Pontus); Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch the Disciple of St Basil the Great, Commemorated January 30 ; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3;

Iris (Yesil) River 4 (Amasea)

Alasium, Pontine, Armenia (Amasea, Iris River 4)
Alasium or Amasea; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro "œthe Recruit"Â), Commemorated on February 17;

Pontica, Amasea, Pontine, Armenia (Iris River 4)
Amasea; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23 ; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3; St Hesychius the Faster of Bithynia, Commemorated on March 5; St Eutychius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 6 ; Hieromartyr Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 26; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Uncovering of the relics of St Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 30;

Amasea, Pontine, Armenia (Iris River 4)
Amasea; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23 ; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3; St Hesychius the Faster of Bithynia, Commemorated on March 5; St Eutychius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 6 ; Hieromartyr Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 26; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Uncovering of the relics of St Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 30;

Amasya, Pontica, Armenia (Yesil (Iris) River4)
Amasea; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated January 23; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated January 23; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3; St Eutychius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 6 ; Hieromartyr Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 26; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26; Uncovering of the relics of St Basil the Bishop of Amasea, Commemorated on April 30; Martyr Basiliscus the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on May 22;

Euchaita, Pontine, Armenia (west of Iris River 4)
Euchaita; Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, Commemorated January 30 ; Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates œthe GeneralÂ, Commemorated on February 8; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (œthe RecruitÂ), Commemorated on February 17; Translation of the relics of the Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates, Commemorated on June 8;

Iris (Yesil) River Mouth (Black Sea)

Amisus, Armenia, Pontine (near Iris River Mouth, on the shore of the sea)
Amisus; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9 ; Martyr Charitina of Amisus, Commemorated October 5 ; St Florus the Bishop of Amisus, Commemorated on December 18 ; Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus, Commemorated on March 20;

Armenia, Kelkit River Folder (Eastern Pontine)

Kelkit River

Kelkit River Source (Gumushane (Silver House))
Kelkit River, the road from Armenia to Bithynia; North Anatolian Fault;

Kelkit River 1 (Nicopolis, Armenia)

Nicopolis, Armenia, Pontaine (Kelkit River 1)
Nicopolis (Pontus); 45 Holy Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia, Commemorated July 10 ; St John the Silent of St Sabbas Monastery, Commemorated December 3 ;

Colonia, Pontine, Armenia (Koyluhisar or Nicopolis, Kelkit River1)
Colonia in Armenia (Koyluhisar or Nicopolis); St John the Silent of St Sabbas Monastery, Commemorated on December 3 ;

Kelkit River 2 (Pontus)

Pontus Polemoniacus Area, Armenia (Kelkit River 2)
Pontus Polemoniacus Area; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; Venerable Nikon "Metanoeite," the Preacher of Repentance, Commemorated November 26 ; St John the Silent of St Sabbas Monastery, Commemorated December 3 ; St Paul the Bishop of Neocaesarea, Commemorated December 23 ;

Kelkit River 3 (Neocaesarea, Pontus)

Neocaesarea, Pontus, Armenia (Kelkit River 3, Iris River Crossroads) Saint Gregory
Neocaesarea; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17; Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) into a pagan family. received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian. the continuation of his studies Saint Gregory went to Alexandria, known then as a center for pagan and Christian learning. The youth, eager for knowledge, went to the Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great strength of mind and profound knowledge. Saint Gregory became a student of Origen. Afterwards, the saint wrote about his mentor: “This man received from God a sublime gift, to be an interpreter of the Word of God for people, to apprehend the Word of God, as God Himself did use it, and to explain it to people, insofar as they were able to understand it.” Saint Gregory studied for eight years with Origen, and was baptized by him. ascetic life of Saint Gregory, his continence, purity and lack of covetousness aroused envy among his conceited and sin-loving peers, pagans that they were, and they decided to slander Saint Gregory. Once, when he was conversing with philosophers and teachers in the city square, a notorious harlot came up to him and demanded payment for the sin he had supposedly committed with her. At first Saint Gregory gently remonstrated with her, saying that she perhaps mistook him for someone else. But the profligate woman would not be quieted. He then asked a friend to give her the money. Just as the woman took the unjust payment, she immediately fell to the ground in a demonic fit, and the fraud became evident. Saint Gregory said a prayer over her, and the devil left her. This was the beginning of Saint Gregory’s miracles. returned to Neocaesarea, the saint fled from the worldly affairs into which influential townsmen persistently sought to push him. He went into the desert, where by fasting and prayer he attained to high spiritual accomplishment and the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. Saint Gregory loved life in the wilderness and wanted to remain in solitude until the end of his days, but the Lord willed otherwise. bishop of the Cappadocian city of Amasea, Thedimos, having learned of Saint Gregory’s ascetic life, decided to have him made Bishop of Neocaesarea. But having foreseen in spirit the intent of Bishop Thedimos, the saint hid himself from the messengers of the bishop who were entrusted to find him. Then Bishop Thedimos ordained the absent saint as Bishop of Neocaesarea, beseeching the Lord that He Himself would sanctify the unusual ordination. Saint Gregory perceived the extraordinary event as a manifestation of the will of God and he did not dare to protest. This episode in the life of Saint Gregory was recorded by Saint Gregory of Nyssa (January 10). He relates that Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea received the episcopal dignity only after Bishop Thedimos of Amasea performed all the canonical rites over him. this time, the heresy of Sabellius and Paul of Samosata began to spread. They taught falsely concerning the Holy Trinity. Saint Gregory prayed fervently and diligently imploring God and His most pure Mother to reveal to him the true faith. The All-Holy Virgin Mary appeared to him, radiant like the sun, and with Her was the Apostle John the Theologian dressed in archepiscopal vestments. the command of the Mother of God, the Apostle John taught the saint how to correctly and properly confess the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Saint Gregory wrote down everything that Saint John the Theologian revealed to him. The Mystery of the Symbol of the Faith, written down by Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea, is a great divine revelation in the history of the Church. The teaching about the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Theology is based on it. Subsequently it was used by the holy Fathers of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of Nyssa. The Symbol of Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea was later examined and affirmed in the year 325 by the First Ecumenical Council, showing his enduring significance for Orthodoxy. become a bishop, Saint Gregory set off to Neocaesarea. Along the way from Amasea he expelled devils from a pagan temple, the priest of which he converted to Christ. The convert was witness to still another miracle of the saint, at his word a large stone shifted from its place. preaching of the saint was direct, lively and fruitful. He taught and worked miracles in the name of Christ: he healed the sick, he helped the needy, he settled quarrels and complaints. Two brothers sharing an inheritance were not able to agree over the property of their dead father. There was a large lake over which they argued, for each of the brothers wanted the lake for himself. They both gathered their friends together, and were ready to come to blows. Saint Gregory persuaded them to delay their fight until the following day, and he himself prayed all night long at the shore of the lake which sparked the quarrel. When dawn broke, everyone saw that the lake had dried up or gone underground. Through the intense prayer of the saint, now there was only a stream, and its course defined the boundary line. Another time, during the construction of a church, he commanded a hill to move and make room at the place of the foundation. a persecution against Christians began under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Gregory led his flock to a faraway mountain. A certain pagan, knowing about the hiding place of the Christians, informed the persecutors. Soldiers surrounded the mountain. The saint went out into an open place, raised up his hands to heaven and ordered to his deacon to do the same. The soldiers searched the whole mountain, and they went several times right past those praying, but not seeing them, they gave up and went away. In the city they reported that there was nowhere to hide on the mountain: no one was there, and only two trees stood beside each other. The informer was struck with amazement, he repented of his ways and became a fervent Christian. Gregory returned to Neocaesarea after the end of the persecution. By his blessing church Feasts were established in honor of the martyrs who had suffered for Christ. his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased the number of converts to Christ. When Saint Gregory first ascended his cathedra, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea. At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city. The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; St Paul the Bishop of Neocaesarea, Commemorated December 23 ; Martyr Troadius of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on March 2; Holy Martyr Troadius suffered for Christ in Neocaesarea, Pontus under the emperor Decius (249-251), enduring horrible tortures. Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea (November 17) foretold his martyrdom and witnessed his sufferings in a vision. He also saw the soul of Saint Troadius departing from his body and hastening joyfully to Heaven. Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates, Commemorated on March 18;

Kelkit River Mouth (Yesil River 3)

Armenia, Harsit River Folder (Far Eastern Pontine)

Harsit River

Harsit River Source (Pontic Mountains)
Pontic Mountains or Pontine district of Northeast Asia Minor;

Pontic Mountains
Pontic Mountains or Pontine district of Northeast Asia Minor; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Âœthe RecruitÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ), Commemorated on February 17;

Lazeti, Armenia, Pontine (Harsit River Source)
Lazeti; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29;

Laz People, Harsit River Area, Eastern Pontaine - Land of the Laz People
Land of the Laz People; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29;

Laze, Armenia, Capital Artvin (Nigali Valley, Chorokhi River 4)
Laz People, Laze, Armenia, Capital Artvin; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29;

Kordila, Pontine, Armenia (Rize Province Georgia, Harsit River Area Pontine)
Kordila (Rize Province); Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24;

Chaneti, Pontine (Harsit River, Eastern Pontine)
Chaneti ; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29; Martyred Fathers and Mothers of Atchara, Commemorated on May 29;

Harsit River 1

Harsit River 2

Harsit River 3 (Argyropolis)

Argyropolis, Pontine (Harsit River 3)
Argyropolis (Harsit River 4); Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated October 31 ;

Harsit River 4 (near Zigana Pass)

Zigana Pass, Pontine (Harsit River 4)
Zigana Pass; Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24;

Harsit River 5

Harsit River Mouth (Black Sea)

Trebizond, Pontine, Armenia (Black Sea, Silk Road, Harsit River)
Trebizond (Black Sea, Silk Road) ; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9 ; Venerable Theodosius the Metropolitan of Trebizond, Commemorated on January 11 ; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated January 21; Martyr Eugene at Trebizond; Hieromartyr Theodore of Atchara, Commemorated February 17; St George the Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea, Commemorated February 21 ; New Martyr John the New of Sochi, who suffered at Belgrade, Commemorated on June 2; Venerable Athanasius the Founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on July 5;

Trebizond Empire, 13th-15th Centuries, Pontaine (Black Sea, Silk Road, Harsit River)
Trebizond Empire, 13th-15th Centuries, Pontaine (Black Sea, Silk Road, Harsit River); Trebizond (Black Sea, Silk Road) ; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9 ; Venerable Theodosius the Metropolitan of Trebizond, Commemorated on January 11 ; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated January 21; Martyr Eugene at Trebizond; Hieromartyr Theodore of Atchara, Commemorated February 17; St George the Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea, Commemorated February 21 ; New Martyr John the New of Sochi, who suffered at Belgrade, Commemorated on June 2; Venerable Athanasius the Founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on July 5;

Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia)
Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia); Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9;

Armenia, Tigris River Folder

Tigris River

Tigris River Route

Tigris River Source (Lake Hazar)

Tigris River 1

Tigris River 2 (Martyropolis, Turkey)

Martyropolis, Armenia (Tigris River 2)
Martyropolis; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16;

Tigris River 3 (Mosul Dam Lake)

Nisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3)
Nisibis (Mesopotamia); Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated January 28 ; St Platonida (Platonis) of Nisibis, Syria, Commemorated on April 6; Martyr Bata the Persian, Commemorated on May 1; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Sivapolis (Assur, Assyria)
Sivapolis (Assur, Assyria); Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Dura, Armenia (Tigress River 3)
Dura (Anastasiopolis or Dara, Messopotamia) ; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Anastasiopolis, Armenia (Dura or Dara, Tigris River 3)
Anastasiopolis, Messopotamia (Dura or Dara) Return of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari, Commemorated August 25 ; Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ;

Tigris River 4 (Nineveh, Mosul, Arabela, Persia)

Tigris River 5 (Assur, Persia)

Tigris River 6 (Samarra, Persia)

Tigris River 7 (Bagdad, Babylon, Persia)

Tirgis River 8

Tigris River 9

Tigris River 10 (Elymais, Persia)

Tigris River 11

Tigris River Mouth (Kwait, Euphrates River 13)

Armenia, Northeast Turkey and West Georgia, Laze Folder

Chorokhi River

Chorokhi River 4 (Nigali Gorge)

Laze, Armenia, Capital Artvin (Chorokhi River 4)
Laz People, Laze, Armenia, Capital Artvin; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29;

Atchara, Armenia (Adjara river region of Southwestern Georgia)
Atchara (Adjara River region of Southwestern Georgia); Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Hieromartyr Theodore of Atchara, Commemorated on February 17; Gallows and a guillotine were erected in the villages of Atcharistsqali, Keda, Chakvi, Khulo, Machakhela, and Gonio. The documents preserved in the manuscript collection at Akhaltsikhe Museum describe in even more horrific detail the martyrdom of the Atcharan Christians. Martyred Fathers and Mothers of Atchara, Commemorated on May 29;

Armenia, Ceyhan River Folder, Eastern Cilicia

Ceyhan River

Ceyan River 2nd Source

Ceyan River Source (along the border)

Lake Zagura, Cilicia
Lake Zagura; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, Commemorated on July 7;

Miasena Monastery Celicia, near Melitene Armenia
Miasena Monastery ; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, Commemorated on July 7;

Ceyhan River Source 2

Ceyan River 1

Ceyan River 2 (Cucusus)

Cucusus, Armenia and Cilicia (near Ceyan River 2), Remote place of several exiles
Cucusus, Syria (near Ceyan River 2), Remote place of several exiles; St. Paul the Confessor the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 6;

Cucusus, Armenia, Cappadocian Cucusus in the Taurian wilderness
Cucusus, Cappadocian Cucusus in the Taurian wilderness; Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 6;

Ceyan River 3

Ceyan River 4

Arabian Plate and Cilicia
Arabian Plate and Cilicia; Martyr and Unmercenary Cosmas and his brother in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 17;

Amanus Mountains, Cilicia
Amanus Mountains

Gulf of Isska, Eastern Cilicia, Armenia, near the city of Ossos
Gulf of Isska, near the city of Ossos; Saint Theodosius of Antioch, Commemorated on January 11;

Ceyan River 10 (Anazarbus)

Anazarbus, Cilicia (Aleian plain, Ceyhan River 10)
Anazarbus (Aleian plain, Ceyhan River); Martyr Domnina of Anazarbus, Commemorated on October 12 ; Marinus the Elder at Anazarbus, Commemorated October 18 ; Martyr Helladius in Cilicia, Commemorated February 5 ; Martyr Theodula of Anazarbus in Cilicia, Commemorated February 5 ; Martyr Julian of Anazarbus, Commemorated on March 16

Aleian plain, Cilicia
Aleian plain;

Isso (Sis), Cilicia (Aleian River Plain, Ceyhan River 10)
Sis (Isso), Cilicia (Aleian River Plain, Ceyhan River 10); Isso in Cilicia, Sis (Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia) ; St. Simeon Stylites, the Elder, Commemorated on September 1; Venerable Martha the Mother of St Simeon Stylites, Commemorated on September 1; Martyr Aristion the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated September 3 ;

Ceyan River 11 (Adana)

Ceyan River 12 (Colophon)

Colophon, Cilicia (Ceyhan River Mouth)
Colophon, Cilicia ; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated September 7 ;

Ceyhan (Prymus) River Mouth (Mediterranean Sea)
Ceyhan River;

Aegeae, Cilicia (Ceyhan River Mouth)
Aegeae, Cilicia; Cilicia, 250-287, Unmercenaries, Saints, Cosmos and Damien; Venerable Joseph of Zaonikiev Monastery, Vologda, Commemorated on September 21; Martyr Claudius of Aegae in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 29; Martyr Zenobia of Aegae in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 30; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cosmas of Asia Minor, Commemorated on November 1 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Damian of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on November 1 ;

Armenia, Paphlagonia Folder, Western Pontine

Paphlagonia Region, Pontaine, Armenia (Gangra River, lower Kizilirmak River drainage)
Paphlagonia Region; Hieromartyr Pancratius the Bishop of Taormina in Sicily, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Anthusa the Abbess of Mantinea in Asia Minor, Commemorated on July 27; 90 Venerable Sisters of Mantinea in Asia Minor, Commemorated on July 27; Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor, Commemorated on July 29; Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Macrobius at Tomis in Romania, Commemorated on September 13; St Hypatius of Gangra, Commemorated on November 16; Martyr Macrobius at Tomis in Romania; St Nicetas the Confessor of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on October 13 ; Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on November 26 ; Venerable Stylianus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on November 26 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10 ; St Niphon the Bishop of Cyprus, Commemorated December 23 ; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23 ; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23; Venerable Simeon the New Theologian, Commemorated on March 12; St Hypatius the Wonderworker and Bishop of Gangra, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7 ;

Armenia, Paphlagonia, Lycus River Folder, Farwestern Pontine

Lycus River of Bithynia (and Paphlagonia)

Amastris, Pontus, Armenia
Amastridia; Martyr Hyacinthus of Amastris, Commemorated on July 18 ; St George the Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea, Commemorated February 21 ; St John the Bishop of the Goths in the Crimea, Commemorated on May 19; St John the Bishop of the Goths in the Crimea, Commemorated on June 26;

Amastridia, Pontus, Armenia
Amastridia; Martyr Hyacinthus of Amastris, Commemorated on July 18 ; St George the Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea, Commemorated February 21 ; St John the Bishop of the Goths in the Crimea, Commemorated on May 19; St John the Bishop of the Goths in the Crimea, Commemorated on June 26;

Heraclea, Pontica, Armenia (Lycus River Mouth, Black Sea)
Heraclea Pontica (Lycus River Mouth, Black Sea) ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated on September 16; Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates "the General", Commemorated February 8 ; Translation of the relics of the Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates, Commemorated on June 8;

Armenia, Paphlagonia, Lower Kizilirmak River Folder

Kizilirmak River

Mantinea in Paphlagonia Asia Minor
Mantinea Asia Minor is somewhere in the Paphlagonia Region; Mantinea in Greece ; Regions of Ancient Greece - Asia Minor; Asia Minor; Venerable Anthusa the Abbess of Mantinea in Asia Minor, Commemorated July 27; 90 Venerable Sisters of Mantinea in Asia Minor, Commemorated July 27 ;

Pompeiopolis, Paphlagonia
Pompeiopolis, Paphlagonia; The exact location of Pompeiopolis, Paphlagonia is 45 km north of Kastamonu, to the north of TaÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â…ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂŸkÃƒÂƒÃ‚ÂƒÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â¶prÃƒÂƒÃ‚ÂƒÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â¼, in the valley of the GÃƒÂƒÃ‚ÂƒÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â¶kÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â„ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â±rmak (Roman name Amnias, or Amneus). Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7;

Adrianopolis, Paphlogonia
Adrianopolis, Paphlogonia; Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on November 26 ; Venerable Stylianus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on November 26 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated on December 1 ;

Black Sea (Varangian Sea, Romania to Georgia)
Black Sea (Varangian Sea, Romania to Georgia); Note: Wikipedia assumes the Varangian Sea was the Baltic Sea, but the stories of the saints refer to the Black Sea as the Varangian Sea. Varangians; Varangian Sea (Black Sea), Both Sides of Varangian Sea (Romania and Georgia); St Olga the Princess of Russia, in Holy Baptism Called Helen, Commemorated on July 11; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on July 22 ; Venerable Gregory of Sinai, Mt. Athos, Commemorated on August 8; The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on October 1; Repose of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated November 23 ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated November 30; Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; St Theophylactus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 8; Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; Apostle Simon Zealotes, Commemorated on May 10 ; Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24 ; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2;

Varangian Sea (Black Sea, Romania to Georgia)
Black Sea; Note: Wikipedia assumes the Varangian Sea was the Baltic Sea, but the stories of the saints refer to the Black Sea as the Varangian Sea. Varangians; Varangian Sea (Black Sea), Both Sides of Varangian Sea (Romania and Georgia); St Olga the Princess of Russia, in Holy Baptism Called Helen, Commemorated on July 11; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on July 22 ; The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on October 1 ; Repose of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated November 23 ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated November 30; Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; St Theophylactus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 8; Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; Apostle Simon Zealotes, Commemorated on May 10; Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24 ; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2;

Kizilirmak River 6 (Paphlagonia)

Kizilirmak River 7 (Paphlagonia)

Armenia, Paphlagonia, Pontine, Lower Kizilirmak River 7, Gangra River Folder

Gangra River

Gangra River Source (along the border)

Gangra, Paphlagonia, Armenia (rich well watered valley, Gangra River)
Gangra; Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor, Commemorated on July 29; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor; St Hypatius of Gangra, Commemorated on November 16; Martyr Eustathius of Nicea, Commemorated on November 20 ; Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on November 26 ; Venerable Stylianus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on November 26 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated on December 10; Hieromartyr Clement the Bishop of Ancyra, Commemorated on January 23 ; Martyr Agathangelus, Commemorated on January 23; Martyr Eustathius of Nicea; St Hypatius the Wonderworker and Bishop of Gangra, Commemorated on March 31; St Hypatius the Wonderworker and Bishop of Gangra, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7 ;

Gangra River Mouth (Kizilirmak River 7)

Battle of the River Amnia (89 BC)
Battle of the River Amnia; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ;

Armenia, Paphlagonia, Pontine, Lower Kizilirmak River 7, Amnia River Folder

Amnia River

Amnia River Region
Amnia River Region is on the Amnia River near the Battle of Amnia; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ;

Amnia River Source (Kasaba, Paphlagonia)

Pompeiopolis, Paphlagonia, Armenia (Amnia River Source)
Pompeiopolis, Paphlagonia; Martyr Calliopius at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, Commemorated on April 7;

Amnia River 1

Amnia River 2

Amnia River 3

Amnia River Mouth (Kizilirmak River 7)

Amnia, Paphlagonia, Armenia (probably here at the mouth of the Amnia River)
Amnia (probably here at the mouth of the Amnia River); Amnia River Region is on the Amnia River near the Battle of Amnia; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ;

Kizilirmak River 8 (Paphlagonia)

Kizilirmak River Mouth (Black Sea)

Sinope, Paphlagonia, Armenia (Pontine Capital, near Kizilirmak River Mouth, Black Sea)
Sinope, Turkey (Black Sea); Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on July 22 ; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated August 9 ; Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope; Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5 ; St Paul the Confessor the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 6 ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30 ; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; Righteous Virginmartyr Glaphyra, Commemorated on April 26;

Armenia, Roman Roads Folder

Armenia, Kizilirmak River Folder, Great Road from Ephesus to Euphrates, Cappadocia

Kizilirmak River Source (Imranli)
Imranli;

Kizilirmak River 1 (Sivas or Sebastea)

Sebaste, Armenia (high point, Iris River Source, Kizilirmak River 1)
Sebaste, Cappadocia; Hieromartyr Athenogenes the Bishop of Heracleopolis, Commemorated on July 16; Martyr Antiochus the Physician of Sebaste, Commemorated on July 16; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379); Martyr Severian of Sebaste, Commemorated on September 9; Martyr Irenarchus at Sebaste, Commemorated on November 28 ; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated December 13 ; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated December 18 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Commemorated on March 9;

Kizilirmak River 2 (near Charsianon Fortress)

Kizilirmak River 3 (near Pinarbasi, Cappadocia)

Kizilirmak River 4 (Caesurea (Kayseri), Cappadocia)

Cappadocia, Armenia (Central Anatolia)
Cappadocia; Martyr Hilary of Ancyra, Commemorated July 12 ; Venerable Michael of Maleinus, Commemorated on July 12 ; Martyr Marcian of Iconium, Commemorated on July 13 ; Hieromartyr Athenogenes the Bishop of Heracleopolis, Commemorated on July 16; Martyr Antiochus the Physician of Sebaste, Commemorated on July 16; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; Venerable Anthusa the Abbess of Mantinea in Asia Minor, Commemorated on July 27; St Irene Chrysovolantou, Commemorated on July 28; Martyr Julitta at Caesarea, Commemorated July 31 ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; St Simeon Stylites, the Elder, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 7 ; Martyr Severian of Sebaste, Commemorated on September 9 ; Martyr Theodota at Nicea, Commemorated on September 17 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Martyr Orestes of Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 10 ; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24 ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19; Martyr Julitta at Caesarea, Commemorated on July 31 ; Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 31; St Meletius the New, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Theodota at Nicea, Commemorated September 17 ; Venerable Igantius the Abbot in Asia Minor, Commemorated September 27 ; 33 Holy Martyrs of Melitene, Commemorated November 6 ; Martyr Orestes of Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 10 ; St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 20 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Damascus, Commemorated on December 4 ; Venerable Sava the Sanctified, Commemorated on December 5 ; Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated December 12 ; Venerable Theodora of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated December 30 ; Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated January 1 ; St Basil the Great the Archbishop of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated January 1 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; Venerable Theodosius the Great, the Cenobiarch, Commemorated on January 11 ; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated January 14 ; Martyr Speusippus in Cappadocia, Commemorated on January 16 ; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19 ; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on January 25 ; Translation of the relics of St John Chrysostom the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 27 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; The Meeting of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple, Commemorated on February 2 ; Martyr Eubulus at Caesarea, Cappadocia, February 2 ; Martyr Blaise of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated February 3 ; Virginmartyr Dorothy at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated Febuary 6 ; Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates œthe GeneralÂ, Commemorated on February 8 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated February 9 ; Martyr Pamphilius the Presbyter at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated on February 16; St Agapitus the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, Commemorated February 18 ; Martyr Victor of Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18; St Agapitus the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, Commemorated February 18; St Leo of Cappadocia, Commemorated on February 28; Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of Cyrenia, Commemorated on March 2; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); St Hypatius the Wonderworker and Bishop of Gangra, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Sava the Goth of Wallachia, Commemorated on April 15; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George, Commemorated on April 23; Venerable Thomas the Fool of Syria, Commemorated on April 24; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); St Akaki Asistavi of Georgia, Commemorated on May 7; St Alexander the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on May 16 ; Glorification of the Venerable Zebulon, the father of St Nino Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on May 20; Martyr Basiliscus the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on May 22; Hieromartyr Therapon the Bishop of Sardis, Commemorated on May 27; St John the Russian and Confessor, whose relics are on the island of Euboia, Commemorated on May 27; Martyr Hermias at Comana, Commemorated on May 31 ; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Hieromartyr Terence the Bishop of Iconium, Commemorated on June 21; Martyr Hyacinthus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 3; Martyr Theodotus at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 4; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, Commemorated on July 7;

Caesurea (Kayseri), Armenia, Cappadocian Capital (Great Road, Kizilirmak River 4)
Caesurea, Cappadocia; Martyr Antiochus the Physician of Sebaste, Commemorated on July 16; Martyr Julitta at Caesarea, Commemorated on July 31; Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2; Martyr Theodotus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated September 2 ; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on September 7 ; Martyr Theodota at Nicea, Commemorated September 17 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Martyr Barlaam of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated November 19 ; St Amphilochius the Bishop of Iconium, Commemorated on November 23 ; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24 ; Venerable Theodora of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated December 30 ; Martyr Basil of Ancyra, Commemorated January 1 ; St Basil the Great the Archbishop of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated January 1 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated January 1 ; Martyr Gordius at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated January 3 ; St Carterius of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Commemorated January 8 ; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; Martyr Eubulus at Caesarea, Cappadocia, February 2 ; Martyr Blaise of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated February 3 ; Virginmartyr Dorothy at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated Febuary 6 ; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); Martyr Quadratus and the rest of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 10; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Venerable Thomas the Fool of Syria, Commemorated on April 24; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389); BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379); Martyr Hyacinthus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 3; Martyr Theodotus at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 4;

Maza, temporary name of Caesarea (Kayseri) Armenia, by Julian the Apostate
Maza, temporary name of Caesarea (Kayseri) Armenia, by Julian the Apostate Eupsychius was filled with zeal for the Lord, and he destroyed the temple. He knew that this would inevitably result in his punishment. Saint Eupsychius distributed all his possessions to the poor and prepared himself for martyrdom. enraged emperor Julian loosed his wrath not only upon Saint Eupsychius, but against all the inhabitants of this city. Some of the citizens were executed, while the more respectable were sent into exile. Christian clergy were drafted into military service, and he looted the churches of anything valuable. The city was deprived of its title Caesarea [i.e. “Imperialâ€] and resumed its original name of Maza. He also imposed a severe tax on the inhabitants. The emperor threatened to annihilate the city altogether, if the people did not build a new pagan temple in place of the one destroyed. tried to compel Saint Eupsychius to offer sacrifice to idols. For many days they tormented the saint on a rack, and also with iron claws. But his faith was firm, and the judge sentenced the martyr to be beheaded with a sword. Julian embarked on a campaign against the Persians, marching through Cappadocia and approaching Caesarea. Danger threatened the city, since the emperor intended to raze it to its foundations. But then Saint Basil the Great (January 1), showing Julian the proper respect as sovereign authority, came out to meet him carrying with him three loaves of barley bread, which he ate. The emperor ordered his retainers to take the loaves, and to give Saint Basil a pinch of hay saying, “You have given us barley, cattle fodder. Now receive hay from us in return.â€ saint answered, “O Emperor, we bring you that which we ourselves eat, and you give us cattle feed. You mock us, since you, by your might, are not able to transform hay into bread, the essential food of mankind.â€ angrily retorted, “I’ll shove this hay down your throat when I return here from Persia. I shall raze this city to its very foundations, and plow over this ground and turn it into a field. I know that it was on your advice that the people dared to destroy the statues and temple of Fortuna.â€ this the emperor continued on his way, but soon perished in his campaign against the Persians. He was struck down in the year 363 by the holy Great Martyr Mercurius (November 24). the emperor’s demise, the Christians of the city of Caesarea built a splendid church over the grave of Saint Eupsychius, and from his holy relics they received help and healing. Caesurea, Cappadocia; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Holy Martyr Eupsychius was born in the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia and received a Christian upbringing by his illustrious parents. the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363), Saint Eupsychius entered into a Christian marriage. Caesarea there was a pagan temple to the goddess Fortuna, whom Julian the Apostate revered. As Eupsychius was going to his wedding, the pagans were offering sacrifice to the goddess Fortuna. Eupsychius was filled with zeal for the Lord, and he destroyed the temple. He knew that this would inevitably result in his punishment. Saint Eupsychius distributed all his possessions to the poor and prepared himself for martyrdom. enraged emperor Julian loosed his wrath not only upon Saint Eupsychius, but against all the inhabitants of this city. Some of the citizens were executed, while the more respectable were sent into exile. Christian clergy were drafted into military service, and he looted the churches of anything valuable. The city was deprived of its title Caesarea [i.e. “Imperialâ€] and resumed its original name of Maza. He also imposed a severe tax on the inhabitants. The emperor threatened to annihilate the city altogether, if the people did not build a new pagan temple in place of the one destroyed. tried to compel Saint Eupsychius to offer sacrifice to idols. For many days they tormented the saint on a rack, and also with iron claws. But his faith was firm, and the judge sentenced the martyr to be beheaded with a sword. Julian embarked on a campaign against the Persians, marching through Cappadocia and approaching Caesarea. Danger threatened the city, since the emperor intended to raze it to its foundations. But then Saint Basil the Great (January 1), showing Julian the proper respect as sovereign authority, came out to meet him carrying with him three loaves of barley bread, which he ate. The emperor ordered his retainers to take the loaves, and to give Saint Basil a pinch of hay saying, “You have given us barley, cattle fodder. Now receive hay from us in return.â€ saint answered, “O Emperor, we bring you that which we ourselves eat, and you give us cattle feed. You mock us, since you, by your might, are not able to transform hay into bread, the essential food of mankind.â€ angrily retorted, “I’ll shove this hay down your throat when I return here from Persia. I shall raze this city to its very foundations, and plow over this ground and turn it into a field. I know that it was on your advice that the people dared to destroy the statues and temple of Fortuna.â€ this the emperor continued on his way, but soon perished in his campaign against the Persians. He was struck down in the year 363 by the holy Great Martyr Mercurius (November 24). the emperor’s demise, the Christians of the city of Caesarea built a splendid church over the grave of Saint Eupsychius, and from his holy relics they received help and healing.

Comana, Armenia (Pontica, Armenia, Cappadocia or Cilicia, Zamanti Seyhan River Valley)
Comana (Cappadocia); Hieromartyr Alexander the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on August 12; St Proclus the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on November 20 ; Translation of the relics of St John Chrysostom the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 27 ; Martyr Basiliscus the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on May 22; Third Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated on May 25; Martyr Hermias at Comana, Commemorated on May 31;

Mount Argeos, Armenia
Mount Argeos; Hieromartyr Blaise the Bishop of Sebaste, Commemorated February 11;

Prokopion, Armenia, Asia Minor
Prokopion (renamed Urgup by the Turks) ; St John the Russian and Confessor, whose relics are on the island of Euboia, Commemorated on May 27;

Sasima, Armenia
Sasima, St Basil the Great made St Gregory bishop of the city of Sasima, a small town between Caesarea and Tyana. ; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389) ;

Nazianzos, Cappadocia, Armenia (Great Road from Ephesus)
Nazianzos; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395); GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389) ; Saint Caesarius, brother of Saint Gregory the Theologian, Commemorated on March 9;

Tyana, Armenia, Cappadocia and Cilicia
Tyana the Hittite Capital; Martyr Orestes of Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 10 ; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; BASIL THE GREAT, BISHOP, THEOLOGIAN (14 JUNE 379) ; GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389);

Kizilrmak River 5 (Nyssa, Cappadocia)

Nyssa, Cappadocia, Armenia (Kizilirmak River 5)
Nyssa, Cappadocia; MACRINA THE YOUNGER, MONASTIC AND TEACHER (19 JUL 379) ; Venerable Macrina the Sister of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on July 19 ; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated November 17 ; St Emilia, the Mother of St Basil the Great, Commemorated on January 1 ; St Peter the Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, Commemorated January 9 ; St Gregory the Bishop of Nyssa, Commemorated January 10; Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, Commemorated January 10 ; The Meeting of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple, Commemorated on February 2 ; GREGORY OF NYSSA, (9 MAR 395);

Armenia, Euphrates Kizilirmak Rivers Folder, Great Road, Syria

Euphrates River

Euphrates River - Western Euphrates

Euphrates River 1

Arabrak (Arabraces), Armenia (Euphreates River 1)
Arabrak (Arabraces), Armenia ; Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste, Commemorated on December 13 ;

Euphrates River 2 (Melitene)

Armenia, Edessa and Melitene area Folder, Top Left of the Fertile Crescent

Edessa area of Euphrates River

Armenia, Edessa and Melitene, Euphrates River Folder, Great Road

Melitene, Armenia (Intersection Road from Ephesus and Euphrates River 2)
Malatya; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia; Martyr Eudoxius; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on April 17; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28;

Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Melitene)
Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Melitene); Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;

Euphrates River 3 (Samosata and Edessa)

Samosata, Armenia (Euphrates River 3)
Samosata; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17 ; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Martyr Romanus at Samosata, Commemorated January 29 ; St Rabulas of Samosata, Commemorated February 19 ; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22;

Edessa, Armenia (Intersection and Euphrates River 3)
Edessa, Syria; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Simeon of Emessa the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on July 21; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in August, Commemorated on August 16; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in AugustÂ, Commemorated on August 16 ; BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT, THEOLOGIAN, AND POET (20 AUGUST 1153); Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated August 21 ; Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy, was by descent a Hebrew, and he was born in the Syrian city of Edessa. The holy Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy must be distinguished from Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus or Levi (June 19), who was one of the Twelve Apostles. he came to Jerusalem for a feastday, he heard the preaching of John the Forerunner. After being baptized by him in the Jordan, he remained in Palestine. He saw the Savior, and became His follower. He was chosen by the Lord to be one of the Seventy Disciples, whom He sent by twos to preach in the cities and places where He intended to visit (Luke. 10: 1). the Ascension of the Savior to Heaven, Saint Thaddeus preached the good news in Syria and Mesopotamia. He came preaching the Gospel to Edessa and he converted King Abgar, the people and the pagan priests to Christ. He backed up his preaching with many miracles (about which Abgar wrote to the Assyrian emperor Nerses). He established priests there and built up the Edessa Church. Abgar wanted to reward Saint Thaddeus with rich gifts, but he refused and went preaching to other cities, converting many pagans to the Christian Faith. He went to the city of Beirut to preach, and he founded a church there. It was in this city that he peacefully died in the year 44. (The place of his death is indicated as Beirut in the Slavonic MENAION, but according to other sources he died in Edessa. According to an ancient Armenian tradition, Saint Thaddeus, after various tortures, was beheaded by the sword on December 21 in the Artaz region in the year 50). Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons, Commemorated on August 21; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25 ; Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated on September 1 ; Martyr Juventinus the Soldier at Antioch, Commemorated on September 5 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated September 5 ; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Commemorated September 7 ; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria, Commemorated on October 4; Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch, Commemorated October 8 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated October 15 ; Venerable Abramius the Recluse of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on October 29 ; Martyr and Confessor Gurias of Edessa, Commemorated on November 15 ; St Theodoulus the Eparch of Constantinople, Commemorated December 3 ; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated December 10 ; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; St Eustratius the Wonderworker, Commemorated on January 9 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29 ; St Sarbelus of Edessa, January 29 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31 ; Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria; Venerable Alexander the founder of the Monastery, of the "Unsleeping Ones", Commemorated February 23 ; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7; Venerable Alexis the Man of God, Commemorated on March 17; Venerable Hilarion the New the Abbot of Pelecete, Commemorated on March 28 ; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; EARLY ABBOTS of CLUNY, 30 April 909 ; EPHREM OF EDESSA, DEACON AND HYMN-WRITER (10 JUNE 373); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; St Alexander the Founder of the Monastery of the "œUnsleeping Ones"Â, Commemorated on July 3 ;

Edessa, Armenia (abundant water)
Edessa in Syria which is also called upper Messopotamia. County of Edessa; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa, Commemorated on July 9 ; Venerable Simeon of Emessa the Fool-For-Christ, Commemorated on July 21; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9 ; Translation of the Image "œNot-Made-By-Hands"Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in August"Â, Commemorated on August 16; Translation of the Image "Not-Made-By-Hands" of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third œFeast of the Savior in AugustÂ, Commemorated on August 16 ; BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT, THEOLOGIAN, AND POET (20 AUGUST 1153); Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated August 21 ; Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons, Commemorated on August 21; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated September 5 ; Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Commemorated September 7 ; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria, Commemorated on October 4; Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch, Commemorated October 8 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated October 15 ; Venerable Abramius the Recluse of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on October 29 ; Martyr and Confessor Gurias of Edessa, Commemorated on November 15 ; St Theodoulus the Eparch of Constantinople, Commemorated December 3 ; Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia, Commemorated December 10 ; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; St Eustratius the Wonderworker, Commemorated on January 9 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; Abgar monastery; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29 ; St Sarbelus of Edessa, January 29 ; Wonderworker and Unmercenary Cyrus, Commemorated on January 31 ; Venerable Alexis the Man of God, Commemorated on March 17; Venerable Hilarion the New the Abbot of Pelecete, Commemorated on March 28; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; EARLY ABBOTS of CLUNY, 30 April 909 ; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7; Martyr Michael "œthe Black-Robed"Â of St Sava Monastery, Commemorated on May 23; EPHREM OF EDESSA, DEACON AND HYMN-WRITER (10 JUNE 373); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; St Alexander the Founder of the Monastery of the "œUnsleeping Ones"Â, Commemorated on July 3 ; St Theodore the Bishop of Edessa, Commemorated on July 9;

Unsleeping Ones Monastery, Edessa, Armenia, about 400 (Euphrates River 3)
Unsleepinge Ones Monastery, Edessa, Armenia advanced through all the degrees of monastic obedience, he received a blessing from the igumen to dwell in the wilderness. The saint lived an ascetical life in the wilderness, taking only the Holy Gospel with him. Afterwards, the Lord summoned him to preach to pagans. He converted to the faith the local city-head Rabbul, who afterwards prospered in the service of the Church, attaining the rank of bishop, and for thirty years, he occupied the bishop’s cathedra in the city of Edessa. Saint Alexander settled not far from the Euphrates River. Monks gathered around him, attracted by the loftiness of his prayerful asceticism and spiritual experience. A monastery of 400 monks eventually sprang up there. the holy igumen in his prayerful zeal decided to offer never-ceasing praise to the Lord at the monastery both by day and by night. For three years the holy abba prayed that God might reveal to him whether it was pleasing to Him to establish such a monastic rule. He received an answer by divine revelation. All the monks were divided into twenty-four watches of prayer. Changing shifts each hour, two choirs sang the holy Psalms both day and night, except when divine services were celebrated in church. Hence the name “Monastery of Unsleeping Ones,â€ since the ascetics offered unceasing praise to God. Alexander guided the monastery on the Euphrates for twelve years. Thereafter, having left the experienced Elder Trophimus as igumen, he set off with some chosen brethren through the cities bordering on Persia, to preach the Gospel. Having arrived at Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, he also established a monastery there with his Rule of unceasing praise. The abba died at a great old age after fifty years of monastic struggles. His death occurred in the year 430. Venerable Alexander, founder of the Monastery of the “Unsleeping Onesâ€, Commemorated on February 23

Hellenopolis, Syria (Edessa area)
Hellenopolis ; Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9;

Jacob's Ladder, Haran, Edessa, Syria
Jacob's Ladder, Haran ; Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, Commorated on September 7 ;

Carrhae, Armenia (modern Harran, near Edessa)
Carrhae (modern Harran) ; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25; St Abraham the Bishop of Charres in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 14 ;

Constantina, Armenia and Syria (Kurdish Turkey, NE of Edessa)
Constantina; Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. this, Saint Irene walked into the city and performed many miracles. She returned to the tower built by her father, accompanied by the priest Timothy. Through her teaching, she converted five thousand people to Christ. Next, the saint went to the city of Callinicus, or Callinicum (possibly on the Euphrates River in Syria). The ruler of that place was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. When she began to teach about Christ, she was arrested and tortured by the pagan authorities. They enclosed her inside three bronze oxen, one after another, which were heated until they were red-hot. When the Great Martyr was placed within the third ox, it began to walk about, and then it split asunder. Saint Irene emerged from it as if from the fires of hell. This resulted in thousands of souls converting to the faith of Christ. the approach of death, Numerian instructed his eparch Babdonus to continue torturing the saint in order to force her to sacrifice to idols. Once again, the tortures were ineffective, and many people turned to Christ. ’s holy martyr then traveled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa. By 330, the Persian king Sapor II (309-379) had heard of Saint Irene’s great miracles. To prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was arrested, beheaded, and then buried. However, God sent an angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria. After seeing her alive and hearing her preach, the local king was baptized with many of his subjects. Wishing to convert even more pagans to Christianity, Saint Irene went to Ephesus, where she taught the people and performed many miracles. The Lord revealed to her that the end of her life was approaching. Then Saint Irene left the city accompanied by six people, including her former teacher Apellian. On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. After making the Sign of the Cross, she went inside, directing her companions to seal the entrance to the cave with a large stone, which they did. She also told them that that no one should move the stone until four days had passed. returned after only two days, and found that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. There are conflicting accounts about her holy relics being taken to Constantinople and other places, including Patras, Samos, and Patmos. According to the Western Martyrologies, Saint Irene was martyred in Thessaloniki after being thrown into the fire, while according to the Menologion of Emperor Basil II, Saint Irene completed her martyric contest by being beheaded. Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her preaching, and by her example. The Church continues to honor her memory and to seek her heavenly intercession. She is invoked by those wishing to effect a swift and happy marriage. In Greece, she is also the patron saint of policemen. Saint Irene is also one of the twelve Virgin Martyrs who appeared to Saint Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) and the Diveyevo nun Eupraxia on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1831. By her holy prayers, may the Lord have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

Zeugma, Syria (Euphrates River 3.5)
Zeugma, Syria; St Publius the Ascetic of Syria, Commemorated January 25 ;

Kobane, Syria (Euphrates River 3.5)
Kobane, Syria;

Euphrates River 4 (Hieropolis, Syria)

Armenia, Edessa and Melitene, Euphrates River 4, Sajur River Folder

Sajur River 1

Sajur River 2

Sajur River 3

Sajur River Source (two streams at Gaziantep)

Sajur River Mouth (Hieropolis and Pethor, Euphrates River 4)

Hieropolis in Syria (Sajur River Mouth, Euphrates River 4)
Hieropolis in Syria (Euphrates River 4) 30 kilometers west of the Euphrates; Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria, Commemorated on October 4; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated November 14 ;

Pethor (Sajur River Mouth, Euphrates River 4)
Pethor (Sajur River Mouth, Euphrates River 4); Numbers 22:1-21. Balak Summons Balaam (from Pethor) to Curse Israel;

Euphrates River 5 (Kings Highway)

Callinicus, or Callinicum, Armenia or Syria (Euphrates River 5)
Callinicus, or Callinicum; Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. this, Saint Irene walked into the city and performed many miracles. She returned to the tower built by her father, accompanied by the priest Timothy. Through her teaching, she converted five thousand people to Christ. Next, the saint went to the city of Callinicus, or Callinicum (possibly on the Euphrates River in Syria). The ruler of that place was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. When she began to teach about Christ, she was arrested and tortured by the pagan authorities. They enclosed her inside three bronze oxen, one after another, which were heated until they were red-hot. When the Great Martyr was placed within the third ox, it began to walk about, and then it split asunder. Saint Irene emerged from it as if from the fires of hell. This resulted in thousands of souls converting to the faith of Christ. the approach of death, Numerian instructed his eparch Babdonus to continue torturing the saint in order to force her to sacrifice to idols. Once again, the tortures were ineffective, and many people turned to Christ. ’s holy martyr then traveled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa. By 330, the Persian king Sapor II (309-379) had heard of Saint Irene’s great miracles. To prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was arrested, beheaded, and then buried. However, God sent an angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria. After seeing her alive and hearing her preach, the local king was baptized with many of his subjects.

Euphrates River 6 (Chebar River Mouth)

Euphrates River 7 (Bagdagi)
Euphrates River;

Euphrates River 8 (Faluja)

Euphrates River 9 (Babylon)

Euphrates River 10

Euphrates River 11 (Samara)

Euphrates River 12

Euphrates River 13 (Tigris River)

Euphrates River Mouth (Persian Gulf)

Armenia, Silk Road to Great Road and Yerevan Trade Route Folder

Silk Road Great Road Trade Route

Silk Road Great Road Trade Route 1 - Trebizond, Pontine, Armenia (Black Sea, Silk Road, Harsit River)
Trebizond (Black Sea, Silk Road) ; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9 ; Venerable Theodosius the Metropolitan of Trebizond, Commemorated on January 11 ; Martyr Neophytus of Nicea, Commemorated January 21; Martyr Eugene at Trebizond; Hieromartyr Theodore of Atchara, Commemorated February 17; St George the Bishop of Amastris on the Black Sea, Commemorated February 21 ; New Martyr John the New of Sochi, who suffered at Belgrade, Commemorated on June 2; Venerable Athanasius the Founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on July 5;

Sild Road, Great Road Trade Route 2 - Patara (high point, Pontine, Armenia)
Patara (Cappadocia); city lay on the major trade road from Trapezus on the Black Sea to Satala, and thence to Lake Van. Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route

Patara (high point on Trade Route connecting Silk Road Trebazond to Great Road at Mietelene to Yaravan)
Patara (Cappadocia); city lay on the major trade road from Trapezus on the Black Sea to Satala, and thence to Lake Van. Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route

Silk Road Great Road Trade Route 3 - Satala, Pontine, Armenia (on the road from Trabzon to Samosata and Lake Van)
Satala, Pontine, Armenia; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route

Silk Road to Great Road Trade Route 4 - Kemah Fortress, a high point
Kemah Fortress, a high point ; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route

Silk Road Great Road Trade Route 5 - Melitene, Armenia (Intersection Road from Ephesus and Euphrates River 2)
Malatya; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia; Martyr Eudoxius; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on April 17; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28;

Great Road To Yerevan Trade Route Folder - via Upper Euphrates

Great Road to Yerevan Armenia Trade Route via Upper Euphrates River

Great Road to Yerevan Armenia via Euphrates River Trade Route 1 - Samosata and Edessa, Armenia (Euphrates River 3)
Samosata; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch, Commemorated on October 15; St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea, Commemorated on November 17 ; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Martyr Romanus at Samosata, Commemorated January 29 ; St Rabulas of Samosata, Commemorated February 19 ; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22;

Great Road to Yerevan Trade Route 2 - Melitene, Armenia (Intersection Road from Ephesus and Euphrates River 2)
Malatya; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery, Commemorated September 1 ; Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on September 15; Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene, in Armenia, Commemorated on January 9 ; Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia; Martyr Eudoxius; St Acacius the Confessor, Commemorated on March 31; St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on April 17; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28;

Great Road to Yerevan Trade Route 3 - Armenia, 1071, Battle of Manzikert at Lake Van on Upper Euphrates
Armenia, Battle of Manzikert 1071; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route

Great Road to Yerevan Trade Route 3 - Lake Van, Taron Region
Lake Van; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Taron Region; Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;

Great Road to Yerevan Trade Route 4 - Euphrates River Source (Murat River Source)
Murat River Source, the Major Source of the Euphrates; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8;

Great Road to Yervan Trade Route 5 - Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Melitene)
Erevan (Yerevan Fortress, Melitene); Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; looking up Patara in Herodion's story, I discovered the Armenian trade route North to South from Silk Road at Trebizond to Great Road at Melitene, Samosata and Edessa and then East to West from Edessa to Yerevan along the Upper Euphrates. still do not know if this is the correct Patera for Herodion's story, but it was an important high point and fort along an important Trade Route Arab Muslim Conquest of Armenia 639;