Rome, 000, 1st Century, Folder, Roman Empire, Jesus.kmz

Rome, 000, 1st Century, Folder, Roman Empire, Jesus

Rome, 1-31, Saint, John the Baptist, John the Forerunner, he baptized Christ
Jerusalem Saint, 1 BC-29 AD, John the Baptist, John the Forerunner; Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated January 7 ; the Orthodox Church it is customary, on the day following the Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior. John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. Saint John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior’s Baptism. holy Prophet John, the son of the Priest Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth, was related to the Lord on His mother’s side. The holy Forerunner, John, was born six months before Christ. The Archangel Gabriel announced his birth in the Temple at Jerusalem, revealing to Zachariah that a son was to be born to him. the prayers offered beforehand, the child was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saint John prepared himself in the wilds of the desert for his great service by a strict life, by fasting, prayer and sympathy for the fate of God’s people. the age of thirty, he came forth preaching repentance. He appeared on the banks of the Jordan, to prepare the people by his preaching to accept the Savior of the world. In church hymnology, Saint John is called a “bright morning star,” whose gleaming outshone the brilliance of all the other stars, announcing the coming dawn of the day of grace, illumined with the light of the spiritual Sun, our Lord Jesus Christ. baptized the sinless Lamb of God, Saint John soon died a martyr’s death, beheaded by the sword on orders of King Herod at the request of his daughter Salome. (On Saint John the Baptist, see Mt.3:1-16, 11:1-19, 14:1-12; Mark 1:2-8, 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-25, 39-80, 3:1-20, 7:18-35, 9:7-9; John 1:19-34, 3:22-26). Transfer of the Right Hand of the holy Forerunner from Antioch to Constantinople (956) and the Miracle of Saint John the Forerunner against the Hagarenes (Moslems) at Chios: body of Saint John the Baptist was buried in the Samaritan city of Sebaste. The holy Evangelist Luke, who went preaching Christ in various cities and towns, came to Sebaste, where they gave him the right hand of the holy Prophet John, the very hand with which he had baptized the Savior. The Evangelist Luke took it with him to his native city of Antioch. the Moslems seized Antioch centuries later, a deacon named Job brought the holy hand of the Forerunner from Antioch to Chalcedon. From there, on the eve of the Theophany of the Lord, it was transferred to Constantinople (956) and kept thereafter. the year 1200, the Russian pilgrim Dobrynya, who later became Saint Anthony, Archbishop of Novgorod (February 10), saw the right hand of the Forerunner in the imperial palace. From the Lives of the Saints we learn that in the year 1263, during the capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders, the emperor Baldwin gave one bone from the wrist of Saint John the Baptist to Ottonus de Cichon, who then gave it to a Cistercian abbey in France. right hand continued to be kept in Constantinople. And at the end of the fourteenth to the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, the holy relic was seen at Constantinople in the Peribleptos monastery by the Russian pilgrims Stephen of Novgorod, the deacon Ignatius, the cantor Alexander and the deacon Zosimus. When Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, sacred objects were gathered up at the the conqueror’s orders and kept under lock in the imperial treasury. the Lives of the Saints is clear testimony that in the year 1484 the right hand of the holy Forerunner was given away by the son of the Moslem sultan Bayazet to the knights of Rhodes to gain their good will, since a dangerous rival for Bayazet, his own brother, had allied himself with them. A contemporary participant, the vice-chancellor of Rhodes, Wilhelm Gaorsan Gallo, also speaks of this event. The knights of Rhodes, having established their base on the island of Malta (in the Mediterranean Sea), then transferred the sacred relic they had received to Malta. the Russian Tsar Paul I (1796-1801) became Grand Master of the Maltese Order in honor of the holy Prophet John, the right hand of the Baptist, part of the Life-Creating Cross and the Philermos Icon (October 12) of the Mother of God (from Mt Philermos on the island of Rhodes) were transferred in 1799 from the island of Malta to Russia [because of the Napoleonic threat], to the chapel at Gatchina (October 12). In the same year these sacred items were transferred into the church dedicated to the Icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands at the Winter Palace. A special service was composed for this Feast. the Synaxis of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates his memory on the following days: September 23, his Conception; June 24, his Nativity; August 29, his Beheading; February 24, the First and Second Finding of his Head; May 25, the Third Finding of his Head; October 12, the Transfer of his Right Hand from Malta to Gatchina (1799).

Rome, 1-33, Lord Jesus Christ
Jerusalem, 1AD-33 AD, Lord Jesus Christ; Venerable Simeon Stylites the Younger of Wonderful Mountain, Commemorated on May 24;

Rome, 1 AD, Three Shepherds, Bethlehem, Judea, Angel Gabriel, great joy to all people, they first to offer worship
Rome, 1 AD, Three Shepherds, Bethlehem, Judea, Angel Gabriel, great joy to all people, they first to offer worship; Bethlehem; Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks, and went to see the Lord. Commemorated December 25; the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem during the reign of the emperor Augustus (Octavian). Caesar Augustus decreed that a universal census be made throughout his Empire, which then also included Palestinian Israel. The Jews were accustomed to be counted in the city from where their family came. The Most Holy Virgin and the Righteous Joseph, since they were descended from the house and lineage of King David, had to go to Bethlehem to be counted and taxed. Bethlehem they found no room at any of the city’s inns. Thus, the God-Man, the Savior of the world, was born in a cave that was used as a stable. “I behold a strange and most glorious mystery,” the Church sings with awe, “Heaven, a Cave; the Virgin the Throne of the Cherubim; the Manger a room, in which Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain is laid.” (Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon). given birth to the divine Infant without travail, the Most Holy Virgin “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). In the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. Besides the glad tidings to the Bethlehem shepherds, the Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). present Feast, commemorating the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, was established by the Church. Its origin goes back to the time of the Apostles. In the Apostolic Constitutions (Section 3, 13) it says, “Brethren, observe the feastdays; and first of all the Birth of Christ, which you are to celebrate on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.” In another place it also says, “Celebrate the day of the Nativity of Christ, on which unseen grace is given man by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” the second century Saint Clement of Alexandria also indicates that the day of the Nativity of Christ is December 25. In the third century Saint Hippolytus of Rome mentions the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, and appoints the Gospel readings for this day from the opening chapters of Saint Matthew. 302, during the persecution of Christians by Maximian, 20,000 Christians of Nicomedia (December 28) were burned in church on the very Feast of the Nativity of Christ. In that same century, after the persecution when the Church had received freedom of religion and had become the official religion in the Roman Empire, we find the Feast of the Nativity of Christ observed throughout the entire Church. There is evidence of this in the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church of the fourth century. John Chrysostom, in a sermon which he gave in the year 385, points out that the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is ancient, and indeed very ancient. In this same century, at the Cave of Bethlehem, made famous by the Birth of Jesus Christ, the empress Saint Helen built a church, which her mighty son Constantine adorned after her death. In the Codex of the emperor Theodosius from 438, and of the emperor Justinian in 535, the universal celebration of the day of the Nativity of Christ was decreed by law. Thus, Nikēphóros Callistus, a writer of the fourteenth century, says in his History that in the sixth century, the emperor Justinian established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ throughout all the world. Anatolius of Constantinople in the fifth century, Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem in the seventh, Saints John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Patriarch Germanus of Constantinople in the eighth, the Nun Cassiane in the ninth, and others whose names are unknown, wrote many sacred hymns for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are still sung by the Church on this radiant festival. the first three centuries, in the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Cyprus, the Nativity of Christ was combined together with the Feast of His Baptism on January 6, and called “Theophany” (“Manifestation of God”). This was because of a belief that Christ was baptized on anniversary of His birth, which may be inferred from Saint John Chrysostom’s sermon on the Nativity of Christ: “it is not the day on which Christ was born which is called Theophany, but rather that day on which He was baptized.” support of such a view, it is possible to cite the words of the Evangelist Luke who says that “Jesus began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23) when He was baptized. The joint celebration of the Nativity of Christ and His Theophany continued to the end of the fourth century in certain Eastern Churches, and until the fifth or sixth century in others. present order of services preserves the memory of the ancient joint celebration of the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany. On the eve of both Feasts, there is a similar tradition that one should fast until the stars appear. The order of divine services on the eve of both feastdays and the feastdays themselves is the same. Nativity of Christ has long been counted as one of the Twelve Great Feasts. It is one of the greatest, most joyful and wondrous events in the history of the world. “The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Those who heard these things were astonished at what the shepherds told them concerning the Child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:10-20). the Nativity of Christ, a most profound and extraordinary event, was accompanied by the wondrous tidings proclaimed to the shepherds and to the Magi. This is a cause of universal rejoicing for all mankind, “for the Savior is Born!” with the witness of the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church, in their God-inspired writings, describe the Feast of the Nativity of Christ as most profound, and joyous, serving as the basis and foundation for all the other Feasts. is Born! Glorify Him! also: Discourse on the Nativity of Christ by Saint Gregory Thaumatourgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea.

Rome, 1 AD, The Nativity, Judea, Agustus' census, born today, Lords' Nativity revealed to Magi by wonderous star
Jerusalem, 1 AD, The Nativity, Bethlehem, Judea, Agustus' census, King David's house in Bethlehem, cave used as a stable, birth without travail, swaddling clothes, Manger, midnight, Gabriel announced to shepherds, great joy, all people, born today, Savior, the Lord, Nativity revealed to Magi by wonderous star; Bethlehem; The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem during the reign of the emperor Augustus (Octavian). Caesar Augustus decreed that a universal census be made throughout his Empire, which then also included Palestinian Israel. Jews were accustomed to be counted in the city from where their family came. The Most Holy Virgin and the Righteous Joseph, since they were descended from the house and lineage of King David, had to go to Bethlehem to be counted and taxed. Bethlehem they found no room at any of the city’s inns. Thus, the God-Man, the Savior of the world, was born in a cave that was used as a stable. “I behold a strange and most glorious mystery,” the Church sings with awe, “Heaven, a Cave; the Virgin the Throne of the Cherubim; the Manger a room, in which Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain is laid.” (Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon). given birth to the divine Infant without travail, the Most Holy Virgin “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. Besides the glad tidings to the Bethlehem shepherds, Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). present Feast, commemorating the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, was established by the Church. Its origin goes back to the time of the Apostles. In the Apostolic Constitutions (Section 3, 13) it says, “Brethren, observe the feastdays; and first of all the Birth of Christ, which you are to celebrate on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.” In another place it also says, “Celebrate the day of the Nativity of Christ, on which unseen grace is given man by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” the second century Saint Clement of Alexandria also indicates that the day of the Nativity of Christ is December 25. In the third century Saint Hippolytus of Rome mentions the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, and appoints the Gospel readings for this day from the opening chapters of Saint Matthew. 302, during the persecution of Christians by Maximian, 20,000 Christians of Nicomedia (December 28) were burned in church on the very Feast of the Nativity of Christ. In that same century, after the persecution when the Church had received freedom of religion and had become the official religion in the Roman Empire, we find the Feast of the Nativity of Christ observed throughout the entire Church. There is evidence of this in the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church of the fourth century. John Chrysostom, in a sermon which he gave in the year 385, points out that the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is ancient, and indeed very ancient. In this same century, at the Cave of Bethlehem, made famous by the Birth of Jesus Christ, the empress Saint Helen built a church, which her mighty son Constantine adorned after her death. In the Codex of the emperor Theodosius from 438, and of the emperor Justinian in 535, the universal celebration of the day of the Nativity of Christ was decreed by law. Thus, Nikēphóros Callistus, a writer of the fourteenth century, says in his History that in the sixth century, the emperor Justinian established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ throughout all the world. Anatolius of Constantinople in the fifth century, Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem in the seventh, Saints John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Patriarch Germanus of Constantinople in the eighth, the Nun Cassiane in the ninth, and others whose names are unknown, wrote many sacred hymns for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are still sung by the Church on this radiant festival. the first three centuries, in the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Cyprus, the Nativity of Christ was combined together with the Feast of His Baptism on January 6, and called “Theophany” (“Manifestation of God”). This was because of a belief that Christ was baptized on anniversary of His birth, which may be inferred from Saint John Chrysostom’s sermon on the Nativity of Christ: “it is not the day on which Christ was born which is called Theophany, but rather that day on which He was baptized.” support of such a view, it is possible to cite the words of the Evangelist Luke who says that “Jesus began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23) when He was baptized. The joint celebration of the Nativity of Christ and His Theophany continued to the end of the fourth century in certain Eastern Churches, and until the fifth or sixth century in others. present order of services preserves the memory of the ancient joint celebration of the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany. On the eve of both Feasts, there is a similar tradition that one should fast until the stars appear. The order of divine services on the eve of both feastdays and the feastdays themselves is the same. Nativity of Christ has long been counted as one of the Twelve Great Feasts. It is one of the greatest, most joyful and wondrous events in the history of the world. “The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Those who heard these things were astonished at what the shepherds told them concerning the Child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:10-20). the Nativity of Christ, a most profound and extraordinary event, was accompanied by the wondrous tidings proclaimed to the shepherds and to the Magi. This is a cause of universal rejoicing for all mankind, “for the Savior is Born!” with the witness of the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church, in their God-inspired writings, describe the Feast of the Nativity of Christ as most profound, and joyous, serving as the basis and foundation for all the other Feasts. is Born! Glorify Him! also: Discourse on the Nativity of Christ by Saint Gregory Thaumatourgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea. Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks, and went to see the Lord. Commemorated December 25; the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind.

Rome, 1 AD, The Magi, from Persia to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, because Savior, Lord, Nativity revealed by wonderous star
Jerusalem, 1 AD, The Nativity, Bethlehem, Judea, Agustus' census, King David's house in Bethlehem, cave used as a stable, birth without travail, swaddling clothes, Manger, midnight, Gabriel announced to shepherds, great joy, all people, born today, Savior, the Lord, Nativity revealed to Magi by wonderous star; Bethlehem; The Adoration of the Magi: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar, Commemorated on December 25; Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). names of the three Wise Men (Magi) do not appear in the Gospels. The tradition that there were three visitors from the east is very ancient, but their names are only mentioned in the Middle Ages. reputed to be the relics of the three kings have been in the cathedral at Cologne, Germany since 1164. The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem during the reign of the emperor Augustus (Octavian). Caesar Augustus decreed that a universal census be made throughout his Empire, which then also included Palestinian Israel. Jews were accustomed to be counted in the city from where their family came. The Most Holy Virgin and the Righteous Joseph, since they were descended from the house and lineage of King David, had to go to Bethlehem to be counted and taxed. Bethlehem they found no room at any of the city’s inns. Thus, the God-Man, the Savior of the world, was born in a cave that was used as a stable. “I behold a strange and most glorious mystery,” the Church sings with awe, “Heaven, a Cave; the Virgin the Throne of the Cherubim; the Manger a room, in which Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain is laid.” (Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon). given birth to the divine Infant without travail, the Most Holy Virgin “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. Besides the glad tidings to the Bethlehem shepherds, Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). present Feast, commemorating the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, was established by the Church. Its origin goes back to the time of the Apostles. In the Apostolic Constitutions (Section 3, 13) it says, “Brethren, observe the feastdays; and first of all the Birth of Christ, which you are to celebrate on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.” In another place it also says, “Celebrate the day of the Nativity of Christ, on which unseen grace is given man by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” the second century Saint Clement of Alexandria also indicates that the day of the Nativity of Christ is December 25. In the third century Saint Hippolytus of Rome mentions the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, and appoints the Gospel readings for this day from the opening chapters of Saint Matthew. 302, during the persecution of Christians by Maximian, 20,000 Christians of Nicomedia (December 28) were burned in church on the very Feast of the Nativity of Christ. In that same century, after the persecution when the Church had received freedom of religion and had become the official religion in the Roman Empire, we find the Feast of the Nativity of Christ observed throughout the entire Church. There is evidence of this in the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church of the fourth century. John Chrysostom, in a sermon which he gave in the year 385, points out that the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is ancient, and indeed very ancient. In this same century, at the Cave of Bethlehem, made famous by the Birth of Jesus Christ, the empress Saint Helen built a church, which her mighty son Constantine adorned after her death. In the Codex of the emperor Theodosius from 438, and of the emperor Justinian in 535, the universal celebration of the day of the Nativity of Christ was decreed by law. Thus, Nikēphóros Callistus, a writer of the fourteenth century, says in his History that in the sixth century, the emperor Justinian established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ throughout all the world. Anatolius of Constantinople in the fifth century, Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem in the seventh, Saints John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Patriarch Germanus of Constantinople in the eighth, the Nun Cassiane in the ninth, and others whose names are unknown, wrote many sacred hymns for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are still sung by the Church on this radiant festival. the first three centuries, in the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Cyprus, the Nativity of Christ was combined together with the Feast of His Baptism on January 6, and called “Theophany” (“Manifestation of God”). This was because of a belief that Christ was baptized on anniversary of His birth, which may be inferred from Saint John Chrysostom’s sermon on the Nativity of Christ: “it is not the day on which Christ was born which is called Theophany, but rather that day on which He was baptized.” support of such a view, it is possible to cite the words of the Evangelist Luke who says that “Jesus began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23) when He was baptized. The joint celebration of the Nativity of Christ and His Theophany continued to the end of the fourth century in certain Eastern Churches, and until the fifth or sixth century in others. present order of services preserves the memory of the ancient joint celebration of the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany. On the eve of both Feasts, there is a similar tradition that one should fast until the stars appear. The order of divine services on the eve of both feastdays and the feastdays themselves is the same. Nativity of Christ has long been counted as one of the Twelve Great Feasts. It is one of the greatest, most joyful and wondrous events in the history of the world. “The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Those who heard these things were astonished at what the shepherds told them concerning the Child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:10-20). the Nativity of Christ, a most profound and extraordinary event, was accompanied by the wondrous tidings proclaimed to the shepherds and to the Magi. This is a cause of universal rejoicing for all mankind, “for the Savior is Born!” with the witness of the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church, in their God-inspired writings, describe the Feast of the Nativity of Christ as most profound, and joyous, serving as the basis and foundation for all the other Feasts. is Born! Glorify Him! also: Discourse on the Nativity of Christ by Saint Gregory Thaumatourgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea. Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks, and went to see the Lord. Commemorated December 25; the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind.

Rome, 1 AD (360BC-1AD), Simeon the God Receiver, Septuagint translator 360 BC, promised to see the Messiah before death
Jerusalem, 1 AD (360BC-1AD), Simeon the God Receiver, Sanhedrin wise man, Septuagint translator 360 BC, promised he would see the Messiah before death, a virgin will conceive; Jerusalem, 360BC-1AD, Saint Simeon the God Receiver ; Jerusalem, 360BC-1AD, Saint Simeon the God Receiver; Jerusalem King, 358 BC- 338 BC, Artaxerxes III; The Meeting of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple, Commemorated on February 2; Holy, Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver, Commemorated on February 3; Simeon the God-Receiver was, according to the testimony of the holy Evangelist Luke, a just and devout man waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him (Luke 2:25). promised him that he would not die until the promised Messiah, Christ the Lord, came into the world. historians tell us that the Egyptian pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-247 B.C.) wished to include texts of Holy Scripture in the famous Library at Alexandria. He invited scholars from Jerusalem, and the Sanhedrin sent their wise men. The Righteous Simeon was one of the seventy scholars who came to Alexandria to translate the Holy Scriptures into Greek. The completed work was called “The Septuagint,” and is the version of the Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church. Simeon was translating a book of the Prophet Isaiah, and read the words: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bring forth a Son” (Is 7:14). He thought that “virgin” was inaccurate, and he wanted to correct the text to read “woman.” At that moment an angel appeared to him and held back his hand saying, “You shall see these words fulfilled. You shall not die until you behold Christ the Lord born of a pure and spotless Virgin.” this day, Saint Simeon lived in expectation of the Promised Messiah. One day, the righteous Elder received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, and came to the Temple. It was on the very day (the fortieth after the Birth of Christ) when the All-Pure Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph had come to the Temple in order to perform the ritual prescribed by Jewish Law. Saint Simeon beheld their arrival, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the divine Child held by the All-Pure Virgin Mary was the Promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. The Elder took the Child in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). is a Christian epigram (Number 46) in “The Greek Anthology” which is addressed to Saint Simeon. It tells the righteous Elder to receive the Child Who was born before Adam, and Who will deliver Simeon from this life and bring him to eternal life. A similar idea is expressed in the Aposticha (Slavic use) for the Forefeast of the Nativity of the Lord (December 24). There the Mother of God refers to her Son as “older than ancient Adam.” blessed the All-Pure Virgin and Saint Joseph, and turning to the Mother of God he said, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). holy Evangelist continues: “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Aser. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband for seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not leave the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming at that very hour, also gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption at Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38). holy righteous Simeon the God-Receiver died at a great age (Tradition says he was 360). His holy relics were transferred to Constantinople in the sixth century. His grave was seen by the Russian pilgrim Saint Anthony, the future Archbishop of Novgorod (October 8) in 1200. Holy, Righteous Anna the Prophetess, Commemorated on February 3;

Rome, 1 AD, Anna the Prophetess, Jerusalem Temple, widow 84 yrs in the Temple, at the presentation she prophesied of Jesus
Jerusalem, 1 AD, Anna the Prophetess, Jerusalem Temple, widow 84 yrs in the Temple, coming at the presentation gave thanks and prophesied of Jesus to those who looked for redemption; Temple in Jerusalem; Holy, Righteous Anna the Prophetess, Commemorated Febraury 3 ; to Saint Luke’s Gospel, “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Aser. was of a great age, and had lived with a husband for seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not leave the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming at that very hour, also gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption at Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38).

Rome, 2, THE HOLY INNOCENTS, Bethlehem, when Magi did not return, Herod ordered all male children 2 and younger killed
Jerusalem, 002, THE HOLY INNOCENTS, Bethlehem, Judea, when Magi did not return to him, Herod ordered all Bethlehem male children 2 and younger killed; Bethlehem; 14,000 Infants (the Holy Innocents) slain by Herod at Bethlehem, Commemorated on December 29 ; Holy Infants were killed by King Herod in Bethlehem. the time came for the Incarnation of the Son of God and His Birth of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Magi in the East beheld a new star in the heavens, foretelling the Nativity of the King of the Jews. They journeyed immediately to Jerusalem to worship the Child, and the star showed them the way. worshipped the divine Infant, they did not return to Jerusalem to Herod, as he had ordered them, but being warned by God in a dream, they went back to their country by another way. finally realized that his scheme to find the Child would not be successful, and he ordered that all the male children two years old and younger at Bethlehem and its surroundings be killed. He thought that the divine Infant, Whom he considered a rival, would be among the dead children. murdered infants thus became the first martyrs for Christ. The rage of Herod fell also on Simeon the God-Receiver (February 3), who declared before everyone in the Temple that the Messiah had been born. When the holy Elder died, Herod would not give permission for him to be properly buried. On the orders of King Herod, the holy prophet and priest Zachariah was also killed. He was murdered in Jerusalem between the Temple and the altar (Mt. 23:35) because he would not tell the whereabouts of his son John, the future Baptist of the Lord Jesus Christ. wrath of God soon fell upon Herod himself: a horrid condition struck him down and he died, eaten by worms while still alive. Before his death, the impious king murdered the chief priests and scribes of the Jews, and also his brother, and his sister and her husband, and also his own wife Mariam, and three of his sons, and seventy men of wisdom who were members of the Sanhedrin. He initiated this bloodbath so that the day of his death would not be one of rejoicing, but one of mourning. Christian Church very rightly proclaimed these murdered children as Saints, because they died at an innocent age, and were, in some way, the first martyrs of Christianity. They may not have been baptized in water, but they were baptized in the blessed blood of their martyrdom. but not least, the relics (or perhaps some) of the Holy Infants are found in Constantinople, in the Church of Saint James the Brother of the Lord, which was built by Emperor Justin. Most of their Holy Relics are at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Portions of their Holy Relics are also to be found in the Pantokrator Monastery on Mount Athos. THE HOLY INNOCENTS, (28 DEC NT) ; read in Matthew 2 that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod, fearing for his throne, ordered that all the male infants of Bethlehem be killed. These children are regarded as martyrs for the Gospel -- "martyrs in fact though not in will." Augustine called them "buds, killed by the frost of persecution the moment they showed themselves." a discussion of the historical background of the episode, consult the Web page (NOTE: Ignore what the file says about the Assumption of Moses.) by James Kiefer Slaughter of the Innocents, by Fra Angelico

Rome, 10-66, Evodius, Syrian Saint, Bishop, writer, mary birth at 15, died under Nero in 66
Syrian Saint, 10-66, Evodius; Evodius or Euodias (died circa 69) was an Early Christian bishop of Antioch, succeeding Saint Peter. He is regarded as one of the first identifiable Christians, and venerated as a saint. is known of the life of Evodius. the time, Antioch was an opulent and cosmopolitan city where both Hellenized Jews and pagans were influenced by monotheism. According to the Book of Acts, one of the first evangelised communities were these Jews and pagans of Antioch. It was there that the term "Christian" was coined for these Gentiles, mainly Syrian and Greek converts.[citation needed] Peter became the bishop of Antioch and led the church there. Evodius is said to have been one of the pagans converted to Christianity due to the apostolic work of Saint Peter.[citation needed] eventually succeeded Peter as bishop of Antioch when Peter left for Rome.[1] Evodius was bishop of Antioch until 66 AD, and was succeeded by Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Catholic tradition says it is likely that Saint Evodius died of natural causes, however, the Eastern Orthodox tradition holds that he was martyred under Emperor Nero in 66 AD.[2] As one of the first pagans to come to the new church, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church as well as in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Oriental Orthodoxy including the Assyrian Church of the East. His feast day is 6 May in the Catholic Church and 7 September in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21; Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Holy Apostle Evodius of the Seventy was, after the holy Apostle Peter, the first bishop in Syrian Antioch. His successor, the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer (December 20), disciple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian, mentions him in his Letter to the Antiochians: “Remember your blessed father Evodus, who was made your first pastor by the Apostles.” Evodius served as bishop for 27 years and died as a martyr under the emperor Nero (54-68). Saint Evodus wrote several compositions. In one of them he writes that the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world at the age of fifteen. writings of the saint have not survived. A book entitled THE STAR is mentioned by the fourteenth century church historian Nikēphóros Callistus. Saint Evodus received the crown of martyrdom in the year 66. Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4;

Rome, 14-37, Emperor, Tiberius, red egg of resurrection from M Magdelen
Roman Emperor, 14-37, Tiberius; Luke 3:1-14, The Proclamation of John the Baptist; Hieromartyr Pancratius the Bishop of Taormina in Sicily, Commemorated on July 9 ; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene, Commemorated on July 22; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; 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 Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; Martyr Longinus the Centurion, who stood at the Cross of the Lord, Commemorated on October 16; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; JAMES OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP AND MARTYR (23 OCT NT); Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Rodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated on November 16; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; Apostle Archippus the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22 ; Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; ANDREW THE APOSTLE, (30 NOV NT) ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; THOMAS THE APOSTLE, (21 DEC NT) ; Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks, and went to see the Lord, Commemorated on December 25; Icon of the Mother of God of œVilna, Commemorated on December 26; STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (26 DEC NT); Joseph of Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, along with David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on December 27; Icon of the Mother of God œthe Merciful, Commemorated on December 27; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, Commemorated on December 27; James of Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, along with David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on December 27; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 28; THE HOLY INNOCENTS, (28 DEC NT) ; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 30 ; The Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on January 1; THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS, OR, THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST, (1 JAN); Apostle and Evangelist Luke of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Euodius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle James, of the Seventy, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Cleophas of the Seventy, the Brother of Joseph the Betrothed, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philip the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Prochorus the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Archippus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epenetus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Agabus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Rufus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Asyncritus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Phlegon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Jason of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Olympas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Carpus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, called John, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Zenas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Fortunatus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on January 6; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January) ; Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated on January 7; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; Venerable Conan, Abbot of the Pethukla Monastery, Commemorated on February 19; MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE, (24 FEB NT); JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF OUR LORD (19 MAR NT); Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons, Commemorated on March 20; The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on March 25; THE ANNUNCIATION, OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (25 MAR NT); Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; Hieromartyr Antipas the Bishop of Pergamum and Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 11; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25 ; MARK THE EVANGELIST, (25 APR NT) ; Apostle James the Brother of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 30; James of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT) ; Philip of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT); Apostle Simon Zealotes, Commemorated on May 10; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Righteous Martha the sister of Lazarus, Commemorated on June 4; Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, Commemorated on June 24 ; THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, (24 JUNE NT); PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES AND MARTYRS (29 JUN 64); The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Paul, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ;

Rome, 20-100, JOHN, t theologian, Jesus' nephew, son of Jesus's step sister, Jesus' friend, MOG care 34yrs, much more
Galilee, 20-100, JOHN, the theologian, Jesus' nephew, son of Jesus's step sister, virgin, friend of Christ, Jairus' daughter restored to life, Transfiguration, last supper, Gethsemane, Court, Golgotha, behold thy son, took care of MOG 34 yrs, then Ephesus w Prochorus, shopwreck and 14 days in sea, conversions in E, to Rome Nero trial, sentenced to death, preserved by poison drink, caldron of boiling oil, sent back to Patmos near E, many years, Revelation; Galilee, 20-100, JOHN, the theologian, Jesus' nephew, son of Jesus's step sister, virgin, friend of Christ, Jairus' daughter restored to life, Transfiguration, last supper, Gethsemane, Court, Golgotha, behold thy son, took care of MOG 34 yrs, then Ephesus w Prochorus, shopwreck and 14 days in sea, conversions in E, to Rome Nero trial, sentenced to death, preserved by poison drink, caldron of boiling oil, sent back to Patmos near E, many years, Revelation; the Evangelist is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, or John the Presbyter,[2] although this has been disputed by most modern scholars.[3] Mount Tabor; Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, Commemorated on September 26; Holy, Glorious All-laudable Apostle and Evangelist, Virgin, and Beloved Friend of Christ, John the Theologian was the son of Zebedee and Salome, a daughter of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. was called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be one of His Apostles at the same time as his elder brother James. This took place at Lake Gennesareth (i.e. the Sea of Galilee). Leaving behind their father, both brothers followed the Lord. Apostle John was especially loved by the Savior for his sacrificial love and his virginal purity. After his calling, the Apostle John did not part from the Lord, and he was one of the three apostles who were particularly close to Him. Saint John the Theologian was present when the Lord restored the daughter of Jairus to life, and he was a witness to the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. the Last Supper, he reclined next to the Lord, and laid his head upon His breast. He also asked the name of the Savior’s betrayer. The Apostle John followed after the Lord when they led Him bound from the Garden of Gethsemane to the court of the iniquitous High Priests Annas and Caiphas. He was there in the courtyard of the High Priest during the interrogations of his Teacher and he resolutely followed after him on the way to Golgotha, grieving with all his heart. the foot of the Cross he stood with the Mother of God and heard the words of the Crucified Lord addressed to Her from the Cross: “Woman, behold Thy son.” Then the Lord said to him, “Behold thy Mother” (John 19:26-27). From that moment the Apostle John, like a loving son, concerned himself over the Most Holy Virgin Mary, and he served Her until Her Dormition. the Dormition of the Mother of God the Apostle John went to Ephesus and other cities of Asia Minor to preach the Gospel, taking with him his own disciple Prochorus. boarded a ship, which floundered during a terrible tempest. All the travellers were cast up upon dry ground, and only the Apostle John remained in the depths of the sea. Prochorus wept bitterly, bereft of his spiritual father and guide, and he went on towards Ephesus alone. the fourteenth day of his journey he stood at the shore of the sea and saw that the waves had cast a man ashore. Going up to him, he recognized the Apostle John, whom the Lord had preserved alive for fourteen days in the sea. and disciple went to Ephesus, where the Apostle John preached incessantly to the pagans about Christ. His preaching was accompanied by such numerous and great miracles, that the number of believers increased with each day. this time there had begun a persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero (56-68). They took the Apostle John for trial at Rome. Saint John was sentenced to death for his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the Lord preserved His chosen one. The apostle drank a cup of deadly poison, but he remained alive. Later, he emerged unharmed from a cauldron of boiling oil into which he had been thrown on orders from the torturer. this, they sent the Apostle John off to imprisonment to the island of Patmos, where he spent many years. Proceeding along on his way to the place of exile, Saint John worked many miracles. On the island of Patmos, his preaching and miracles attracted to him all the inhabitants of the island, and he enlightened them with the light of the Gospel. He cast out many devils from the pagan temples, and he healed a great multitude of the sick. with demonic powers showed great hostility to the preaching of the holy apostle. He especially frightened the chief sorcerer of them all, named Kinops, who boasted that they would destroy the apostle. But the great John, by the grace of God acting through him, destroyed all the demonic artifices to which Kinops resorted, and the haughty sorcerer perished in the depths of the sea. Apostle John withdrew with his disciple Prochorus to a desolate height, where he imposed upon himself a three-day fast. As Saint John prayed the earth quaked and thunder rumbled. Prochorus fell to the ground in fright. The Apostle John lifted him up and told him to write down what he was about to say. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8), proclaimed the Spirit of God through the Apostle John. Thus in about the year 67 the Book of Revelation was written, known also as the “Apocalypse,” of the holy Apostle John the Theologian. In this Book were predictions of the tribulations of the Church and of the end of the world. his prolonged exile, the Apostle John received his freedom and returned to Ephesus, where he continued with his activity, instructing Christians to guard against false teachers and their erroneous teachings. In the year 95, the Apostle John wrote his Gospel at Ephesus. He called for all Christians to love the Lord and one another, and by this to fulfill the commands of Christ. The Church calls Saint John the “Apostle of Love”, since he constantly taught that without love man cannot come near to God. his three Epistles, Saint John speaks of the significance of love for God and for neighbor. Already in his old age, he learned of a youth who had strayed from the true path to follow the leader of a band of robbers, so Saint John went out into the wilderness to seek him. Seeing the holy Elder, the guilty one tried to hide himself, but the Apostle John ran after him and besought him to stop. He promised to take the sins of the youth upon himself, if only he would repent and not bring ruin upon his soul. Shaken by the intense love of the holy Elder, the youth actually did repent and turn his life around. John reposed when he was more than a hundred years old. He far outlived the other eyewitnesses of the Lord, and for a long time he remained the only remaining eyewitness of the earthly life of the Savior. it was time for the departure of the Apostle John, he went out beyond the city limits of Ephesus with the families of his disciples. He bade them prepare for him a cross-shaped grave, in which he lay, telling his disciples that they should cover him over with the soil. The disciples tearfully kissed their beloved teacher, but not wanting to be disobedient, they fulfilled his bidding. They covered the face of the saint with a cloth and filled in the grave. Learning of this, other disciples of Saint John came to the place of his burial. When they opened the grave, they found it empty. year from the grave of the holy Apostle John on May 8 came forth a fine dust, which believers gathered up and were healed of sicknesses by it. Therefore, the Church also celebrates the memory of the holy Apostle John the Theologian on May 8. Lord bestowed on His beloved disciple John and John’s brother James the name “Sons of Thunder” an awesome messenger accompanied by the cleansing power of heavenly fire. And precisely by this the Savior pointed out the flaming, fiery, sacrificial character of Christian love, the preacher of which was the Apostle John the Theologian. The eagle, symbol of the lofty heights of his theological thought, is the iconographic symbol of the Evangelist John the Theologian. The appellation “Theologian” is bestown by Holy Church only to Saint John among the immediate disciples and Apostles of Christ, as being the seer of the mysterious Judgments of God. JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT) ;

Rome, 30-, Apostles Folder

Rome, 30, Theophany, Baptismal Site Bethany (Beyond the Jordan)
Baptismal Site Bethany (Beyond the Jordan); (Arabic: meaning "baptism" or "immersion") is the traditional site of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and venerated as such since at least the Byzantine period.[1] place has also been referred to as Bethany (Beyond the Jordan) and Bethabara. The name is currently used primarily for the eastern side of the site, officially known as Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan", an archaeological World Heritage site in Jordan, on the east bank of the Jordan River. western side of the ancient site is currently known as Qasr el-Yahud. This article deals primarily with the eastern section, located in Jordan. includes two principal archaeological areas: the remnants of a monastery on a mound known as Jabal Mar-Elias (Elijah's Hill) and an area close to the river with remains of churches, baptism ponds and pilgrim and hermit dwellings.[3] The two areas are connected by a stream called Wadi Kharrar.[4][5] strategic location between Jerusalem and the King's Highway is already evident from the Book of Joshua report about the Israelites crossing the Jordan there. Mar-Elias is traditionally identified as the site of the ascension of the prophet Elijah to heaven.[6] complete area was abandoned after the 1967 Six-Day War, when both banks of the Jordan became part of the frontline. The area was heavily mined then.[7] the signing of the Israel–Jordan peace treaty in 1994, de-mining of area soon took place after an initiative of Jordanian royalty, namely Prince Ghazi.[8] site has then seen several archaeological digs, four papal visits and state visits, and attracts tourists and pilgrimage activity.[9] In 2015, the site was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, excluding the western side of the river. Approximately 81,000 people visited the site in 2016, mostly European, American, and Arab tourists.[10] Thousands flock to the site on January 6 to mark Epiphany.[9] Forefeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated January 3 ; first day of the Forefeast of Theophany falls on January 2. Like the hymns for the Nativity, many of the Church’s hymns of this period are slightly modified versions of the hymns of Holy Week. One of the hymns at Matins today says that the coming Feast of Theophany will be “even more radiant” than the Feast of the Nativity. Forefeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Troparion — Tone 4 Prepare, O Zebulon, / and adorn yourself, O Naphtali; / river Jordan, cease flowing / and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized. / Adam, rejoice with our First Mother / and do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise; / for having seen you naked, / He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment. / Christ has appeared to renew all creation. Kontakion — Tone 4 Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to John: / “Do not be afraid to baptize me. / For I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man.” Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on January 6 ; is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by Saint John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. ancient times this Feast was called the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, since God is Light and has appeared to illumine “those who sat in darkness,” and “in the region of the shadow of death” (Mt.4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace. the ancient Church it was the custom to baptize catechumens at the Vespers of Theophany, so that Baptism also is revealed as the spiritual illumination of mankind. origin of the Feast of Theophany goes back to Apostolic times, and it is mentioned in The Apostolic Constitutions (Book V:13). From the second century we have the testimony of Saint Clement of Alexandria concerning the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, and the night vigil before this Feast. is a third century dialogue about the services for Theophany between the holy martyr Hippolytus and Saint Gregory the Wonderworker. In the following centuries, from the fourth to ninth century, all the great Fathers of the Church: Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Ambrose of Milan, John of Damascus, commented on the Feast of Theophany. monks Joseph the Studite, Theophanes and Byzantios composed much liturgical music for this Feast, which is sung at Orthodox services even today. Saint John of Damascus said that the Lord was baptized, not because He Himself had need for cleansing, but “to bury human sin by water,” to fulfill the Law, to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and finally, to sanctify “the nature of water” and to offer us the form and example of Baptism. the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, the Holy Church proclaims our faith in the most sublime mystery, incomprehensible to human intellect, of one God in three Persons. It teaches us to confess and glorify the Holy Trinity, one in Essence and Undivided. It exposes and overthrows the errors of ancient teachings which attempted to explain the Creator of the world by reason, and in human terms. Church shows the necessity of Baptism for believers in Christ, and it inspires us with a sense of deep gratitude for the illumination and purification of our sinful nature. The Church teaches that our salvation and cleansing from sin is possible only by the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit, therefore it is necessary to preserve worthily these gifts of the grace of holy Baptism, keeping clean this priceless garb, for “As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). the day of Theophany, all foods are permitted, even if the Feast falls on a Wednesday or Friday. Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated January 7 ; the Orthodox Church it is customary, on the day following the Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior. John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. Saint John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior’s Baptism. holy Prophet John, the son of the Priest Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth, was related to the Lord on His mother’s side. The holy Forerunner, John, was born six months before Christ. The Archangel Gabriel announced his birth in the Temple at Jerusalem, revealing to Zachariah that a son was to be born to him. the prayers offered beforehand, the child was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saint John prepared himself in the wilds of the desert for his great service by a strict life, by fasting, prayer and sympathy for the fate of God’s people. the age of thirty, he came forth preaching repentance. He appeared on the banks of the Jordan, to prepare the people by his preaching to accept the Savior of the world. In church hymnology, Saint John is called a “bright morning star,” whose gleaming outshone the brilliance of all the other stars, announcing the coming dawn of the day of grace, illumined with the light of the spiritual Sun, our Lord Jesus Christ. baptized the sinless Lamb of God, Saint John soon died a martyr’s death, beheaded by the sword on orders of King Herod at the request of his daughter Salome. (On Saint John the Baptist, see Mt.3:1-16, 11:1-19, 14:1-12; Mark 1:2-8, 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-25, 39-80, 3:1-20, 7:18-35, 9:7-9; John 1:19-34, 3:22-26). Transfer of the Right Hand of the holy Forerunner from Antioch to Constantinople (956) and the Miracle of Saint John the Forerunner against the Hagarenes (Moslems) at Chios: body of Saint John the Baptist was buried in the Samaritan city of Sebaste. The holy Evangelist Luke, who went preaching Christ in various cities and towns, came to Sebaste, where they gave him the right hand of the holy Prophet John, the very hand with which he had baptized the Savior. The Evangelist Luke took it with him to his native city of Antioch. the Moslems seized Antioch centuries later, a deacon named Job brought the holy hand of the Forerunner from Antioch to Chalcedon. From there, on the eve of the Theophany of the Lord, it was transferred to Constantinople (956) and kept thereafter. the year 1200, the Russian pilgrim Dobrynya, who later became Saint Anthony, Archbishop of Novgorod (February 10), saw the right hand of the Forerunner in the imperial palace. From the Lives of the Saints we learn that in the year 1263, during the capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders, the emperor Baldwin gave one bone from the wrist of Saint John the Baptist to Ottonus de Cichon, who then gave it to a Cistercian abbey in France. right hand continued to be kept in Constantinople. And at the end of the fourteenth to the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, the holy relic was seen at Constantinople in the Peribleptos monastery by the Russian pilgrims Stephen of Novgorod, the deacon Ignatius, the cantor Alexander and the deacon Zosimus. When Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, sacred objects were gathered up at the the conqueror’s orders and kept under lock in the imperial treasury. the Lives of the Saints is clear testimony that in the year 1484 the right hand of the holy Forerunner was given away by the son of the Moslem sultan Bayazet to the knights of Rhodes to gain their good will, since a dangerous rival for Bayazet, his own brother, had allied himself with them. A contemporary participant, the vice-chancellor of Rhodes, Wilhelm Gaorsan Gallo, also speaks of this event. The knights of Rhodes, having established their base on the island of Malta (in the Mediterranean Sea), then transferred the sacred relic they had received to Malta. the Russian Tsar Paul I (1796-1801) became Grand Master of the Maltese Order in honor of the holy Prophet John, the right hand of the Baptist, part of the Life-Creating Cross and the Philermos Icon (October 12) of the Mother of God (from Mt Philermos on the island of Rhodes) were transferred in 1799 from the island of Malta to Russia [because of the Napoleonic threat], to the chapel at Gatchina (October 12). In the same year these sacred items were transferred into the church dedicated to the Icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands at the Winter Palace. A special service was composed for this Feast. the Synaxis of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates his memory on the following days: September 23, his Conception; June 24, his Nativity; August 29, his Beheading; February 24, the First and Second Finding of his Head; May 25, the Third Finding of his Head; October 12, the Transfer of his Right Hand from Malta to Gatchina (1799). Afterfeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated January 10 ; sixth day of the Afterfeast of Theophany falls on January 12. Divine grace shines forth so that we might be freed from the power of the devil, and cleansed of our sins in Baptism. “He who once assumed the appearance of a malignant serpent and implanted death in the creation, is now cast into darkness by Christ’s coming in the flesh....” (Ode 3, second Canon at Matins). “Through the Spirit and by the grace that comes through water, He grants a new birth to all who acknowledge His divinity, delivering them from their faults” (Ode 6, first Canon at Matins). Afterfeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on January 13 ;

Rome, 30-34, STEVEN, people chose 7 spirit filled deacons incl S, Sanhedrin speach, stoned, forgive them
Jerusalem, 30-34, STEVEN, apostles can't both preach and administer, people chose 7 deacons incl S, spirit filled, sound judgement, hands laid, S eloquent fiery speaker, against temple service or defeated Jewish teachers of the Law in debate, fiery speach before Sanhedrin , stoned to d, forgive them, Paul there; Jerusalem; STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (26 DEC NT) ; that we know about Stephen the Protomartyr (that is, the first martyr of the Christian Church) is found in chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Acts. early Christian congregations, like the Jewish synagogues, had a program of assistance for needy widows, and some of the Greek-speaking Jews in the Jerusalem congregation complained that their widows were being neglected. apostles replied: "We cannot both preach and administer financial matters. Choose seven men from among yourselves, respected, Spirit-filled, and of sound judgement, and let them be in charge of the accounts, and we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." The people accordingly chose seven men, including Stephen, and the apostles laid their hands on them. are traditionally considered to be the first deacons, although the Scriptures do not use the word to describe them. Scriptures do refer to officials called deacons in the local congregations, without being very specific about their duties; and a century or more later, we find the organized charities of each local congregation in the hands of its deacons.) was an eloquent and fiery speaker, and a provocative one. readers have speculated that some of his fellow Christians wanted to put him in charge of alms in the hope that he would administer more and talk less.) blunt declarations that the Temple service was no longer the means by which penitent sinners should seek reconciliation with God enraged the Temple leaders, who caused him to be stoned to death. he died, he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." One of those who saw the stoning and approved of it was Saul (or Paul) of Tarsus, who took an active part in the general persecution of Christians that followed the death of Stephen, but who was later led to become a Christian himself. remember Stephen on December 26, the day after Christmas. Hence the song Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen, an action of the king on the day after Christmas Day. The tune used with this song is older than the words and was previously used with a hymn often sung on the feasts of Stephen and other martyrs. It begins: Christian friends, your voices raise. Wake the day with gladness. God himself to joy and praise turns our human sadness: Joy that martyrs won their crown, opened heaven's bright portal, when they laid the mortal down for the life immortal. by James Kiefer Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, Commemorated on December 27; Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons, appointed by the Apostles themselves, and therefore he is called “archdeacon.” was the first Christian martyr, and he suffered for Christ when he was about thirty. In the words of Asterias, he was “the starting point of the martyrs, the instructor of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel.” with the Holy Spirit, Saint Stephen preached Christianity and defeated Jewish teachers of the Law in debate. The Jews maligned Saint Stephen, saying that he had uttered blasphemy against God and against Moses. Saint Stephen came before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest to answer these charges. He gave a fiery speech, in which he recounted the history of the Jewish nation, and denounced the Jews for persecuting the prophets, and also for executing the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ (Acts ch. 7). his speech, Saint Stephen suddenly saw the heavens opened and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. The Jews shouted and covered their ears, and rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, but the holy martyr prayed for his murderers. Far off on the heights stood the Mother of God with the holy Apostle John the Theologian, and She prayed fervently for the martyr. Before his death Saint Stephen said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Then he joyfully gave up his pure soul to Christ. body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, left to be eaten by beasts, was secretly taken up by the Jewish teacher Gamaliel and his son Habib, who buried Stephen on his estate. They both believed in Christ, and later received holy Baptism. Saint Stephen is also commemorated on August 2 (Translation of his relics) and on September 15 (Uncovering of his relics in the year 415).

Rome, 30-34, Nicanor, people chose 7 spirit filled deacons incl N, who died by stoning with Stephen
Jerusalem, 30-34, Nicanor, people chose 7 spirit filled deacons incl N, who died by stoning with Stephen; Jerusalem; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 28; Nicanor, Apostle of the Seventy was among the first deacons in the Church of Christ. the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6: 1-6) it is said that the twelve Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and established them to serve as deacons. Holy Church celebrates their memory together on July 28, although they died at various times and in various places. Nicanor suffered on that day when the holy Protomartyr Stephen and many other Christians were killed by stoning.

Rome, 30-44, Apostle Thaddeus of 70 from Edessa, Armenia, converted Armenian King Agbar in Edessa, estab churches E&Beirut
Armenia, 30-44, Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy from Edessa, Armenia (abundant water), baptized by John, sent out by Jesus, home to convert Agbar, estab churches in E and Beirut; Edessa in Syria which is also called upper Messopotamia. County of Edessa; 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. 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. 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. came preaching the Gospel to Edessa and he converted King Abgar, the people and the pagan priests to Christ. 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. 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. 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).

Rome, 30-60, Apostle Andrew and Saint Inna, first called, Peter's b, Scythia, Black Sea and Kiev
Rome, 30-60, 1st Century, Apostle Andrew and Saint Inna; Mongol, Scythia, 1st Century, Apostle Andrew and Saint Inna; Martyr Inna the Disciple of Apostle Andrew in Scythia, Commemorated on June 20;

Rome, 30-60, 1st Century, Apostle Andrew and Saints Inna, Pinna and Rimma
Martyrs Inna, Pinna, and Rimma, disciples of the Apostle Andrew, in Scythia, Commemorated on January 20; Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma were Slavs from northern Scythia (modern Bulgaria), and they were disciples of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. They preached the Gospel of Christ and they baptized many barbarians who converted to the true Faith. They were seized by the local chieftain, but they would not deny Christ, nor would they offer sacrifice to idols. was wintertime, and the rivers were so frozen that not only people, but also horses with carts could travel on the ice. The chieftain had the saints tied to logs on the ice, and gradually lowered them into the freezing water. When the ice reached their necks, they surrendered their blessed souls to the Lord. Martyr Inna the Disciple of Apostle Andrew in Scythia, Commemorated on June 20; transfer of the relics of Saints Inna, Pinna, and Rimma to Alushta took place during the first-second centuries. These holy martyrs are also commemorated on January 20.

Rome, 30-60 approx., Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, bishop of Lystra, Lykaonia, died in peace
Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Lykaonia, 50-60 approx., Apostle Paul; Iconium; THECLA, 1ST CENTURY, Commemorated September 24; Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla, Commemorated on September 24 ;

Rome, 30-62, Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus, crucified in Egypt, with Andrew in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, and Eleutheroolis
Egypt, 30-62, Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus, crucified at Ostrachina, Northeast Goshen, Egypt, with Andrew in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, and Eleutheroolis, proclaiming Gospel, healing, converting; Ostrachina, Northeast Goshen, Egypt; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle James the son of Alphaeus one of the Twelve Apostles, the brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. heard the Lord’s words and witnessed His miracles. the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Apostle James Alphaeus and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (November 30), missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, 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.

Rome, 30-63, Apostle James, Lord's brother, Nazarene, f bishop, Council p, conversions, off roof, stoning, litergy, book
Jerusalem, 30-63, Apostle James, brother of the Lord ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). his thirty years as bishop, Saint James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. They led the saint up on the pinnacle of the Jerusalem Temple and asked what he thought of Jesus. The holy Apostle began to bear witness that Christ is the Messiah, which was not the response the Pharisees were expecting. Greatly angered, the Jewish teachers threw him off the roof. saint did not die immediately, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies while they were stoning him. Saint James’ martyrdom occurred about 63 A.D. holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which formed the basis of the Liturgies of Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom. The Church has preserved an Epistle of Saint James, one of the books of the New Testament. 1853, Patriarch Hierotheus of Alexandria sent to Moscow a portion of the relics of Saint James. The Church distinguishes between the holy Apostle James the Brother of God, and Saint James the son of Zebedee (April 30) and Saint James the son of Alphaeus (October 9).

Rome, 30-63, Apostle James, Lord's step-brother, approx 25 yrs older than MOG, probably at Jesus' birth because Joseph was 80
Jerusalem, 30-63, Apostle James, brother of the Lord ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). his thirty years as bishop, Saint James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. They led the saint up on the pinnacle of the Jerusalem Temple and asked what he thought of Jesus. The holy Apostle began to bear witness that Christ is the Messiah, which was not the response the Pharisees were expecting. Greatly angered, the Jewish teachers threw him off the roof. saint did not die immediately, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies while they were stoning him. Saint James’ martyrdom occurred about 63 A.D. holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which formed the basis of the Liturgies of Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom. The Church has preserved an Epistle of Saint James, one of the books of the New Testament. 1853, Patriarch Hierotheus of Alexandria sent to Moscow a portion of the relics of Saint James. The Church distinguishes between the holy Apostle James the Brother of God, and Saint James the son of Zebedee (April 30) and Saint James the son of Alphaeus (October 9).

Rome, 30-62, Apostle Barnabus, first to preach in Rome
Rome, 30-62, Apostle Barnabus, first to preach in Rome; born Joseph, was according to tradition an early Christian, one of the prominent Christian disciples in Jerusalem. According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew. Named an apostle in Acts 14:14, he and Paul the Apostle undertook missionary journeys together and defended Gentile converts against the Judaizers. They traveled together making more converts (c. 45-47), and participated in the Council of Jerusalem (c. 50). Barnabas and Paul successfully evangelized among the "God-fearing" Gentiles who attended synagogues in various Hellenized cities of Anatolia. story appears in the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul mentions him in some of his epistles. Tertullian named him as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, but this and other attributions are conjecture. Clement of Alexandria and some scholars have ascribed the Epistle of Barnabas to him, but his authorship is disputed. the date, place, and circumstances of his death are historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus. He is traditionally identified as the founder of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The feast day of Barnabas is celebrated on June 11. is usually identified as the cousin of Mark the Evangelist on the basis of the term "anepsios" used in Colossians 4, which carries the connotation of "cousin." Orthodox tradition holds that Aristobulus of Britannia, one of the Seventy Disciples, was the brother of Barnabas.[1] 11:24 describes Barnabas as "a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith". Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy was born on the island of Cyprus into the family of the tribe of Levi, and he was named Joseph. He received his education at Jerusalem, being raised with his friend and fellow student Saul (the future Apostle Paul) under the renowned teacher of the Law, Gamaliel. Joseph was pious, he frequented the Temple, he strictly observed the fasts and avoided youthful distractions. During this time period our Lord Jesus Christ began His public ministry. Seeing the Lord and hearing His Divine Words, Joseph believed in Him as the Messiah. Filled with ardent love for the Savior, he followed Him. The Lord chose him to be one of His Seventy Apostles. The other Apostles called him Barnabas, which means “son of consolation.â€ After the Ascension of the Lord to Heaven, Barnabas sold land belonging to him near Jerusalem and he brought the money to the feet of the Apostles, leaving nothing for himself (Acts 4:36-37). Saul arrived in Jerusalem after his conversion and sought to join the followers of Christ, everyone there was afraid of him since he had persecuted the Church only a short while before. Barnabas, however, came with him to the Apostles and reported how the Lord had appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:26-28). Barnabas went to Antioch to encourage the believers, “Having come and having seen the grace of God, he rejoiced and he urged all to cleave to the Lord with sincerity of heartâ€ (Acts 11:23). Then he went to Tarsus, and brought the Apostle Paul to Antioch, where for about a year they taught the people. It was here that the disciples first began to be called Christians (Acts 11:26). With the onset of famine, and taking along generous alms, Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem. When King Herod killed Saint James the son of Zebedee, and had the Apostle Peter put under guard in prison to please the Jews, Saints Barnabas and Paul and Peter were led out of the prison by an angel of the Lord. hid out at the house of Barnabas’ aunt Maria. Later, when the persecution had quieted down, they returned to Antioch, taking with them Maria’s son John, surnamed Mark. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the prophets and teachers there imposed hands upon Barnabas and Paul, and sent them off to do the work to which the Lord had called them (Acts 13:2-3). Arriving in Seleucia, they sailed off to Cyprus and in the city of Salamis they preached the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues. Paphos they came across a sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was close with the proconsul Sergius. Wishing to hear the Word of God, the proconsul invited the saints to come to him. The sorcerer attempted to sway the proconsul from the Faith, but the Apostle Paul denounced the sorcerer, who through his words suddenly fell blind. The proconsul believed in Christ (Acts 13:6-12). Paphos Barnabas and Paul set sail for Pergamum of Pamphylia, and then they preached to the Jews and the Gentiles at Pisidian Antioch and throughout all that region. The Jews rioted and expelled Paul and Barnabas. The saints arrived in Iconium, but learning that the Jews wanted to stone them, they withdrew to Lystra and Derben. There the Apostle Paul healed a man, crippled in the legs from birth. The people assumed them to be the gods Zeus and Hermes and wanted to offer them sacrifice. The saints just barely persuaded them not to do this (Acts 14:8-18). the question arose whether those converted from the Gentiles should accept circumcision, Barnabas and Paul went to Jerusalem. There they were warmly received by the Apostles and elders. The preachers related “what God had wrought with them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentilesâ€ (Acts 14:27). long deliberations the Apostles collectively resolved not to impose any sort of burden upon Gentile Christians except what was necessary: to refrain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood (Acts 15:19-20). Letters were sent with Barnabas and Paul, and they again preached at Antioch, and after a certain while they decided to visit the other cities where they had visited earlier. Saint Barnabas wanted to take Mark along with him, but Saint Paul did not want to, since earlier he had left them. A quarrel arose, and they separated. Paul took Silas with him and went to Syria and Cilicia, while Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41). multiplied the number of believers, Saint Barnabas traveled to Rome, where he was perhaps the first to preach Christ. Barnabas founded the episcopal see at Mediolanum (now Milan), and upon his return to Cyprus he continued to preach about Christ the Savior. Then the enraged Jews incited the pagans against Barnabas, and they led him out beyond the city and stoned him, and then built a fire to burn the body. Later on, having come upon this spot, Mark took up the unharmed body of Saint Barnabas and buried it in a cave, placing upon the saint’s bosom, in accord with his final wishes, the Gospel of Matthew which he had copied in his own hand. Barnabas died in about the year 62, at age seventy-six. In time, the burial spot was forgotten, but numerous signs took place at this spot. In the year 448, during the time of the emperor Zeno, Saint Barnabas appeared three times in a dream to Archbishop Anthimus of Cyprus and indicated the place where his relics were buried. Starting to dig at the indicated spot, Christians found the incorrupt body of the saint, and upon his chest was the Holy Gospel. was during this time that the Church of Cyprus began to be regarded as Apostolic in origin, and received the right of choosing its head. Thus Saint Barnabas defended Cyprus against the pretensions of the opponent of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, the heretic surnamed Knapheios, who had usurped the patriarchal throne at Antioch and tried to gain dominion over the Church of Cyprus. Rome, 30-67, Apostle Paul Rome, 30-68, Apostle Peter ;

Rome, 30-66, Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, 2nd bishop of Antioch, Syria, for 27 yrs, writer, wrote MOG birth at 15
Syria, 30-66, Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, 2nd bishop of Antioch, Syria (Orontes River 7), for 27 yrs, writer, wrote MOG birth at 15; Antioch (Orontes River 7); Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated September 7 ; Holy Apostle Evodius of the Seventy was, after the holy Apostle Peter, the first bishop in Syrian Antioch. successor, the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer (December 20), disciple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian, mentions him in his Letter to the Antiochians: “Remember your blessed father Evodus, who was made your first pastor by the Apostles.” Evodius served as bishop for 27 years and died as a martyr under the emperor Nero (54-68). Evodus wrote several compositions. In one of them he writes that the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world at the age of fifteen. writings of the saint have not survived. A book entitled THE STAR is mentioned by the fourteenth century church historian Nikēphóros Callistus. Saint Evodus received the crown of martyrdom in the year 66.

Rome, 30-67, Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Damascus bishop, h Paul's eyes& baptized h, healed m, prayed f stoners
Syria, 30-67, Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, bishop of Damascus, Syria (Barada River foothills, Kings Highway 17, Way of the Sea 17), restored Paul's eyes & baptized him, went to Eleutheropolis, healed many, tortured, stoned, prayed for stoners; Damascus (Barada River foothills); Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 1 ; Holy Apostle Ananias of the Seventy (October 1), the first Bishop of Damascus. Lord ordered him to restore the sight of Saul, the former persecutor of Christians, then baptize him (Acts 9:10-19, 22:12). became the great preacher and Apostle Paul. Ananias boldly and openly confessed Christianity before the Jews and the pagans, despite the danger. Damascus he went to preach at Eleutheropolis, he healed many of their infirmities. the prefect of the city, tried to persuade the holy one to offer sacrifice to idols. Because of Ananias’ staunch and solid confession of Christ, Lucian ordered that he be tortured. Harsh torments did not sway the witness of Truth. the torturers led him out beyond the city, where they stoned him. The saint prayed for those who put him to death. His relics were later transferred to Constantinople.

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Paul, formerly the enemy of the church, road to Damascus, Apostle leader, citizen, m Rome in 68
Rome, 30-68, Apostle Paul; hymns for their Feast speak of Saints Peter and Paul as the leaders (koryphaioi), and chiefs of the Apostles. They are, without a doubt, the foremost in the ranks of the Apostles. koryphaioi were leaders of the chorus in ancient Greek tragedy. They set the pattern for the singing, and also for the dance movements and gestures of the chorus. Before Sophocles, there were twelve members of the chorus, and Saints Peter and Paul were the leaders of the twelve Apostles. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and lived in Tarsus in Cilicia. He once described himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite of the seed of Abraham (2 Cor. 11:22). He was also a Pharisee and a tent-maker (Acts 18:3) who had studied the Law with Gamaliel at Jerusalem. first, he was called Saul, and had persecuted the Church. He was present at the stoning of Saint Stephen (Acts 7: 58). Then, on the road to Damascus, he was converted when Christ appeared to him. Blinded by the vision, he was healed when Ananias laid his hands on him. After his cure, he was baptized (Acts 9:18). Paul preached the Gospel in Greece, Asia Minor, and in Rome, and wrote fourteen Epistles. Tradition says that he was martyred in Rome about the year 68. The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ; the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul. Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” was deemed worthy by the Savior to hear in answer, “Blessed art thou, Simon ... I tell thee, that thou art Peter [Petrus], and on this stone [petra] I build My Church” (Mt.16:16-18). On “this stone” [petra], is on that which thou sayest: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” it is on this thy confession I build My Church. Wherefore the “thou art Peter”: it is from the “stone” [petra] that Peter [Petrus] is, and not from Peter [Petrus] that the “stone” [petra] is, just as the Christian is from Christ, and not Christ from the Christian. Do you want to know, from what sort of “rock” [petra] the Apostle Peter [Petrus] was named? Hear the Apostle Paul: “Brethren, I do not want ye to be ignorant,” says the Apostle of Christ, “how all our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor.10: 1-4).... Lord Jesus Christ, in the final days of His earthly life, in the days of His mission to the race of man, chose from among the disciples His twelve Apostles to preach the Word of God. Among them, the Apostle Peter for his fiery ardor was vouchsafed to occupy the first place (Mt.10:2) and to be as it were the representative person for all the Church. Therefore it is said to him, preferentially, after the confession: “I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt.16: 19). Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these “keys” and the right “to bind and loosen.” And that it was actually the Church that received this right, and not exclusively a single person, turn your attention to another place of the Scriptures, where the same Lord says to all His Apostles, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit” and further after this, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, are retained” (John 20: 22-23); or: “whatsoever ye bind upon the earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosened in heaven” (Mt.18:18). Thus, it is the Church that binds, the Church that loosens; the Church, built upon the foundational cornerstone, Jesus Christ Himself (Eph 2:20), doth bind and loosen. Let both the binding and the loosening be feared: the loosening, in order not to fall under this again; the binding, in order not to remain forever in this condition. Therefore “Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins,” says Wisdom (Prov 5:22); and except for Holy Church nowhere is it possible to receive the loosening. His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ addresses Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. “Simon of John” -- says the Lord to Peter -- “lovest thou Me?” -- and the Apostle answered: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee”; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” “And sayeth Jesus to him” all three times “Feed My sheep” (John 20:15-17). this, the triple appealing of the Savior to Peter and the triple confession of Peter before the Lord had a particular beneficial purpose for the Apostle. That one, to whom was given “the keys of the kingdom” and the right “to bind and to loose,” bound himself thrice by fear and cowardice (Mt.26:69-75), and the Lord thrice loosens him by His appeal and in turn by his confession of strong love. And to shepherd literally the flock of Christ was acquired by all the Apostles and their successors. “Take heed, therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,” the Apostle Paul urges church presbyters, “over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28); and the Apostle Peter to the elders: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when is appeared the Prince of pastors, ye will receive unfading crowns of glory” (1 Pet. 5:2-4). is remarkable that Christ, having said to Peter: “Feed My sheep,” did not say: “Feed thy sheep,” but rather to feed, good servant, the sheep of the Lord. “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor.1:13). “Feed My sheep”. Wherefore “wolfish robbers, wolfish oppressors, deceitful teachers and mercenaries, not being concerned about the flock” (Mt.7:15; Acts 20:29; 2 Pet 2:1; John 10:12), having plundered a strange flock and making of the spoils as though it be of their own particular gain, they think that they feed their flock. Such are not good pastors, as pastors of the Lord. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), entrusted to Him by the chief Shepherd Himself (1 Pet 5:4). And the Apostle Peter, true to his calling, gave his soul for the very flock of Christ, having sealed his apostleship by a martyr’s death, is now glorified throughout all the world. Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out “threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but “He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn” (Ps 2:4). When he, “having persecuted and vexed” in such manner “the Church of God” (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, “trembling and frightened”, cried out: “Who art Thou, Lord?” The Lord answered him, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.” Saul suddenly undergoes a change: “What wantest Thou me to do?” -- he cries out. And suddenly for him there is the Voice: “Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). Here the Lord sends Ananias: “Arise and go into the street” to a man, “by the name of Saul,” and baptize him, “for this one is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9: 11, 15, 18). This vessel must be filled with My Grace. “Ananias, however, answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Thy Name” (Acts 9:13-14). But the Lord urgently commands Ananias: “Search for and fetch him, for this vessel is chosen by Me: for I shall show him what great things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:11, 15-16). actually the Lord did show the Apostle Paul what things he had to suffer for His Name. He instructed him the deeds; He did not stop at the chains, the fetters, the prisons and shipwrecks; He Himself felt for him in his sufferings, He Himself guided him towards this day. On a single day the memory of the sufferings of both these Apostles is celebrated, though they suffered on separate days, but by the spirit and the closeness of their suffering they constitute one. Peter went first, and Paul followed soon after him. Formerly called Saul, and then Paul, having transformed his pride into humility. His very name (Paulus), meaning “small, little, less,” demonstrates this. What is the Apostle Paul after this? Ask him, and he himself gives answer to this: “I am,” says he, “the least of the Apostles... but I have labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me” (1 Cor.15:9-10). so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, “in which to be likened to them” (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it “the author and finisher of our faith,” our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15: 5). Rome, 30-68, Apostle Peter ; Roman Pope, 66-99, Clement I ; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25;

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Peter, Apostle leader, fiery ardor, fisherman, crucified in Rome under Nero
Rome, 30-68, Apostle Peter ; Peter[5] (died between AD 64 and 68[1]), also known as Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon (/ˈsaɪmən/ (About this soundlisten)), Cephas (/ˈsiːfəs/[6]), or Peter the Apostle, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and one of the first leaders of the early Church. to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero. He is traditionally counted as the first bishop of Rome‍—‌or pope‍—‌and also by Eastern Christian tradition as the first patriarch of Antioch. The ancient Christian churches all venerate Peter as a major saint and as the founder of the Church of Antioch and the Diocese of Rome,[1] but differ in their attitudes regarding the authority of his successors. According to Catholic teaching, Jesus promised Peter a special position in the Church.[7] the New Testament, Peter appears repeatedly and prominently in all four gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles. He is the brother of Saint Andrew, and both brothers were fishermen. The Gospel of Mark in particular was traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter's preaching and eyewitness memories. He is also mentioned, under either the name Peter or Cephas, in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians and the Epistle to the Galatians. The New Testament also includes two general epistles, First Peter and Second Peter, that are traditionally attributed to him, but modern scholarship generally rejects the Petrine authorship of both.[8] of the New Testament, several apocryphal books were later attributed to him, in particular the Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Apocalypse of Peter, and Judgment of Peter, although scholars believe these works to be pseudoepigrapha.[9][10][11] Roman Pope, 66-99, Clement I ; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ; the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul. Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” was deemed worthy by the Savior to hear in answer, “Blessed art thou, Simon ... I tell thee, that thou art Peter [Petrus], and on this stone [petra] I build My Church” (Mt.16:16-18). On “this stone” [petra], is on that which thou sayest: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” it is on this thy confession I build My Church. Wherefore the “thou art Peter”: it is from the “stone” [petra] that Peter [Petrus] is, and not from Peter [Petrus] that the “stone” [petra] is, just as the Christian is from Christ, and not Christ from the Christian. Do you want to know, from what sort of “rock” [petra] the Apostle Peter [Petrus] was named? Hear the Apostle Paul: “Brethren, I do not want ye to be ignorant,” says the Apostle of Christ, “how all our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor.10: 1-4).... Lord Jesus Christ, in the final days of His earthly life, in the days of His mission to the race of man, chose from among the disciples His twelve Apostles to preach the Word of God. Among them, the Apostle Peter for his fiery ardor was vouchsafed to occupy the first place (Mt.10:2) and to be as it were the representative person for all the Church. Therefore it is said to him, preferentially, after the confession: “I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt.16: 19). Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these “keys” and the right “to bind and loosen.” And that it was actually the Church that received this right, and not exclusively a single person, turn your attention to another place of the Scriptures, where the same Lord says to all His Apostles, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit” and further after this, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, are retained” (John 20: 22-23); or: “whatsoever ye bind upon the earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosened in heaven” (Mt.18:18). Thus, it is the Church that binds, the Church that loosens; the Church, built upon the foundational cornerstone, Jesus Christ Himself (Eph 2:20), doth bind and loosen. Let both the binding and the loosening be feared: the loosening, in order not to fall under this again; the binding, in order not to remain forever in this condition. Therefore “Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins,” says Wisdom (Prov 5:22); and except for Holy Church nowhere is it possible to receive the loosening. His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ addresses Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. “Simon of John” -- says the Lord to Peter -- “lovest thou Me?” -- and the Apostle answered: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee”; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” “And sayeth Jesus to him” all three times “Feed My sheep” (John 20:15-17). this, the triple appealing of the Savior to Peter and the triple confession of Peter before the Lord had a particular beneficial purpose for the Apostle. That one, to whom was given “the keys of the kingdom” and the right “to bind and to loose,” bound himself thrice by fear and cowardice (Mt.26:69-75), and the Lord thrice loosens him by His appeal and in turn by his confession of strong love. And to shepherd literally the flock of Christ was acquired by all the Apostles and their successors. “Take heed, therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,” the Apostle Paul urges church presbyters, “over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28); and the Apostle Peter to the elders: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when is appeared the Prince of pastors, ye will receive unfading crowns of glory” (1 Pet. 5:2-4). is remarkable that Christ, having said to Peter: “Feed My sheep,” did not say: “Feed thy sheep,” but rather to feed, good servant, the sheep of the Lord. “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor.1:13). “Feed My sheep”. Wherefore “wolfish robbers, wolfish oppressors, deceitful teachers and mercenaries, not being concerned about the flock” (Mt.7:15; Acts 20:29; 2 Pet 2:1; John 10:12), having plundered a strange flock and making of the spoils as though it be of their own particular gain, they think that they feed their flock. Such are not good pastors, as pastors of the Lord. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), entrusted to Him by the chief Shepherd Himself (1 Pet 5:4). And the Apostle Peter, true to his calling, gave his soul for the very flock of Christ, having sealed his apostleship by a martyr’s death, is now glorified throughout all the world. Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out “threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but “He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn” (Ps 2:4). When he, “having persecuted and vexed” in such manner “the Church of God” (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, “trembling and frightened”, cried out: “Who art Thou, Lord?” The Lord answered him, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.” Saul suddenly undergoes a change: “What wantest Thou me to do?” -- he cries out. And suddenly for him there is the Voice: “Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). Here the Lord sends Ananias: “Arise and go into the street” to a man, “by the name of Saul,” and baptize him, “for this one is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9: 11, 15, 18). This vessel must be filled with My Grace. “Ananias, however, answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Thy Name” (Acts 9:13-14). But the Lord urgently commands Ananias: “Search for and fetch him, for this vessel is chosen by Me: for I shall show him what great things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:11, 15-16). actually the Lord did show the Apostle Paul what things he had to suffer for His Name. He instructed him the deeds; He did not stop at the chains, the fetters, the prisons and shipwrecks; He Himself felt for him in his sufferings, He Himself guided him towards this day. On a single day the memory of the sufferings of both these Apostles is celebrated, though they suffered on separate days, but by the spirit and the closeness of their suffering they constitute one. Peter went first, and Paul followed soon after him. Formerly called Saul, and then Paul, having transformed his pride into humility. His very name (Paulus), meaning “small, little, less,” demonstrates this. What is the Apostle Paul after this? Ask him, and he himself gives answer to this: “I am,” says he, “the least of the Apostles... but I have labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me” (1 Cor.15:9-10). so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, “in which to be likened to them” (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it “the author and finisher of our faith,” our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15: 5).

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Philemon and wife Apphia, Colossae, Phyrgia, Church in their home, slave Onesimus, friend Archippus, stoned to death
Phyrgia, 30-68, Apostle Philemon and wife Apphia, Colossae, Phyrgia, Church in their home, slave Onesimus, friend Archippus, stoned to death; Colossae or Chonae means plunging. ; Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and Archippus, Martyr Apphia, wife of Philemon and Equal-to-the-Apostles, and Onesimus, disciple of Saint Paul Commemorated on November 22 Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossa in Phrygia. After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who believed in Christ gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast. Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. The holy Apostle Paul continued to be his guide, and addressed to him his Epistle filled with love, and in which he sends blessings “to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house” (Phil 1:1-3). Onesimus (February 15), also mentioned in the Epistle, was Saint Philemon’s former slave. Philemon and Apphia, and also Saint Archippus (who also lived at Colossa), all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. All fled in terror, and only Saints Philemon, Archippus and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed Saint Archippus with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Saints Philemon and Apphia were stoned to death by order of the prefect. memory of the holy Apostles Archippus, Philemon, and Apphia is celebrated also on February 19. Apostles of the Seventy Archippus and Philemon, and Martyr Apphia, Commemorated on February 19; Archippus, Philemon and Apphia, Apostles of the Seventy were students and companions of the holy Apostle Paul. In the Epistle to Philemon, the Apostle Paul names Saint Archippus as his companion, and mentions him again in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:17). Archippus was bishop of the city of Colossae in Phrygia. Saint Philemon was an eminent citizen of this city, and the Christians gathered in his home to celebrate church services. He was also made a bishop by Saint Paul and he went about the cities of Phrygia, preaching the Gospel. on, he became archpastor of the city of Gaza. Apphia, his wife, took the sick and vagrants into her home, zealously attending to them. She was her husband’s co-worker in proclaiming the Word of God. the persecution against Christians under the emperor Nero (54-68), the holy Apostles Archippus and Philemon and Apphia were brought to trial by the ruler Artocles for confessing faith in Christ. Archippus was brutally slashed with knives. torture, they buried Saints Philemon and Apphia up to the waist in the ground, and stoned them until they died. Archippus is also commemorated on November 22. -----------------------------------------------------

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Archippus, Colossae, Phyrgia, friends Philemon and wife Apphia and their slave Onesimus, tortured, slashed with knives
Phyrgia, 30-68, Apostle Archippus, Colossae, Phyrgia, friends Philemon and wife Apphia and their slave Onesimus, tortured, slashed with knives; Colossae or Chonae means plunging. ; Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and Archippus, Martyr Apphia, wife of Philemon and Equal-to-the-Apostles, and Onesimus, disciple of Saint Paul Commemorated on November 22 Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossa in Phrygia. After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who believed in Christ gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast. Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. The holy Apostle Paul continued to be his guide, and addressed to him his Epistle filled with love, and in which he sends blessings “to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house” (Phil 1:1-3). Onesimus (February 15), also mentioned in the Epistle, was Saint Philemon’s former slave. Philemon and Apphia, and also Saint Archippus (who also lived at Colossa), all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. All fled in terror, and only Saints Philemon, Archippus and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed Saint Archippus with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Saints Philemon and Apphia were stoned to death by order of the prefect. memory of the holy Apostles Archippus, Philemon, and Apphia is celebrated also on February 19. Apostles of the Seventy Archippus and Philemon, and Martyr Apphia, Commemorated on February 19; Archippus, Philemon and Apphia, Apostles of the Seventy were students and companions of the holy Apostle Paul. In the Epistle to Philemon, the Apostle Paul names Saint Archippus as his companion, and mentions him again in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:17). Archippus was bishop of the city of Colossae in Phrygia. Saint Philemon was an eminent citizen of this city, and the Christians gathered in his home to celebrate church services. He was also made a bishop by Saint Paul and he went about the cities of Phrygia, preaching the Gospel. on, he became archpastor of the city of Gaza. Apphia, his wife, took the sick and vagrants into her home, zealously attending to them. She was her husband’s co-worker in proclaiming the Word of God. the persecution against Christians under the emperor Nero (54-68), the holy Apostles Archippus and Philemon and Apphia were brought to trial by the ruler Artocles for confessing faith in Christ. Archippus was brutally slashed with knives. torture, they buried Saints Philemon and Apphia up to the waist in the ground, and stoned them until they died. Archippus is also commemorated on November 22. -----------------------------------------------------

Rome, 30-68, Philemon, Apphia and Archippus, Colossae, Phyrgia, P Bishop of P, Gaza Archpastor, Wife Apphia, Archippus C b
Phrygia, 30-68, Philemon, Apphia and Archippus of the Seventy, Colossae, Phyrgia (Chonae, plunging, Great Road, Lycus River 1), Prominent Phrygia citizen, church in his home, evangelist preacher, Bishop of P, Archpastor of Gaza, Wife Apphia coworker, Archippus bishop of Colossae, P; Colossae or Chonae means plunging. ; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated February 19; See below Apostle Philemon the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated February 19 ; Archippus, Philemon and Apphia, Apostles of the Seventy were students and companions of the holy Apostle Paul. In the Epistle to Philemon, the Apostle Paul names Saint Archippus as his companion, and mentions him again in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:17). Archippus was bishop of the city of Colossae in Phrygia. Saint Philemon was an eminent citizen of this city, and the Christians gathered in his home to celebrate church services. was also made a bishop by Saint Paul and he went about the cities of Phrygia, preaching the Gospel. Later on, he became archpastor of the city of Gaza. Saint Apphia, his wife, took the sick and vagrants into her home, zealously attending to them. She was her husband’s co-worker in proclaiming the Word of God. the persecution against Christians under the emperor Nero (54-68), the holy Apostles Archippus and Philemon and Apphia were brought to trial by the ruler Artocles for confessing faith in Christ. Saint Archippus was brutally slashed with knives. After torture, they buried Saints Philemon and Apphia up to the waist in the ground, and stoned them until they died. Archippus is also commemorated on November 22.

Rome, 30-68, Rodion or Herodion, Apostle of the Seventy, Bishop of Patra, K in Rome with Peter
Greece, 30-68, Rodion or Herodion, Apostle of the Seventy, Bishop of Patra, K in Rome with Peter of Patras (also Herodian or Rodion) was a relative of Saint Paul whom Paul greets in Romans 16:11. to tradition, he was numbered among the Seventy Disciples and became bishop of Patras, where he suffered greatly. beating, stoning, and stabbing him, they left him for dead, but St. Herodion arose and continued to serve the Apostles. was beheaded with Olympas in Rome while they were serving Saint Peter on the same day that St. Peter was crucified. His feast days are celebrated on January 4 among the Seventy, April 8, and November 10. Patras; Apostle Rodion of the Seventy, Commemorated November 10; Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified. The holy Apostles Erastus, Sosipater (April 28), Olympas (January 4), Rodion (April 8), Quartus and Tertius (October 30) were disciples of Saint Paul. They all lived during the first century. Apostle to the Gentiles speaks of them in the Epistle to the Romans, “And Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother” (Rom 16: 23). Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified. Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut. Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died.

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Apollonia, John Mark, the Evangelist, Barnabas' cousin
Albania, 30-68, Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Apollonia (Illyria) (Aous River) Ancient Macedonia; Mark is named in the Acts of the Apostles as an assistant accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys. Traditionally he is regarded as identical with Mark the Evangelist, the traditional writer of the Gospel of Mark. account 6th-century Syriac inscription at the Monastery of St. Mark on Zion, beginning, "This is the house of Mary, mother of John Mark." Lion of St Mark outside Bishop's Palace -- Galveston, Texas times the Acts of the Apostles mentions a certain "John, who was also called Mark" or simply "John": And when [Peter] had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.Acts 12:12 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.Acts 12:25 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John to their minister.[Acts 13:5] Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.[Acts 13:13] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whise surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabus took Mark, and sailed unto Cypress; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the Grace of God. [Acts 15:37–40] these passages it may be gathered that John's mother Mary had a large house in Jerusalem to which Peter fled after escaping prison; that John assisted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Cyprus and as far as Perga in Pamphylia, but then returned to Jerusalem; and that later controversy over receiving John Mark back led to Paul and Barnabas parting ways, with Barnabas taking Mark back to Cyprus and both thereafter disappearing from the narrative of Acts. The reasons for John Mark's departure to Jerusalem and the subsequent disagreement between Paul and Barnabas have been subject to much speculation. Matthew Henry, for example, suggested that John Mark had departed "without [Barnabas and Paul's] knowledge, or without their consent".[2] However, there is simply too little data to regard any explanation with confidence.[3] scholars have argued that John Mark's negative portrayal in Acts is a polemic against the presumptive author of the Gospel of Mark, Luke's primary source for his own Gospel. Adela Collins suggests, "Since the author of Acts also wrote the Gospel according to Luke, it could be that this critical portrait was intended to undercut the authority of the second Gospel."[4] Michael Kok notes that "Mark's Gospel was a bit of an embarrassment to the refined literary and theological tastes of an educated Christian like Luke."[5] was common for Jews of the period to bear both a Semitic name such as John (Hebrew: Yochanon) and a Greco-Roman name such as Mark.[6] But since John was one of the most common names among Palestinian Jews,[7] and Mark was the most common in the Roman world,[8] caution is warranted in identifying John Mark with any other John or Mark. sources in fact consistently distinguish John Mark from the other Marks of the New Testament and style him Bishop of Byblos.[1][9][10][11] Nor was John Mark identified in antiquity with any other John, apart from rare and explicit speculation.[10][12][13] sources, on the other hand, increasingly regarded all New Testament references to Mark as Mark the Evangelist, and many modern scholars have agreed in seeing a single Mark.[14] The very fact that various writings could refer simply to Mark without further qualification has been seen as pointing to a single Mark.[15] there is Mark the cousin of Barnabas, mentioned by Paul as a "fellow worker" in the closings of three Pauline epistles.[16] In antiquity he was regarded as a distinct Mark, Bishop of Apollonia.[11] If, on the other hand, these two Marks are to be identified, the fact that these epistles were written after the departure of John Mark with Barnabas in Acts must suppose some later reconciliation. But a majority of scholars, noting the close association of both Marks with Paul and Barnabas, indeed regard them as likely the same person. Biblical scholars Samuel Rolles Driver and Charles Augustus Briggs identified Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, with John Mark,[17] as do John R. Donahue and Daniel J. Harrington.[18] the Evangelist, however, is known only from the patristic tradition, which associates him only with Peter and makes no mention of Paul.[19] Jerome alone suggests that the Mark of whom Paul speaks may be the Evangelist.[20][21] But modern scholars have noted that as Peter fled to the house of John Mark's mother, the two men may have had a longstanding association.[22] minority of modern scholars have argued, on the other hand, for identifying John the Evangelist or John the Elder with John Mark.[23] sources Acts of Barnabas, apparently an apocryphal work of the 5th century,[24] purport to be written by John Mark and to detail the missionary journey and martyrdom of Barnabas in Cyprus, thus picking up where the account of Acts leaves off.[25] Encomium of the Apostle St. Barnabas, written by Alexander the Monk in the 6th century, also gives an extensive account of the activity of Barnabas and John Mark in Cyprus. After the death of Barnabas, John Mark leaves for Ephesus, and the account then continues by identifying him with Mark the Evangelist.[10] Apollonia (Illyria) (Aous River) Ancient Macedonia; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Mark, also called John, (Acts 12:12), was a nephew of Saint Barnabas, and was Bishop of Apollonia (Col. 4:10). It was in the house of his mother Maria that the persecuted disciples found shelter after the Ascension of the Lord. Mark the Evangelist; the Evangelist is the traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark. Mark is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important episcopal sees of early Christianity. His feast day is celebrated on April 25, and his symbol is the winged lion.[3] identity[edit] See also: Four Evangelists Mark the Evangelist's symbol is the winged lion, the Lion of Saint Mark. Inscription: PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEVS ("peace be upon you, Mark, my evangelist"). The same lion is also symbol of Venice (on illustration) to William Lane (1974), an "unbroken tradition" identifies Mark the Evangelist with John Mark,[4] and John Mark as the cousin of Barnabas.[5] Hippolytus of Rome in On the Seventy Apostles distinguishes Mark the Evangelist (2 Tim 4:11), John Mark (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37), and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10; Phlm 1:24).[6] to Hippolytus, they all belonged to the "Seventy Disciples" who were sent out by Jesus to disseminate the gospel (Luke 10:1ff.) in Judea. to Eusebius of Caesarea (Eccl. Hist. 2.9.1–4), Herod Agrippa I, in his first year of reign over the whole of Judea (AD 41), killed James, son of Zebedee and arrested Peter, planning to kill him after the Passover. Peter was saved miraculously by angels, and escaped out of the realm of Herod (Acts 12:1–19). went to Antioch, then through Asia Minor (visiting the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1), and arrived in Rome in the second year of Emperor Claudius (AD 42; Eusebius, Eccl, Hist. 2.14.6). on the way, Peter encountered Mark and took him as travel companion and interpreter. Mark the Evangelist wrote down the sermons of Peter, thus composing the Gospel according to Mark (Eccl. Hist. 15–16), before he left for Alexandria in the third year of Claudius (AD 43).[7] to the Acts 15:39, Mark went to Cyprus with Barnabas after the Council of Jerusalem. to tradition, in AD 49, about 19 years after the Ascension of Jesus, Mark travelled to Alexandria and founded the Church of Alexandria – today, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and the Coptic Catholic Church trace their origins to this original community.[8] Aspects of the Coptic liturgy can be traced back to Mark himself.[9] He became the first bishop of Alexandria and he is honored as the founder of Christianity in Africa.[10] to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist. 2.24.1), Mark was succeeded by Anianus as the bishop of Alexandria in the eighth year of Nero (62/63), probably, but not definitely, due to his coming death. Later Coptic tradition says that he was martyred in 68.[1][11][12][13][14] modern Bible scholars argue the Gospel of Mark was written by an anonymous author, rather than direct witnesses to the reported events.[15][16][17][18][19] Biblical and traditional information[edit] St Mark in the Nuremberg Chronicle for Mark the Evangelist's authorship of the Gospel that bears his name originates with Papias.[20][21] Scholars of the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School are "almost certain" that Papias is referencing John Mark.[22] Modern mainstream Bible scholars discard Papias's information as unreliable.[23] Eusebius had a "low esteem of Papias' intellect".[24] Mark the Evangelist with John Mark also led to identifying him as the man who carried water to the house where the Last Supper took place (Mark 14:13),[25] or as the young man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51–52).[26] Coptic Church accords with identifying Mark the Evangelist with John Mark, as well as that he was one of the Seventy Disciples sent out by Christ (Luke 10:1), as Hippolytus confirmed.[27] tradition also holds that Mark the Evangelist hosted the disciples in his house after Jesus's death, that the resurrected Jesus Christ came to Mark's house (John 20), and that the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at Pentecost in the same house.[27] Mark is also believed to have been among the servants at the Marriage at Cana who poured out the water that Jesus turned to wine (John 2:1–11).[27] to the Coptic tradition, Mark was born in Cyrene, a city in the Pentapolis of North Africa (now Libya). tradition adds that Mark returned to Pentapolis later in life, after being sent by Paul to Colossae (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24. however, think these actually refer to Mark the Cousin of Barnabas), and serving with him in Rome (2 Tim 4:11); from Pentapolis he made his way to Alexandria.[28][29] Mark returned to Alexandria, the pagans of the city resented his efforts to turn the Alexandrians away from the worship of their traditional gods.[citation needed] In AD 68, they placed a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he was dead.[30] Festa del bocoło (rosebud festival) in St Mark's Square, Venice (Italy) Feast of St Mark is observed on April 25 by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. For those Churches still using the Julian Calendar, April 25 according to it aligns with May 8 on the Gregorian Calendar until the year 2099. The Coptic Orthodox Church observes the Feast of St Mark on Parmouti 30 according to the Coptic Calendar which always aligns with April 25 on the Julian Calendar or May 8 on the Gregorian Calendar. John Mark is distinguished from Mark the Evangelist, John Mark is celebrated on September 27 (as in the Roman Martyrology) and Mark the Evangelist on April 25. is remembered in the Church of England and in much of the Anglican Communion, with a Festival on 25 April.[31] of Saint Mark[edit] mosaic of St Marks body welcomed into Venice, at St Mark's Basilica, Venice. Saint Mark, 1411–1413, by Donatello (Orsanmichele, Florence). 828, relics believed to be the body of Saint Mark were taken from Alexandria (at the time controlled by the Abbasid Caliphate) by two Venetian merchants with the help of two Greek monks and taken to Venice.[32] mosaic in St Mark's Basilica depicts sailors covering the relics with a layer of pork and cabbage leaves. Since Muslims are not permitted to eat pork, this was done to prevent the guards from inspecting the ship's cargo too closely.[33] Nicol explained this act as "motivated as much by politics as by piety", and "a calculated stab at the pretensions of the Patriarchate of Aquileia." Instead of being used to adorn the church of Grado, which claimed to possess the throne of Saint Mark, it was kept secretly by Doge Giustiniano Participazio in his modest palace. Possession of Saint Mark's remains was, in Nicol's words, "the symbol not of the Patriarchate of Grado, nor of the bishopric of Olivolo, but of the city of Venice." In his will, Doge Giustiniano asked his widow to build a basilica dedicated to Saint Mark, which was erected between the palace and the chapel of Saint Theodore Stratelates, who until then had been patron saint of Venice.[34] 1063, during the construction of St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Saint Mark's relics could not be found. However, according to tradition, in 1094, the saint himself revealed the location of his remains by extending an arm from a pillar.[35] The newfound remains were placed in a sarcophagus in the basilica.[36] believe that the head of Saint Mark remains in a church named after him in Alexandria, and parts of his relics are in Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Cairo. The rest of his relics are in Venice.[1] Every year, on the 30th day of the month of Paopi, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of the consecration of the church of Saint Mark, and the appearance of the head of the saint in the city of Alexandria. This takes place inside St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria.[37] June 1968, Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria sent an official delegation to Rome to receive a relic of Saint Mark from Pope Paul VI. The delegation consisted of ten metropolitans and bishops, seven of whom were Coptic and three Ethiopian, and three prominent Coptic lay leaders. relic was said to be a small piece of bone that had been given to the Roman pope by Giovanni Cardinal Urbani, Patriarch of Venice. Pope Paul, in an address to the delegation, said that the rest of the relics of the saint remained in Venice. delegation received the relic on June 22, 1968. The next day, the delegation celebrated a pontifical liturgy in the Church of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic in Rome. The metropolitans, bishops, and priests of the delegation all served in the liturgy. Members of the Roman papal delegation, Copts who lived in Rome, newspaper and news agency reporters, and many foreign dignitaries attended the liturgy.

Rome, 30-68, Onesiphorus of the Seventy, bishop of Colophon, Cilicia, and Corinth, with Paul in Rome, martyred at Parium
Cilicia, 30-68, Onesiphorus of the Seventy Apostles, bishop of Colophon, Cilicia (Ceyhan River Mouth), and later Corinth, Greece, with Paul in Rome, martyred at Parium on the Hellespont; Colophon, Cilicia ; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated September 7 ; Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), and later at Corinth. He died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont, where he had gone to proclaim Christ among the local pagans. Holy Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy Saint Paul writes of him: “God grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my bonds. When he was at Rome, he searched for me with great diligence, and found me. May the Lord grant him to find the mercy of the Lord on that day; and you know how much he served me at Ephesus.” (2 Tim 1:16-18). Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), later at Corinth. died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont, where he had gone to proclaim Christ among the local pagans.

Rome, 30-68, Onesiphorus of the Seventy, visited Paul in 68, died in 68 in Parium, Hellespont
Rome, 30-68, Onesiphorus of the Seventy; (meaning "bringing profit" or "useful") was a Christian referred to in the New Testament letter of Second Timothy (2 Tim 1:16–18 and 2 Tim 4:19). According to the letter sent by St. Paul, Onesiphorus sought out Paul who was imprisoned at the time in Rome. Apollos, Cephas, Tychicus, Epaphroditus, Cæsar, and Onesiphorus, from the Menologion of Basil II. to Orthodox tradition, Saint Onesiphorus was one of the seventy disciples chosen and sent by Jesus to preach. They were chosen some time after the selection of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 10:1-24).[1] St Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), and later at Corinth. Both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches hold that he died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont.[2] 2 Timothy persecution of Christians during Nero’s reign made Rome a dangerous city for Christians. Paul praises Onesiphorus for his hospitality, kindness, and courage.[3][4] Onesiphorus is contrasted with the other Christians in Asia who have deserted Paul at this time. 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Paul sends a greeting to the man’s household in Ephesus and refers to the help he showed Paul earlier in Ephesus. Timothy, who led the Ephesian church is familiar with these acts.[5] Paul's praise of Onesiphorus is significant because it was written shortly before Paul's death as a final encouragement to Timothy. now, at the time of correspondence, only "Luke alone is with (Paul)" (4:11). Because Paul speaks of Onesiphorus only in the past tense, wishes blessings upon his house (family), and mercy for him "in that day", some scholars believe that Onesiphorus had at this point died.[5] the end of the same letter, in 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul sends greetings to "Priscilla and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus", again apparently distinguishing the situation of Onesiphorus from that of the still-living Priscilla and Aquila. reference to Onesiphorus, along with 2 Maccabees 12:40–46, is cited by Catholics as one of the early examples of prayer for the dead,[6] while some Protestants opposing this practice reject such an interpretation.[7] is commemorated on September 6 in Roman Catholic Church,[8] and September 7 in Orthodox Church.[9] should not be confused with the Onesiphorus of Ephesus who was martyred with Porphyrius during the Diocletian persecution, and is commemorated on November 9. Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Holy Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy Saint Paul writes of him: “God grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my bonds. When he was at Rome, he searched for me with great diligence, and found me. May the Lord grant him to find the mercy of the Lord on that day; and you know how much he served me at Ephesus.” (2 Tim 1:16-18). Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), and later at Corinth. He died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont, where he had gone to proclaim Christ among the local pagans.

Rome, 30-68, Apostle Justus, replaced Judas, Jesus step b, Bishop & martyred at Eleutheropolis (a Judean crossroads)
Jerusalem, 30-68, Apostle Justus martyred at Eleutheropolis (a Judean crossroads); Eleutheropolis (a crossroads); Eleutheropolis (Greek, "City of the Free") was a Roman city in Israel, some 53 km southwest of Jerusalem. Its remains still straddle the ancient road to Gaza. Seven routes met at Eleutheropolis. Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30 ; Justus, called Barsaba, a son of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, was chosen with Matthias to replace Judas. He was a bishop and died a martyr’s death at Eleutheropolis. Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; info and now deleted

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Andronicus, bishop of Pannonia, relatives of Paul, and preached other lands
Serbia, Pannonia, 30-68, Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy and his fellow-laborer, Junia, bishop of Pannonia (parts of: Hungary, Austia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hezegovinia), relatives of Paul, and preached other lands; Pannonia (parts of: Hungary, Austia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hezegovinia) ; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy and his fellow-laborer, Junia, Commemorated on May 17; Andronicus Apostle of the Seventy and Saint Junia were relatives of the holy Apostle Paul. They labored much, preaching the Gospel to pagans. Saint Paul mentions them in his Epistle to the Romans: “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ, before me” (Romans 16:7). Andronicus was made Bishop of Pannonia, but his preaching also took him and Saint Junia to other lands, far from the boundaries of his diocese. the efforts of Saints Andronicus and Junia the Church of Christ was strengthened, pagans were converted to the knowledge of God, many pagan temples closed, and in their place Christian churches were built. The service in honor of these saints states that they suffered martyrdom for Christ. the fifth century, during the reign of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius, their holy relics were uncovered on the outskirts of Constantinople together with the relics of other martyrs at the gate of Eugenius (February 22). was revealed to the pious cleric Nicholas Kalligraphos that among the relics of these seventeen martyrs were the relics of the holy Apostle Andronicus. Afterwards, a magnificent church was built on this spot.

Armenia, 30-68, Apostle Aquila of the 70, from Pontus, Armenia, tentmaker w paul, taught Apollos baptisim of Spirit
Armenia, 30-68, Apostle Aquila of the 70, from City of Pontus, Armenia (Eupatoria, a crossroads, Isis River 3, Kelkit River 3), jews k out Rome, tentmaker w paul in Corinth, became zealous disciples, w Paul to Ephesus, there taught Apollos baptisim of Spirit, returned to Rome time of Claudius' death, bishop in Asia Achaia Heraklia, martyred; Eupatoria (Pontus); Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, Commemorated on July 14; Aquila, Apostle of the 70: is possible that he was a disciple of the Apostle Paul, a native of Pontus and a Jew, in the city of Rome with his wife Priscilla (they are commemorated on February 13 on the Greek Calendar) the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-54) all the Jews were banished from Rome, so Saint Aquilla and his wife were compelled to leave. settled in Corinth. short while later, the holy Apostle Paul arrived there from Athens preaching the Gospel. made the acquaintance of Aquila, he began to live at his house and labored together with him, making tents. received Baptism from the Apostle Paul, Aquila and Priscilla bacame his devoted and zealous disciples. accompanied the apostle to Ephesus. Apostle Paul instructed them to continue the preaching of the Gospel at Ephesus, and he himself went to Jerusalem, in order to be present for the feast of Pentecost. Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla heard the bold preaching of a newcomer from Alexandria, the Jew Apollos. He had been instructed in the fundamentals of the Faith, but knew only the baptism of John the Forerunner. They called him over and explained more precisely about the way of the Lord. the death of the emperor Claudius, Jews were permitted to return to Italy, and Aquila and Priscilla then returned to Rome. Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans recalls his faithful disciples, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who put forth their heads for my soul, whom I do not alone thank, but also all the Church of the Gentiles and the church of their household” (Rom. 16: 3-4). Aquila did not long dwell in Rome: the Apostle Paul made him a bishop in Asia. Saint Aquila zealously labored at preaching the Gospel in Asia, Achaia and Heraklia. converted pagans to Christ, he confirmed newly-converted Christians in the faith, he established presbyters and destroyed idols. Priscilla constantly assisted him in the apostolic work. Saint Aquila ended his life a martyr: pagans murdered him. According to the Tradition of the Church, Saint Priscilla was killed together with him.

Rome, 30-70, Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Bishop at Ephesus after Timothy
Ephesus, 30-70, Apostle Gaius of the Seventy; Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Saint Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Saint Hermes was bishop in the city of Philippoplis where he died a martyr. Saint Linus (2 Tim 4:21) was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome. Saint Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. The Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region). Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 10 ; Seventy Apostles; Apelles of Heraklion;

Rome, 30-70, Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Bishop of Philippopolis on the Roman Road Via Militarius
Bulgaria, 30-70, Apostle Hermes of the Seventy; Holy Apostle Hermas of the Seventy was bishop at Philippopolis, and died a martyr in the first century. In the Epistle to the Romans, the holy Apostle Paul commands the Romans to greet Hermas (Rom 16:14) (Rom 16:14). Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; Saints Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Saint Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Saint Hermes was bishop in the city of Philippoplis where he died a martyr. Saint Linus (2 Tim 4:21) was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome. Saint Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. The Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region). Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; no longer there at OCA Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; Hermes is mentioned by the Holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (16:14). According to Tradition, he was the Bishop of Dalmatia and reposed in peace. In the Synaxarion of Hippolyte Delehaye (1902) he is called Ermylos. In the Paris Codex 13 f. 296 he is listed on April 8 along with with Herodion, Asynkritos (Bishop of Hyrkania in Asia), Phlegon (Bishop of Marathon), Rufus and his mother (whom Saint Paul refers to as his mother, as well), Epaphras, and Agabos. Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Holy Apostle Hermas was a bishop in Philippopolis, Thrace. He was a Greek, but he spent some time in Rome. The holy Apostle Paul greets him in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:14). The Apostle Hermas endured much grief from the pagans for preaching the Gospel, but he died in peace. to Tradition, Saint Hermas is the author of The Shepherd, an instructive book based on revelations from angels.

Rome, 30-70, Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Puteoli and Naples Bishop
Naples, 30-70, Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy; Puteoli; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5 ; Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15;

Rome, 30-70, Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Sinope, Pathlegonia, Armenia
Philologus of Sinope; Armenia, 30-70, Apostle Philologus of the Seventy; Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region). 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;

Rome, 30-70, Apelles of the Seventy, Bishop, Heraclea, Trachis, Thessaly
Greece, 30-70, Apelles of the Seventy, Bishop, Heraclea, Trachis, Thessaly; Heraclea, Trachis; Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Commemorated on July 25 ; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 10 ; Apelles Apelles was an important figure in the early Church, who labored diligently to spread the message of the Gospel. His zeal led him to Rome, where he became a support for the faithful. He knew the Apostle Paul, who mentioned him in the Epistle to the Romans (16:10): "Greet Apelles, who is approved (or "has been tested") in Christ." Apelles is said to have died at Smyrna as a good soldier of Christ, laboring until his last breath to make firm the Gospel. Some say he was the Bishop of Heraklion in Trakhis. Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31 ; Apelles, one of the Seventy Apostles, was bishop at Heraclion in Trachis.

Rome, 30-70, Apelles of the Seventy, died at Smyrna as a good soldier of Christ
Greece, 30-70, Apelles of the Seventy, Bishop, Heraclea, Trachis, Thessaly; Heraclea, Trachis; Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Commemorated on July 25 ; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 10 ; Apelles Apelles was an important figure in the early Church, who labored diligently to spread the message of the Gospel. His zeal led him to Rome, where he became a support for the faithful. He knew the Apostle Paul, who mentioned him in the Epistle to the Romans (16:10): "Greet Apelles, who is approved (or "has been tested") in Christ." Apelles is said to have died at Smyrna as a good soldier of Christ, laboring until his last breath to make firm the Gospel. Some say he was the Bishop of Heraklion in Trakhis. Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31 ; Apelles, one of the Seventy Apostles, was bishop at Heraclion in Trachis.

Rome, 30-70, Apelles of Seventy, zeal led him to Rome, where he became a support for the faithful
Greece, 30-70, Apelles of the Seventy, Bishop, Heraclea, Trachis, Thessaly; Heraclea, Trachis; Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Commemorated on July 25 ; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 10 ; Apelles Apelles was an important figure in the early Church, who labored diligently to spread the message of the Gospel. His zeal led him to Rome, where he became a support for the faithful. He knew the Apostle Paul, who mentioned him in the Epistle to the Romans (16:10): "Greet Apelles, who is approved (or "has been tested") in Christ." Apelles is said to have died at Smyrna as a good soldier of Christ, laboring until his last breath to make firm the Gospel. Some say he was the Bishop of Heraklion in Trakhis. Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31 ; Apelles, one of the Seventy Apostles, was bishop at Heraclion in Trachis.

Rome, 30-70, Saint Mary Magdalene, first to proclaim resurrection, A daring woman, w r meomory, she preached in Rome
Galilee, 30-70, Saint Mary Magdalene, Magdala, Galilee (Magdalan or Magadan); Holy Myrrh-Bearer Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene. On the banks of Lake Genesareth (Galilee), between the cities of Capharnum and Tiberias, was the small city of Magdala, the remains of which have survived to our day. Now only the small village of Mejhdel stands on the site. woman whose name has entered forever into the Gospel account was born and grew up in Magdala. The Gospel tells us nothing of Mary’s younger years, but Tradition informs us that Mary of Magdala was young and pretty, and led a sinful life. It says in the Gospels that the Lord expelled seven devils from Mary (Luke. 8:2). From the moment of her healing Mary led a new life, and became a true disciple of the Savior. Gospel relates that Mary followed after the Lord, when He went with the Apostles through the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee preaching about the Kingdom of God. Together with the pious women Joanna, wife of Choza (steward of Herod), Susanna and others, she served Him from her own possessions (Luke 8:1-3) and undoubtedly shared with the Apostles the evangelic tasks in common with the other women. The Evangelist Luke, evidently, has her in view together with the other women, stating that at the moment of the Procession of Christ onto Golgotha, when after the Scourging He took on Himself the heavy Cross, collapsing under its weight, the women followed after Him weeping and wailing, but He consoled them. The Gospel relates that Mary Magdalene was present on Golgotha at the moment of the Lord’s Crucifixion. While all the disciples of the Savior ran away, she remained fearlessly at the Cross together with the Mother of God and the Apostle John. Evangelists also list among those standing at the Cross the mother of the Apostle James, and Salome, and other women followers of the Lord from Galilee, but all mention Mary Magdalene first. Saint John, in addition to the Mother of God, names only her and Mary Cleopas. This indicates how much she stood out from all the women who gathered around the Lord. was faithful to Him not only in the days of His Glory, but also at the moment of His extreme humiliation and insult. As the Evangelist Matthew relates, she was present at the Burial of the Lord. Before her eyes Joseph and Νikόdēmos went out to the tomb with His lifeless Body. She watched as they covered over the entrance to the cave with a large stone, entombing the Source of Life. to the Law in which she was raised, Mary together with the other women spent the following day at rest, because it was the great day of the Sabbath, coinciding with the Feast of Passover. But all the rest of the peaceful day the women gathered spices to go to the Grave of the Lord at dawn on Sunday and anoint His Body according to the custom of the Jews. is necessary to mention that, having agreed to go on the first day of the week to the Tomb early in the morning, the holy women had no possibility of meeting with one another on Saturday. They went separately on Friday evening to their own homes. They went out only at dawn the following day to go to the Sepulchre, not all together, but each from her own house. Evangelist Matthew writes that the women came to the grave at dawn, or as the Evangelist Mark expresses, extremely early before the rising of the sun. The Evangelist John, elaborating upon these, says that Mary came to the grave so early that it was still dark. Obviously, she waited impatiently for the end of night, but it was not yet daybreak. She ran to the place where the Lord’s Body lay. went to the tomb alone. Seeing the stone pushed away from the cave, she ran away in fear to tell the close Apostles of Christ, Peter and John. Hearing the strange message that the Lord was gone from the tomb, both Apostles ran to the tomb and, seeing the shroud and winding cloths, they were amazed. They went and said nothing to anyone, but Mary returned to the tomb and stood about the entrance to the tomb and wept. Here in this dark tomb so recently lay her lifeless Lord. proof that the tomb really was empty, she went down to it and saw a strange sight. She saw two angels in white garments, one sitting at the head, the other at the foot, where the Body of Jesus had been placed. They asked her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She answered them with the words which she had said to the Apostles, “They have taken my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” At that moment, she turned around and saw the Risen Jesus standing near the grave, but she did not recognize Him. asked Mary, “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom dost thou seek?” She answered thinking that she was seeing the gardener, “Sir, if thou hast taken him, tell where thou hast put Him, and I will take Him away.” she recognized the Lord’s voice. This was the voice she heard in those days and years, when she followed the Lord through all the cities and places where He preached. He spoke her name, and she gave a joyful shout, “Rabbi” (Teacher). and love, fondness and deep veneration, a feeling of thankfulness and recognition at His Splendor as great Teacher, all came together in this single outcry. She was able to say nothing more and she threw herself down at the feet of her Teacher to wash them with tears of joy. But the Lord said to her: “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and tell them: ‘I ascend to My Father, and your Father; to My God and to your God.’” came to herself and again ran to the Apostles, to do the will of Him sending her to preach. Again she ran into the house, where the Apostles still remained in dismay, and proclaimed to them the joyous message, “I have seen the Lord!” This was the first preaching in the world about the Resurrection. Apostles proclaimed the Glad Tidings to the world, but she proclaimed it to the Apostles themselves. Scripture does not tell us about the life of Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection of Christ, but it is impossible to doubt, that if in the terrifying minutes of Christ’s Crucifixion she was at the foot of His Cross with His All-Pure Mother and Saint John, she must have stayed with them during the happier time after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Thus in the Acts of the Apostles Saint Luke writes that all the Apostles with one mind stayed in prayer and supplication, with certain women and Mary the Mother of Jesus and His brethren. Tradition testifies that when the Apostles departed from Jerusalem to preach to all the ends of the earth, then Mary Magdalene also went with them. A daring woman, whose heart was full of reminiscence of the Resurrection, she went beyond her native borders and went to preach in pagan Rome. Everywhere she proclaimed to people about Christ and His teaching. When many did not believe that Christ is risen, she repeated to them what she had said to the Apostles on the radiant morning of the Resurrection: “I have seen the Lord!” With this message she went all over Italy. relates that in Italy Mary Magdalene visited Emperor Tiberias (14-37 A.D.) and proclaimed to him Christ’s Resurrection. According to Tradition, she brought him a red egg as a symbol of the Resurrection, a symbol of new life with the words: “Christ is Risen!” Then she told the emperor that in his Province of Judea the unjustly condemned Jesus the Galilean, a holy man, a miracleworker, powerful before God and all mankind, had been executed at the instigation of the Jewish High Priests, and the sentence confirmed by the procurator appointed by Tiberias, Pontius Pilate. repeated the words of the Apostles, that we are redeemed from the vanity of life not with perishable silver or gold, but rather by the precious Blood of Christ. to Mary Magdalene the custom to give each other paschal eggs on the day of the Radiant Resurrection of Christ spread among Christians over all the world. In one ancient Greek manuscript, written on parchment, kept in the monastery library of Saint Athanasius near Thessalonica, is a prayer read on the day of Holy Pascha for the blessing of eggs and cheese. In it is indicated that the igumen in passing out the blessed eggs says to the brethren: “Thus have we received from the holy Fathers, who preserved this custom from the very time of the holy Apostles, therefore the holy Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene first showed believers the example of this joyful offering.” Magdalene continued her preaching in Italy and in the city of Rome itself. Evidently, the Apostle Paul has her in mind in his Epistle to the Romans (16: 6), where together with other ascetics of evangelic preaching he mentions Mary (Mariam), who as he expresses “has bestowed much labor on us.” Evidently, she extensively served the Church in its means of subsistence and its difficulties, being exposed to dangers, and sharing with the Apostles the labors of preaching. to Church Tradition, she remained in Rome until the arrival of the Apostle Paul, and for two more years following his departure from Rome after the first court judgment upon him. From Rome, Saint Mary Magdalene, already bent with age, moved to Ephesus where the holy Apostle John unceasingly labored. There the saint finished her earthly life and was buried. holy relics were transferred in the ninth century to Constantinople, and placed in the monastery Church of Saint Lazarus. In the era of the Crusader campaigns they were transferred to Italy and placed at Rome under the altar of the Lateran Cathedral. Part of the relics of Mary Magdalene are said to be in Provage, France near Marseilles, where over them at the foot of a steep mountain a splendid church is built in her honor. Orthodox Church honors the holy memory of Saint Mary Magdalene, the woman called by the Lord Himself from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. immersed in sin and having received healing, she sincerely and irrevocably began a new life and never wavered from that path. Mary loved the Lord Who called her to a new life. She was faithful to Him not only when He was surrounded by enthusiastic crowds and winning recognition as a miracle-worker, but also when all the disciples deserted Him in fear and He, humiliated and crucified, hung in torment upon the Cross. This is why the Lord, knowing her faithfulness, appeared to her first, and esteemed her worthy to be first to proclaim His Resurrection. Magdala, Galilee (Magdalan or Magadan, between Capharnum and Tiberias); Matthew 15:29-39, Jesus Cures Many People, and Feeding the Four Thousand They returned to Magadan.; The Holy Myrrh-Bearer Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene. On the banks of Lake Genesareth (Galilee), between the cities of Capharnum and Tiberias, was the small city of Magdala, the remains of which have survived to our day. Now only the small village of Mejhdel stands on the site. Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene, Commemorated on July 22; MARY MAGDALENE, FIRST WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION (22 JULY NT);

Rome, 30-70, Apostle Zacchaeus, Jericho, Benjamin, rich tax collector, Short, climbed Sycamore tree to see Jesus
Jerusalem, 30-70, Apostle Zacchaeus, Jericho, Benjamin (near Jerusalem), rich tax collector, Short, climbed Sycamore tree to see Jesus, Accompanied Peter, Caesarea Palestine Bishop Jericho; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; holy Apostle Zacchaeus was a rich publican at Jericho. Since he was short of stature, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see the Savior passing by. After the Ascension of the Lord, Saint Zacchaeus accompanied Saint Peter on his travels. Tradition says he became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, where he died in peace. Gospel (Luke 19:1-10) describing Zacchaeus’ encounter with Christ is read on the Sunday before the Triodion begins.

Rome, 30-72, Apostle Thomas, all outside Roman Empire, Arabia, India, Ethiopia, not fearing
East Africa, 1st Century, Apostle Thomas; the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus' resurrection when first told of it (as related in the Gospel of John alone); later, he confessed his faith ("My Lord and my God") on seeing Jesus' crucifixion wounds. to traditional accounts of the Saint Thomas Christians of modern-day Kerala in India, Thomas is believed to have travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, travelling as far as the Tamilakam which is in South India.[1][5][6][7] According to their tradition, Thomas reached Muziris of Tamilakam (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala State, India) in AD 52.[8][9][1] In 1258, some of the relics were brought to Ortona, in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle.[10] He is often regarded as the patron saint of India among its Christian adherents,[11][12] and the Feast of Saint Thomas on July 3 is celebrated as Indian Christian Day by believers belonging to many Christian denominations.[13][14] The name Thomas remains quite popular among the Saint Thomas Christians of the Indian subcontinent. Arapet Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on September 6; Arapet, or “Arabian” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared while the holy Apostle Thomas (October 6) was evangelizing Ethiopia, Arabia, and India. of the usual three stars (signifying the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God), the outer garment of the Theotokos has three circles with the head of an angel inside each one. In this feature, it resembles the icons “In Giving Birth you Preserved your Virginity” (“A Virgin Before and After Giving Birth”) (October 17) and “O All-Hymned Mother” (October 6). Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6; Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.” icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

Rome, 30-73, Apostle Philip the Deacon and Evangelist, Bishop of Tralles til old age
Ephesus, 33-73, Apostle Philip the Deacon, Bishop of Tralles; Tralles (Meander River 5); Trallians (Illyrian Tribe); Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, one of the 7 Deacons is not to be confused with Saint Philip one of the Twelve Apostles (November 14). This Philip was born in Palestine, was married and had children. the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Twelve Apostles made Philip a deacon in the Church of Jerusalem. Along with the other six deacons, they appointed him to deal with the offerings of the faithful and attend to the concerns of the widowed, the orphaned and the needy. The eldest among the seven deacons was the holy Archdeacon Stephen. the persecution of Christians began, the Jews stoned the Protomartyr Stephen. Apostle Philip left Jerusalem and settled in Samaria. There he successfully preached Christianity. Among the disciple’s converts was the noted magician Simon, who “after being baptized, continued with Philip.” (Acts 8:9-13) the command of an angel of the Lord, Saint Philip set out upon the road connecting Jerusalem with Gaza. There he met an official of the empress of Ethiopia, whom also he converted to Christianity (Acts 8:26-39). holy disciple Philip tirelessly preached the Word of God in many of the lands of the Near East adjoining Palestine. Jerusalem the Apostles made him a bishop and sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where he also baptized many. Saint Philip died in old age. PHILIP, DEACON AND EVANGELIST (11 OCT NT), Commemorated October 11; the sixth chapter of Acts, we read that the Apostles commissioned seven men in the congregation at Jerusalem to supervise the church's ministry to the needs of its widows and other poor. is generally considered to be the beginning of the office of Deacon in the Church, although the Scriptures do not use this term in referring to the original seven men.) of these have gained lasting fame. One was Stephen, who became the Church's first martyr. The other was Philip, whose story we find in Acts 8:5-40; 21:8-9. the death of Stephen, there was a general persecution of the Church at Jerusalem, and many Christians fled to escape it. fled to Samaria, where he preached the Gospel to the Samaritans, a group who had split off from the Jewish people about six centuries earlier, had intermarried with other peoples, and were considered outsiders by most Jews. received the message with eagerness, and soon Peter and John came to Samaria to bless the new converts. this, Philip was sent by God to walk along the road from Jerusalem southwest to Gaza, he met a eunuch (a term meaning literally a castrated man, but also used to mean simply an official of a royal court) of the Queen of Ethiopia (probably meaning Nubia -- what we now call the Sudan), returning home after worshipping in Jerusalem. The man was reading from Isaiah 53 ("He was wounded for our transgressions"), and Philip told him about Jesus, and persuaded him that the words were a prophecy of the saving work of Jesus. man was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing, Philip went north to Caesarea, the major seaport of Israel, and its secular capital. Paul (accompanied by Luke) was going up to Jerusalem for the last time, he paused at Caesarea and spent several days with Philip. may be the source of some of the information Luke used in writing the early chapters of Acts.) are told that Philip had four daughters who prophesied. is relevant to discussions of the role of women in the Church.) Philip the Deacon the same person as Philip the Apostle (see 1 May)? they were different. There were Twelve Apostles, and they said, "Our work is to preach the Gospel, not to administer the budget. Choose seven men to administer the budget." Obviously they meant seven men other than themselves. Moreover, when Philip went to Samaria, and preached and made converts, he baptized them, but none of them received the Holy Spirit. It was not until Peter and John came from Jerusalem and laid hands on them that they received the Spirit. Surely this means that Philip was not an Apostle--not one of the Twelve. they were the same person. have ancient testimony identifying them. Papias of Hierapolis, a second-century writer who had spoken with some of the apostles, speaks of the Philip of Acts 21 as one of the Apostles. Polycrates, a second-century bishop of Ephesus, says that Philip, "one of the Twelve", was buried at Hierapolis along with two aged virgin daughters of his, and that a third daughter, a prophetess, was buried at Ephesus. It seems unlikely that two Philips would both have unmarried daughters of whom at least one was known as a prophetess. If eleven of the Twelve Apostles refused the work of administering the church's welfare program, but one, for special reasons, accepted it, it is not clear that Luke would have felt bound to point this out. The Jerusalem community may have thought it desirable to have one man serve both as one of the Twelve and one of the Seven, so as to provide a link, a liason, between the two groups. Philip, who specifically named in John's account of the feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:5), is likely to have had special abilities in organizing the feeding of the hungry, and related matters. Moreover, the Seven were originally appointed because the Greek-speaking Jews complained that their widows were being neglected. Philip had a Greek name ("lover of horses"), which at least suggests some kind of Hellenistic element in his background. Even more to the point, we note that earlier, when a group of Greek-speaking Jews wanted a chance to speak with Jesus, they went first to Philip (Jn 12:20f). Clearly Philip was a good choice for dealing with Hellenists. for the objection that Philip's Samaritan converts receive the laying on of hands, not from Philip, but from Peter and John, it must be noted that Peter and John were there specifically as representatives of the Apostles gathered at Jerusalem. It may very well be that Philip wanted to make sure that the receiving of a group of Samaritans into the Church, a gesture certain to stir up violent emotions in some Christians, had the official support of the College of Apostles. by James Kiefer

Rome, 30-73 or 107, Apostle Simon the Zealot, Cana, Galilee, the bridegroom, went many places from Britain to Black Sea
Galilee, 30-73, Cana, Galilee (Kishon River Drainage) the bridegroom at Jesus' first miracle, so became zealous for Christ, went many places from Britain to Black Sea, Crucified; Cana in Galilee; Apostle Simon Zealotes, Commemorated on May 10; Simon was from Cana in Galilee, and was known to the Lord and His Mother. says that he was the bridegroom at the wedding where the Savior performed His first miracle. witnessing the miracle of the water which had been turned into wine, he became a zealous follower of Christ. For this reason, he is known as Saint Simon the Zealot. Simon was one of the twelve Apostles, and received the Holy Spirit with the others on Pentecost. traveled to many places from Britain to the Black Sea, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. After winning many pagans to the Lord, Saint Simon suffered martyrdom by crucifixion. Demetrius of Rostov says that this Saint Simon is to be distinguished from the Apostle Simon Peter, and from the Lord’s relative Simon (Mt.13:55), who was the second Bishop of Jerusalem. Simon is also commemorated on June 30 with the other Apostles.

Rome, 30-76, Apostle Linus of the Seventy, successor to Apostle Peter at Rome
Rome, 30-76, Apostle Linus of the Seventy; Rome, 67-76, Roman Pope, Linus; Rome, 30-68, Apostle Peter ; Roman Pope, 66-99, Clement I ; Apostles Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Saint Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Saint Hermes was bishop in the city of Philippoplis where he died a martyr. Saint Linus (2 Tim 4:21) was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome. Saint Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. The Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region). CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Apostles Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5;

Rome, 30-80, Apostle Philip, all-praised, Bethsaida, Galilee, knew Scripture, awaited coming, Call, preaching, miracles
Galilee, 30-80, Apostle Philip, all-praised, Bethsaida, Galilee, knew Scripture, awaited coming, Call, preaching, miracles; the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Later Christian traditions describe Philip as the apostle who preached in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia. Galilee, 30-80, Apostle Philip, all-praised, Bethsaida, Galilee, knew Scripture, awaited coming, Call, preaching, miracles, greece, parthia, Azotus, Syrian Hieropolis, Lydia, Emessa, sister Mariamne, Bartholomew, Phrygian Hieropolis, k serpent, healed wife, arrested, o crucified, earthquake, prayed for those, they believed, he died on cross, M&B to Armenia, M to Lykaonia; Bethsaida; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Holy and All-praised Apostle Philip was a native of the city of Bethsaida in Galilee. had a profound depth of knowledge of the Holy Scripture, and rightly discerning the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies, he awaited the coming of the Messiah. the call of the Savior (John 1:43), Philip followed Him. Apostle Philip is spoken about several times in the Holy Gospel: he brought to Christ the Apostle Nathaniel (i.e. Bartholomew, April 22, June 30, and August 25. See John. 1:46). The Lord asks him where to buy bread for five thousand men (John. 6: 5-7). He brought certain of the Hellenized Jews wanting to see Jesus (John. 12:21-22); and finally, at the Last Supper he asked Christ to show them the Father (John. 14:8). the Ascension of the Lord, the Apostle Philip preached the Word of God in Galilee, accompanying his preaching with miracles. he restored to life a dead infant in the arms of its mother. Galilee he went to Greece, and preached among the Jews that had settled there. Some of them reported the preaching of the Apostle to Jerusalem. In response, some scribes arrived in Greece from Jerusalem, with one of the Jewish chief priests at their head, to interrogate the Apostle Philip. Apostle Philip exposed the lie of the chief priest, who said that the disciples of Christ had stolen away and hidden the body of Christ. told instead how the Pharisees had bribed the soldiers on watch, to deliberately spread this rumor. the Jewish chief priest and his companions began to insult the Lord and lunged at the Apostle Philip, they suddenly were struck blind. By his prayer the Apostle restored everyone’s sight. Seeing this miracle, many believed in Christ. Apostle Philip provided a bishop for them, by the name of Narcissus (one of the Seventy Apostles, January 4). Greece the Apostle Philip went to Parthia, and then to the city of Azotus, where he healed an eye affliction of the daughter of a local resident named Nikoklides, who had received him into his home, and then baptized his whole family. Azotus the Apostle Philip set out to Syrian Hieropolis (there were several cities of this name) where, stirred up by the Pharisees, the Jews burned the house of Heros, who had taken in the Apostle Philip, and they wanted to kill the apostle. The apostle performed several miracles: the healing of the hand of the city official Aristarchus, withered when he attempted to strike the apostle; and restoring a dead child to life. When they saw these marvels, they repented and many accepted holy Baptism. making Heros the bishop at Hieropolis, the Apostle Philip went on to Syria, Asia Minor, Lydia, Emessa, and everywhere preaching the Gospel and undergoing sufferings. he and his sister Mariamne (February 17) were pelted with stones, locked up in prison, and thrown out of villages. the Apostle Philip arrived in the city of Phrygian Hieropolis, where there were many pagan temples. There was also a pagan temple where people worshiped an enormous serpent as a god. The Apostle Philip by the power of prayer killed the serpent and healed many bitten by snakes. those healed was the wife of the city prefect, Amphipatos. Having learned that his wife had accepted Christianity, the prefect Amphipatos gave orders to arrest Saint Philip, his sister, and the Apostle Bartholomew traveling with them. At the urging of the pagan priests of the temple of the serpent, Amphipatos ordered the holy Apostles Philip and Bartholomew to be crucified. an earthquake struck, and it knocked down all those present at the place of judgment. upon the cross by the pagan temple of the serpent, the Apostle Philip prayed for those who had crucified him, asking God to save them from the ravages of the earthquake. this happen, the people believed in Christ and began to demand that the apostles be taken down from the crosses. Apostle Bartholomew was still alive when he was taken down, and he baptized all those believing and established a bishop for them. the Apostle Philip, through whose prayers everyone remained alive, except for Amphipatos and the pagan priests, died on the cross. his sister buried his body, and went with the Apostle Bartholomew to preach in Armenia, where the Apostle Bartholomew was crucified (June 11); herself then preached until her own death at Lykaonia. holy Apostle Philip is not to be confused with Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11), one of the Seventy. ANDREW THE APOSTLE, (30 NOV NT) ; Philip of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT); PHILIP ;

Rome, 30-80, Apostle Philip, Athens, from Galilee to Greece to preach to Jews, Jews struck blind
Greece, 1st Century, Apostle Philip; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Galilee he went to Greece, and preached among the Jews that had settled there. Some of them reported the preaching of the Apostle to Jerusalem. In response, some scribes arrived in Greece from Jerusalem, with one of the Jewish chief priests at their head, to interrogate the Apostle Philip. Apostle Philip exposed the lie of the chief priest, who said that the disciples of Christ had stolen away and hidden the body of Christ. Philip told instead how the Pharisees had bribed the soldiers on watch, to deliberately spread this rumor. When the Jewish chief priest and his companions began to insult the Lord and lunged at the Apostle Philip, they suddenly were struck blind. By his prayer the Apostle restored everyone’s sight. Seeing this miracle, many believed in Christ. The Apostle Philip provided a bishop for them, by the name of Narcissus (one of the Seventy Apostles, January 4). Holy and All-praised Apostle Philip was a native of the city of Bethsaida in Galilee. He had a profound depth of knowledge of the Holy Scripture, and rightly discerning the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies, he awaited the coming of the Messiah. Through the call of the Savior (John 1:43), Philip followed Him. The Apostle Philip is spoken about several times in the Holy Gospel: he brought to Christ the Apostle Nathaniel (i.e. Bartholomew, April 22, June 30, and August 25. See John. 1:46). The Lord asks him where to buy bread for five thousand men (John. 6: 5-7). He brought certain of the Hellenized Jews wanting to see Jesus (John. 12:21-22); and finally, at the Last Supper he asked Christ to show them the Father (John. 14:8). the Ascension of the Lord, the Apostle Philip preached the Word of God in Galilee, accompanying his preaching with miracles. Thus, he restored to life a dead infant in the arms of its mother. Galilee he went to Greece, and preached among the Jews that had settled there. Some of them reported the preaching of the Apostle to Jerusalem. In response, some scribes arrived in Greece from Jerusalem, with one of the Jewish chief priests at their head, to interrogate the Apostle Philip. Apostle Philip exposed the lie of the chief priest, who said that the disciples of Christ had stolen away and hidden the body of Christ. Philip told instead how the Pharisees had bribed the soldiers on watch, to deliberately spread this rumor. When the Jewish chief priest and his companions began to insult the Lord and lunged at the Apostle Philip, they suddenly were struck blind. By his prayer the Apostle restored everyone’s sight. Seeing this miracle, many believed in Christ. The Apostle Philip provided a bishop for them, by the name of Narcissus (one of the Seventy Apostles, January 4). Greece the Apostle Philip went to Parthia, and then to the city of Azotus, where he healed an eye affliction of the daughter of a local resident named Nikoklides, who had received him into his home, and then baptized his whole family. Azotus the Apostle Philip set out to Syrian Hieropolis (there were several cities of this name) where, stirred up by the Pharisees, the Jews burned the house of Heros, who had taken in the Apostle Philip, and they wanted to kill the apostle. The apostle performed several miracles: the healing of the hand of the city official Aristarchus, withered when he attempted to strike the apostle; and restoring a dead child to life. When they saw these marvels, they repented and many accepted holy Baptism. After making Heros the bishop at Hieropolis, the Apostle Philip went on to Syria, Asia Minor, Lydia, Emessa, and everywhere preaching the Gospel and undergoing sufferings. Both he and his sister Mariamne (February 17) were pelted with stones, locked up in prison, and thrown out of villages. the Apostle Philip arrived in the city of Phrygian Hieropolis, where there were many pagan temples. There was also a pagan temple where people worshiped an enormous serpent as a god. The Apostle Philip by the power of prayer killed the serpent and healed many bitten by snakes. those healed was the wife of the city prefect, Amphipatos. Having learned that his wife had accepted Christianity, the prefect Amphipatos gave orders to arrest Saint Philip, his sister, and the Apostle Bartholomew traveling with them. At the urging of the pagan priests of the temple of the serpent, Amphipatos ordered the holy Apostles Philip and Bartholomew to be crucified. an earthquake struck, and it knocked down all those present at the place of judgment. Hanging upon the cross by the pagan temple of the serpent, the Apostle Philip prayed for those who had crucified him, asking God to save them from the ravages of the earthquake. Seeing this happen, the people believed in Christ and began to demand that the apostles be taken down from the crosses. The Apostle Bartholomew was still alive when he was taken down, and he baptized all those believing and established a bishop for them. the Apostle Philip, through whose prayers everyone remained alive, except for Amphipatos and the pagan priests, died on the cross. his sister buried his body, and went with the Apostle Bartholomew to preach in Armenia, where the Apostle Bartholomew was crucified (June 11); Mariamne herself then preached until her own death at Lykaonia. holy Apostle Philip is not to be confused with Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11), one of the Seventy.

Rome, 30-80, Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, went m places, c on Mt Ararat, Armenia, Epistle of J, truth in a few words
Armenia, 30-80, Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, crucified on Mount Ararat, Armenia (south of Aras River 7), Joseph's first wife's son, did not believe until Jesus' ministry, other names, went to Judea, Galilee, Samaria, Idumaia, Arabia, Syria, Messopotamia, Edessa, Persia, Epistle of J, truth in a few words ; Mount Ararat; 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.

Rome, 30-84 , Apostle Luke, f Antioch S Dr, Emmaus, w Paul, Achaia, Libya, Egypt, Thebaid, Icons, Gospel & Acts, 80+ icons
Syria, 30-84 , Apostle Luke of the Seventy; Antioch (Orontes River 7); Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18 ; Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, was a native of Syrian Antioch, a companion of the holy Apostle Paul (Phil.1:24, 2 Tim. 4:10-11), and a physician enlightened in the Greek medical arts. about Christ, Luke arrived in Palestine and fervently accepted the preaching of salvation from the Lord Himself. one of the Seventy Apostles, Saint Luke was sent by the Lord with the others to preach the Kingdom of Heaven during the Savior’s earthly life (Luke 10:1-3). the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saints Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. accompanied Saint Paul on his second missionary journey, and from that time they were inseparable. When Paul’s coworkers had forsaken him, only Luke remained to assist him in his ministry (2 Tim. 4:10-11). the martyric death of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul, Saint Luke left Rome to preach in Achaia, Libya, Egypt and the Thebaid. He ended his life by suffering martyrdom in the city of Thebes. credits Saint Luke with painting the first icons of the Mother of God. “Let the grace of Him Who was born of Me and My mercy be with these Icons,” said the All-Pure Virgin after seeing the icons. Luke also painted icons of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul. Luke’s Gospel was written in the years 62-63 at Rome, under the guidance of the Apostle Paul. In the preliminary verses (1:1-3), Saint Luke precisely sets forth the purpose of his work. He proposes to record, in chronological order, everything known by Christians about Jesus Christ and His teachings. By doing this, he provided a firmer historical basis for Christian teaching (1:4). He carefully investigated the facts, and made generous use of the oral tradition of the Church and of what the All-Pure Virgin Mary Herself had told him (2:19, 51). Saint Luke’s Gospel, the message of the salvation made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the preaching of the Gospel, are of primary importance. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Holy Apostles at Rome around 62-63 A.D. The Book of Acts, which is a continuation of the four Gospels, speaks about the works and the fruits of the holy Apostles after the Ascension of the Savior. the center of the narrative is the Council of the holy Apostles at Jerusalem in the year 51, a Church event of great significance, which resulted in the separation of Christianity from Judaism and its independent dissemination into the world (Acts 15:6-29). The theological focus of the Book of Acts is the coming of the Holy Spirit, Who will guide the Church “into all truth” (John 16:13) until the Second Coming of Christ. holy relics of Saint Luke were taken from Constantinople and brought to Padua, Italy at some point in history. Perhaps this was during the infamous Crusade of 1204. 1992, Metropolitan Hieronymus (Jerome) of Thebes requested the Roman Catholic bishop in Thebes to obtain a portion of Saint Luke’s relics for the saint’s empty sepulchre in the Orthodox cathedral in Thebes. Roman Catholic bishop Antonio Mattiazzo of Padua, noting that Orthodox pilgrims came to Padua to venerate the relics while many Catholics did not even know that the relics were there, appointed a committee to investigate the relics in Padua, and the skull of Saint Luke in the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Vico in Prague. skeleton was determined to be that of an elderly man of strong build. In 2001, a tooth found in the coffin was judged to be consistent with the DNA of Syrians living near the area of Antioch dating from 72-416 A.D. The skull in Prague perfectly fit the neck bone of the skelton. The tooth found in the coffin in Padua was also found to fit the jawbone of the skull. Mattiazzo sent a rib from the relics to Metropolitan Hieronymus to be venerated in Saint Luke’s original tomb in the Orthodox cathedral at Thebes. Saint Luke is also commemorated on April 22. LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; all that we know about Luke comes from the New Testament. He was a physician (Col 4:14), a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10ff; 20:5ff; 27-28). found in his Gospel and not elsewhere includes much of the account of Our Lord's birth and infancy and boyhood, some of the most moving parables, such as that of the Good Samaritan and that of the Prodigal Son, and three of the sayings of Christ on the Cross: "Father, forgive them," "Thou shalt be with me in Paradise," and "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Luke's account of the Gospel, we find an emphasis on the human love of Christ, on His compassion for sinners and for suffering and unhappy persons, for outcasts such as the Samaritans, tax collectors, lepers, shepherds (not a respected profession), and for the poor. The role of women in Christ's ministry is more emphasized in Luke than in the other Gospel writings. the book of Acts, we find the early Christian community poised from the start to carry out its commission, confident and aware of Divine guidance. We see how the early Christians at first preached only to Jews, then to Samaritans (a borderline case), then to outright Gentiles like Cornelius, and finally explicitly recognized that Gentiles and Jews are called on equal terms to the service and fellowship of Christ. Luke, from an old Book of Common PrayerLuke makes many casual references throughout his writings (especially in Acts) to local customs and practices, often with demonstrable and noteworthy precision. To mention just one example, he refers to two centurions by name, Cornelius in Acts 10 and Julius in Acts 27, and he calls them both by nomen only, rather than by nomen and cognomen (Sergius Paulus in Acts 13;7) or cognomen only (Gallio in Acts 18:12), as he does when speaking of civilian officials. It is a distinction that would have been routine at the time that Luke is writing about, but one that had largely died out by, say, 70 AD. His preserving it shows either that (1) he wrote fairly close to the events he described, or (2) he was describing persons and events on which he had good information, or (3) he was an expert historical novelist, with an ear for the authentic-sounding detail. is commonly thought to be the only non-Jewish New Testament writer. His writings place the life of Christ and the development of the early Church in the larger context of the Roman Empire and society. On the other hand, his writings are focused on Jerusalem and on the Temple. His Gospel begins and ends in the Temple, and chapters nine through nineteen portray Jesus as journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem. Similarly, the Book of Acts describes the Church in Jerusalem (and worshipping in the Temple) and then describes the missionary journeys of Paul as excursions from and returns to Jerusalem. writer wrote more pages of the New Testament than anyone else? If you say Paul, try again. In my pocket Bible, Acts and the Gospel of Luke occupy a total of sixty pages, while all the letters traditionally attributed to Paul (not counting Hebrews) total fifty-six. writer of the Third Gospel and the Book of Acts does not give his name in his writings. (Except for Nehemiah, no Biblical writer of a narrative book does.) He does claim to be a traveling companion of Paul, and his interests and vocabulary suggest that he is a physician. Since Paul tells us that he had a companion named Luke who was a physician, the conclusion that Luke is the writer we are looking for is reasonable. the two-volume work Luke-Acts in fact written by a companion of Paul? Scholars are not agreed on the answer. By and large, most German writers favor a negative answer. Their reasons are that (1) the chronology of Paul's life found in the Book of Acts presents certain apparent conflicts with that found in Paul's letter to the Galatians, and that (2) the writer seems unfamiliar with the geography of Israel. On the other hand, most English scholars favor an affirmative answer. Their reasons are that the "We" sections in Acts (the sections in which the author explicitly claims to have been present at the events he describes) contain a wealth of circumstantial detail that make invention extremely unlikely. (Thus, for example, Mr. James Smith of Jordan Hill, FRS, having sailed a vessel over the same route described in Acts 27-28, argues in his book, The Voyage and Shipwreck of Saint Paul, that the account must have been written by someone who had sailed that route. It used to be a popular theory that the writer had somehow gotten his hands on a travel diary of the real "Luke" and incorporated it into his work. However, a detailed analysis of the writing style of various sections of the work shows none of the differences that would be expected on this theory. Scholars on the affirmative side generally answer the negative objections mentioned above by supposing that (1) the conferences mentioned in Acts 15 and Galatians 2 are not the same conference, and that (2) Luke uses the word "Judea" sometimes to mean the southern portion of the land of Israel, and sometimes to mean the whole land. For some comments on the historical reliability of the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke, go to the following URLs: by James Kiefer

Rome, 30-84, Luke t Evangelist&Apostle, f Antioch, a salvation preaching f Christ, Luke&Acts, icons h Jesus' Grace& MOG mercy
Syria, 30-84, Luke the Evangelist and Apostle, Antioch, Syria (Orontes River 7), hearing about Christ accepted salvation preaching from Christ, Luke and Acts, Paul's companion, physician, iconographer, MOG said his icons have Jesus' grace and MOG mercy, chronologica order L and A, council of Jerusalem in 51, Acts focus on Holy Spirit ; Antioch (Orontes River 7); Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, was a native of Syrian Antioch, companion of the holy Apostle Paul (Phil.1:24, 2 Tim. 4:10-11), a physician enlightened in the Greek medical arts. about Christ, Luke arrived in Palestine and fervently accepted the preaching of salvation from the Lord Himself. one of the Seventy Apostles, Saint Luke was sent by the Lord with the others to preach the Kingdom of Heaven during the Savior’s earthly life (Luke 10:1-3). the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saints Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. accompanied Saint Paul on his second missionary journey, and from that time they were inseparable. Paul’s coworkers had forsaken him, only Luke remained to assist him in his ministry (2 Tim. 4:10-11). the martyric death of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul, Saint Luke left Rome to preach in Achaia, Libya, Egypt and the Thebaid. ended his life by suffering martyrdom in the city of Thebes. credits Saint Luke with painting the first icons of the Mother of God. “Let the grace of Him Who was born of Me and My mercy be with these Icons,” said the All-Pure Virgin after seeing the icons. Luke also painted icons of the First-Ranked Apostles Peter and Paul. Luke’s Gospel was written in the years 62-63 at Rome, under the guidance of the Apostle Paul. the preliminary verses (1:1-3), Saint Luke precisely sets forth the purpose of his work. proposes to record, in chronological order, everything known by Christians about Jesus Christ and His teachings. doing this, he provided a firmer historical basis for Christian teaching (1:4). carefully investigated the facts, and made generous use of the oral tradition of the Church and of what the All-Pure Virgin Mary Herself had told him (2:19, 51). Saint Luke’s Gospel, the message of the salvation made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the preaching of the Gospel, are of primary importance. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Holy Apostles at Rome around 62-63 A.D. Book of Acts, which is a continuation of the four Gospels, speaks about the works and the fruits of the holy Apostles after the Ascension of the Savior. the center of the narrative is the Council of the holy Apostles at Jerusalem in the year 51, Church event of great significance, which resulted in the separation of Christianity from Judaism and its independent dissemination into the world (Acts 15:6-29). theological focus of the Book of Acts is the coming of the Holy Spirit, Who will guide the Church “into all truth” (John 16:13) until the Second Coming of Christ. holy relics of Saint Luke were taken from Constantinople and brought to Padua, Italy at some point in history. this was during the infamous Crusade of 1204. In 1992, Metropolitan Hieronymus (Jerome) of Thebes requested the Roman Catholic bishop in Thebes to obtain a portion of Saint Luke’s relics for the saint’s empty sepulchre in the Orthodox cathedral in Thebes. Roman Catholic bishop Antonio Mattiazzo of Padua, noting that Orthodox pilgrims came to Padua to venerate the relics while many Catholics did not even know that the relics were there, a committee to investigate the relics in Padua, and the skull of Saint Luke in the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Vico in Prague. skeleton was determined to be that of an elderly man of strong build. 2001, a tooth found in the coffin was judged to be consistent with the DNA of Syrians living near the area of Antioch dating from 72-416 A.D. skull in Prague perfectly fit the neck bone of the skelton. tooth found in the coffin in Padua was also found to fit the jawbone of the skull. Mattiazzo sent a rib from the relics to Metropolitan Hieronymus to be venerated in Saint Luke’s original tomb in the Orthodox cathedral at Thebes. Luke is also commemorated on April 22. LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; all that we know about Luke comes from the New Testament. was a physician (Col 4:14), a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10ff; 20:5ff; 27-28). found in his Gospel and not elsewhere includes much of the account of Our Lord's birth and infancy and boyhood, some of the most moving parables, such as that of the Good Samaritan and that of the Prodigal Son, and three of the sayings of Christ on the Cross: "Father, forgive them," "Thou shalt be with me in Paradise," and "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Luke's account of the Gospel, we find an emphasis on the human love of Christ, on His compassion for sinners and for suffering and unhappy persons, for outcasts such as the Samaritans, tax collectors, lepers, shepherds (not a respected profession), and for the poor. role of women in Christ's ministry is more emphasized in Luke than in the other Gospel writings. the book of Acts, we find the early Christian community poised from the start to carry out its commission, confident and aware of Divine guidance. see how the early Christians at first preached only to Jews, then to Samaritans (a borderline case), then to outright Gentiles like Cornelius, and finally explicitly recognized that Gentiles and Jews are called on equal terms to the service and fellowship of Christ. St. Luke, from an old Book of Common Prayer makes many casual references throughout his writings (especially in Acts) to local customs and practices, often with demonstrable and noteworthy precision. mention just one example, he refers to two centurions by name, Cornelius in Acts 10 and Julius in Acts 27, and he calls them both by nomen only, rather than by nomen and cognomen (Sergius Paulus in Acts 13;7) or cognomen only (Gallio in Acts 18:12), as he does when speaking of civilian officials. is a distinction that would have been routine at the time that Luke is writing about, but one that had largely died out by, say, 70 AD. preserving it shows either that (1) he wrote fairly close to the events he described, or (2) he was describing persons and events on which he had good information, or (3) he was an expert historical novelist, with an ear for the authentic-sounding detail. is commonly thought to be the only non-Jewish New Testament writer. writings place the life of Christ and the development of the early Church in the larger context of the Roman Empire and society. the other hand, his writings are focused on Jerusalem and on the Temple. Gospel begins and ends in the Temple, and chapters nine through nineteen portray Jesus as journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem. the Book of Acts describes the Church in Jerusalem (and worshipping in the Temple) and then describes the missionary journeys of Paul as excursions from and returns to Jerusalem. ***** ***** ***** ***** writer wrote more pages of the New Testament than anyone else? If you say Paul, try again. In my pocket Bible, Acts and the Gospel of Luke occupy a total of sixty pages, while all the letters traditionally attributed to Paul (not counting Hebrews) total fifty-six. writer of the Third Gospel and the Book of Acts does not give his name in his writings. (Except for Nehemiah, no Biblical writer of a narrative book does.) does claim to be a traveling companion of Paul, and his interests and vocabulary suggest that he is a physician. Since Paul tells us that he had a companion named Luke who was a physician, the conclusion that Luke is the writer we are looking for is reasonable. the two-volume work Luke-Acts in fact written by a companion of Paul? Scholars are not agreed on the answer. and large, most German writers favor a negative answer. reasons are that (1) the chronology of Paul's life found in the Book of Acts presents certain apparent conflicts with that found in Paul's letter to the Galatians, and that (2) the writer seems unfamiliar with the geography of Israel. the other hand, most English scholars favor an affirmative answer. reasons are that the "We" sections in Acts (the sections in which the author explicitly claims to have been present at the events he describes) contain a wealth of circumstantial detail that make invention extremely unlikely. (Thus, for example, Mr. James Smith of Jordan Hill, FRS, having sailed a vessel over the same route described in Acts 27-28, argues in his book, The Voyage and Shipwreck of Saint Paul, that the account must have been written by someone who had sailed that route. It used to be a popular theory that the writer had somehow gotten his hands on a travel diary of the real "Luke" and incorporated it into his work. However, a detailed analysis of the writing style of various sections of the work shows none of the differences that would be expected on this theory. on the affirmative side generally answer the negative objections mentioned above by supposing that (1) the conferences mentioned in Acts 15 and Galatians 2 are not the same conference, and that (2) Luke uses the word "Judea" sometimes to mean the southern portion of the land of Israel, and sometimes to mean the whole land. some comments on the historical reliability of the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke, go to the following URLs: by James Kiefer

Rome, 30-90, Apostle Matthew, Capernaum, tax c, Gospel early in 50 at J, many lands, Ethiopia, Fulvian-Matthew story
Galilee, 30-90, Apostle Matthew, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee; the Apostle,[a] also known as Saint Matthew and possibly as Levi, was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. to Christian traditions, he was also one of the four Evangelists as author of the Gospel of Matthew, and thus is also known as Matthew the Evangelist, a claim rejected by the majority of modern biblical scholars, though the "traditional authorship still has its defenders."[3] New Testament records that as a disciple, he followed Jesus, and was one of the witnesses of the Ascension of Jesus. Later Church fathers such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria claim that Matthew preached the Gospel to the Jewish community in Judea, before going to other countries. Capernaum; MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (21 SEP NT); day Jesus was walking and saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at a tax collection post, and said to him, "Follow me." And Matthew stood up and followed Him, and became one of His twelve apostles. (See M 9:9-13 = P 2:13-17 = L 5:27-32) Tax collectors in those days were social outcasts. Devout Jews avoided them because they were usually dishonest (the job carried no salary, and they were expected to make their profits by cheating the people from whom they collected taxes). Patriotic and nationalistic Jews hated them because they were agents of the Roman government, the conquerors, and hated them with a double hatred if (like Matthew) they were Jews, because they had gone over to the enemy, had betrayed their own people for money. Thus, throughout the Gospels, we find tax collectors (publicans) mentioned as a standard type of sinful and despised outcast. Matthew brought many of his former associates to meet Jesus, and social outcasts in general were shown that the love of Jesus extended even to them. (Jesus numbered among his disciples persons of widely different backgrounds. They included not only Matthew, a former agent of the Roman government, but Simon the Zealot (not to be confused with Simon Peter). Josephus tells us that the Zealots were fanatical nationalists, determined to drive out the Romans by guerrilla tactics, ambushes, assassinations, terrorist methods, or whatever worked. Their motto was, "No king but Messiah, no tax but the Temple, no friend but the Zealot." It is not clear that Simon was, or had been, a member of the group that Josephus describes, but it seems clear that he would have regarded himself as at the opposite end of the political spectrum from Matthew.) The name "Matthew" means "gift of the LORD." Mark and Luke, in the story of his calling, name him "Levi." Perhaps this was his original name, and he received a new name from Jesus when he became a disciple. (It has also been suggested that he was simply a member of the tribe of Levi.) Of Matthew's life after Pentecost the Scriptures tell us nothing. Later accounts of his life vary, some reporting that he was martyred, others that he died a natural death. The Christian community since early times has commemorated him as a martyr. the Apostle Matthew is also the Evangelist Matthew -- that is, whether the Apostle Matthew wrote the Gospel that bears his name -- is disputed. The Gospel itself does not say who wrote it, but the designation "according to Matthew" is very old. In favor of his authorship it may be noted that (1) while Mark and Luke give the fourth pair of Apostles as "Matthew and Thomas," the Gospel of Matthew gives them as "Thomas and Matthew"; and (2) while Luke 5:29 explicitly states, and Mark 2:15 suggests, that Matthew gave a banquet for Jesus, Matthew 9:10 in describing the same banquet does not indicate who the host was. Both of these variations would be routine touches of modesty if Matthew was the author. On the other hand, the gospel (1) does not have the manner of an eyewitness, and (2) is thought by many scholars to contain material borrowed from Mark, whereas one would not expect someone who had been an eyewitness to borrow from someone who had not. (NOTE: The view that Mark is an older Gospel than Matthew is widespread and not long ago many scholars regarded the matter as settled. However, there is respectable opinion holding that Matthew is the earliest Gospel after all. See, for example, the comments in the Matthew volume of The Anchor Bible.) the Gospel was written by some early Christian, not an apostle, whose name was Matthew, and about whom nothing else is known. Early Christian readers, hearing the Gospel ascribed to "Matthew," would naturally associate it with the Apostle of that name, and so the ascribing of the work to the Apostle Matthew becomes common at an early date, by a perfectly natural misunderstanding. of Hierapolis, writing in the late first or early second century, says that Matthew compiled the sayings (Logia) of Jesus in Hebrew. Now the material common to Matthew and Luke, but not to Mark, includes sayings of Jesus but almost no narrative. It has therefore been conjectured that there was once a document (usually called Q), now lost, that is basically a collection of speeches by Jesus, and that Matthew (the evangelist) and Luke, had access to it while Mark did not. It has been suggested that Matthew (the apostle) is the author of this document Q, which may well have been first written in Hebrew (or Aramaic). Scripture readings associated with the day bear the themes of Matthew as a Gospel-writer (hence readings that speak of the Scriptures), Matthew as an Apostle, and Matthew as a sinner called by God's grace. by James Kiefer Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated on November 16; Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, was also named Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he was one of the Twelve Apostles (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:45; Acts 1:13), and was brother of the Apostle James Alphaeus (Mark 2:14). was a publican, or tax-collector for Rome, in a time when the Jews were under the rule of the Roman Empire. lived in the Galilean city of Capernaum. Matthew heard the voice of Jesus Christ: “Come, follow Me” (Mt. 9:9), left everything and followed the Savior. and His disciples did not refuse Matthew’s invitation and they visited his house, where they shared table with the publican’s friends and acquaintances. Like the host, they were also publicans and known sinners. event disturbed the pharisees and scribes a great deal. who collected taxes from their countrymen did this with great profit for themselves. Usually greedy and cruel people, the Jews considered them pernicious betrayers of their country and religion. The word “publican” for the Jews had the connotation of “public sinner” and “idol-worshipper.” To even speak with a tax-collector was considered a sin, and to associate with one was defilement. the Jewish teachers were not able to comprehend that the Lord had “come to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mt. 9:13). acknowledging his sinfulness, repaid fourfold anyone he had cheated, and he distributed his remaining possessions to the poor, and he followed after Christ with the other apostles. Matthew was attentive to the instructions of the Divine Teacher, he beheld His innumerable miracles, he went together with the Twelve Apostles preaching to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:6). was a witness to the suffering, death, and Resurrection of the Savior, and of His glorious Ascension into Heaven. received the grace of the Holy Spirit, which descended upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, Saint Matthew preached in Palestine for several years. the request of the Jewish converts at Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew wrote his Gospel describing the earthly life of the Savior, before leaving to preach the Gospel in faraway lands. the order of the books of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew comes first. Palestine is said to be the place where the Gospel was written. Saint Matthew wrote in Aramaic, and then it was translated into Greek. The Aramaic text has not survived, but many of the linguistic and cultural-historical peculiarities of the Greek translation give indications of it. Apostle Matthew preached among people who were awaiting the Messiah. His Gospel manifests itself as a vivid proof that Jesus Christ is the Messiah foretold by the prophets, and that there would not be another (Mt. 11:3). preaching and deeds of the Savior are presented by the evangelist in three divisions, constituting three aspects of the service of the as Prophet and Law-Giver (Ch. 5-7), over the world both visible and invisible (Ch. 8-25), finally as High Priest offered as Sacrifice for the sins of all mankind (Ch. 26-27). theological content of the Gospel, besides the Christological themes, includes also the teaching about the Kingdom of God and about the Church, which the Lord sets forth in parables about the inner preparation for entering into the Kingdom (Ch. 5-7), about the worthiness of servers of the Church in the world (Ch. 10-11), about the signs of the Kingdom and its growth in the souls of mankind (Ch. 13), about the humility and simplicity of the inheritors of the Kingdom (Mt. 18:1-35; 19 13-30; 20:1-16; 25-27; 23:1-28), and about the eschatological revelations of the Kingdom in the Second Coming of Christ within the daily spiritual life of the Church (Ch. 24-25). Kingdom of Heaven and the Church are closely interconnected in the spiritual experience of Christianity: the Church is the historical embodiment of the Kingdom of Heaven in the world, and the Kingdom of Heaven is the Church of Christ in its eschatological perfection (Mt. 16:18-19; 28:18-20). holy Apostle brought the Gospel of Christ to Syria, Media, Persia, Parthia, finishing his preaching in Ethiopia with a martyr’s death. land was inhabited by tribes of cannibals with primitive customs and beliefs. The holy Apostle Matthew converted some of the idol-worshippers to faith in Christ. He founded the Church and built a temple in the city of Mirmena, establishing there his companion Platon as bishop. the holy apostle was fervently entreating God for the conversion of the Ethiopians the Lord Himself appeared to him in the form of a youth. He gave him a staff, and commanded him to plant it at the doors of the church. The Lord said that a tree would grow from this staff and it would bear fruit, and from its roots would flow a stream of water. the Ethiopians washed themselves in the water and ate the fruit, they lost their wild ways and became gentle and good. the holy apostle carried the staff towards the church, he was met by the wife and son of the ruler of the land, Fulvian, who were afflicted by unclean spirits. In the Name of Christ the holy apostle healed them. This miracle converted a number of the pagans to the Lord. But the ruler did not want his subjects to become Christians and cease worshiping the pagan gods. He accused the apostle of sorcery and gave orders to execute him. put Saint Matthew head downwards, piled up brushwood and ignited it. When the fire flared up, everyone then saw that the fire did not harm Saint Matthew. Then Fulvian gave orders to add more wood to the fire, and frenzied with boldness, he commanded to set up twelve idols around the fire. But the flames melted the idols and flared up toward Fulvian. The frightened Ethiopian turned to the saint with an entreaty for mercy, and by the prayer of the martyr the flame went out. The body of the holy apostle remained unharmed, and he departed to the Lord. ruler Fulvian deeply repented of his deed, but still he had doubts. his command, they put the body of Saint Matthew into an iron coffin and threw it into the sea. In doing this Fulvian said that if the God of Matthew would preserve the body of the apostle in the water as He preserved him in the fire, then this would be proper reason to worship this One True God. night the Apostle Matthew appeared to Bishop Platon in a dream, and commanded him to go with clergy to the shore of the sea and to find his body there. righteous Fulvian and his retinue went with the bishop to the shore of the sea. The coffin carried by the waves was taken to the church built by the apostle. Then Fulvian begged forgiveness of the holy Apostle Matthew, after which Bishop Platon baptized him, giving him the name Matthew in obedience to a command of God. Saint Fulvian-Matthew abdicated his rule and became a presbyter. Upon the death of Bishop Platon, the Apostle Matthew appeared to him and exhorted him to head the Ethiopian Church. Having become a bishop, Saint Fulvian-Matthew toiled at preaching the Word of God, continuing the work of his heavenly patron.

Rome, 30-97, Apostle Titus, Paul's closest, Preoccupied by Sciences, Isaiah 47, Bishop, 65 Epistle Rome, 68 Lycia Crete
Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on August 25; Titus, Apostle of the Seventy was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (December 20) testifies of him. such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, suggesting that he abandon Hellenistic wisdom, which could not provide salvation for his soul, but rather to seek that which would save him. After this dream, Saint Titus waited yet another year, since it was not actually a command, but it did guide him to familiarize himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47th Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition. news reached Crete about the appearance of a Great Prophet in Palestine, and about the great miracles He worked, the governor of the island of Crete (an uncle of Titus) sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Who came into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from the oppression of ancestral sin. Jerusalem, Saint Titus saw the Lord. He heard His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering and death of the Savior on the Cross, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future apostle heard how the Twelve Apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages, among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11). Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He was involved in establishing new churches, and was with Paul in Jerusalem. Titus was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and was made Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, not long before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral epistle to his son in the Faith (Tit. 1: 4). the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, Saint Titus left his flock in Crete for a time and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual Father. After Saint Paul’s death by martyrdom, Titus returned to Gortyna, the chief city of Crete. Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted the gift of wonderworking by the Lord. During one of the pagan feasts in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a crowd of pagans. he saw that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the falseness of idols. By the prayer of Saint Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time Saint Titus prayed that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple of Zeus, and it collapsed. such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun. Lycia, 68-100, Hieromartyrs of Myra, Bishop Nicander, Presbyter Hermas; Myra, Lycia; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4 ; Hieromartyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and Hermas the Presbyter, were disciples of the holy Apostle Paul’s follower and fellow ascetic, the holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy (August 25), and they were ordained by him to the priesthood. the ascetic life amid incessant pastoral works, the saints converted many pagans to Christ. For this they were arrested and brought before the city prefect, Libanius. Neither flattery nor threats swayed the holy martyrs to renounce Christ. Then Libanius gave orders that they be tortured. saints endured fierce and inhuman torments: they were tied to horses and dragged over stones, their bodies were raked with iron hooks, and they were cast into a hot oven. The Lord helped them endure things that a mere man by his own strength could not endure. Towards the end, iron nails were hammered into their heads and hearts. They were thrown into a pit, then covered over with earth. enduring such a cruel death, now they live forever in the joy of the Lord (Mt. 25:21). Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on August 25; such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun. Titus, Apostle of the Seventy was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (December 20) testifies of him. such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, suggesting that he abandon Hellenistic wisdom, which could not provide salvation for his soul, but rather to seek that which would save him. After this dream, Saint Titus waited yet another year, since it was not actually a command, but it did guide him to familiarize himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47th Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition. news reached Crete about the appearance of a Great Prophet in Palestine, and about the great miracles He worked, the governor of the island of Crete (an uncle of Titus) sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Who came into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from the oppression of ancestral sin. Jerusalem, Saint Titus saw the Lord. He heard His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering and death of the Savior on the Cross, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future apostle heard how the Twelve Apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages, among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11). Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He was involved in establishing new churches, and was with Paul in Jerusalem. Titus was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and was made Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, not long before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral epistle to his son in the Faith (Tit. 1: 4). the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, Saint Titus left his flock in Crete for a time and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual Father. After Saint Paul’s death by martyrdom, Titus returned to Gortyna, the chief city of Crete. Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted the gift of wonderworking by the Lord. During one of the pagan feasts in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a crowd of pagans. he saw that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the falseness of idols. By the prayer of Saint Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time Saint Titus prayed that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple of Zeus, and it collapsed. such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun.

Rome, 30-96, Titus, of t Seventy, heard voice, read Isaiah, uncle sent him to see Jesus, accompanied st paul, bishop of Crete
Crete, 30-96, Saint Titus of the Seventy; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on August 25; Titus, Apostle of the Seventy was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. Preoccupied by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (December 20) testifies of him. such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, suggesting that he abandon Hellenistic wisdom, which could not provide salvation for his soul, but rather to seek that which would save him. After this dream, Saint Titus waited yet another year, since it was not actually a command, but it did guide him to familiarize himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. The first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47th Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition. news reached Crete about the appearance of a Great Prophet in Palestine, and about the great miracles He worked, the governor of the island of Crete (an uncle of Titus) sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Who came into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from the oppression of ancestral sin. Jerusalem, Saint Titus saw the Lord. He heard His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering and death of the Savior on the Cross, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future apostle heard how the Twelve Apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages, among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11). Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He was involved in establishing new churches, and was with Paul in Jerusalem. Titus was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and was made Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, not long before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral epistle to his son in the Faith (Tit. 1: 4). the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, Saint Titus left his flock in Crete for a time and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual Father. After Saint Paul’s death by martyrdom, Titus returned to Gortyna, the chief city of Crete. Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted the gift of wonderworking by the Lord. During one of the pagan feasts in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a crowd of pagans. he saw that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the falseness of idols. By the prayer of Saint Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time Saint Titus prayed that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple of Zeus, and it collapsed. such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun.

Rome, 30-110, Apostle Sosipater, Bishop of Iconium (Konya), Lyconia, then in 63 went to Corfu, Epirus
Lyconia, 30-110, Apostle Sosipater, Bishop of Iconium (Konya), Lyconia ; is a person mentioned in the New Testament, in Romans 16:21. He is probably the same person as Sopater mentioned in Acts 20:4. church tradition, he is known as Sosipater of Iconium, and is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Sosipater's feast days are on April 28 (Slavic tradition), or 29 (Greek tradition) with St. Jason; 10 with saints Erastus, Olympas, Herodian, Quartus and Tertius; and January 4 with the Seventy. According to Latin tradition, the disciple of St Paul the Apostle died on the 25th of June in Beroea. was born in Achaea. According to legend, he was Bishop in Iconium[1] (prior to the Apostle Tertius) by his relative the Apostle Paul. the Apostle Jason he traveled to the island of Corfu where they built a church in honor of the Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr and converted many pagans to the Christian faith. this, the governor of Corfu threw them into prison where they converted seven other prisoners to the Christian faith: Saturninus, Jakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius, known as the Seven Robbers. The governor had those seven put to death by boiling pitch for their faith. governor's daughter, the virgin Cercyra [uk], having watched these holy apostles being tortured and turned to the Christian faith, distributed all her jewels to the poor. governor became angry and put her in prison, yet she would not deny Christ. So he had the prison burned, but she remained unharmed. Many people were baptized upon seeing this miracle. He then had her killed with arrows while tied to a tree. believers fled to a nearby island to get away from the enraged governor, but as he chased them his boat sank. The new governor embraced the Christian faith and in baptism received the name Sebastian. then on Sts. Sosipater and Jason freely preached the Gospel and built up the Church in Corfu until a very old age, when they gave up their souls to God. Iconium; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated November 10; Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. The holy Apostles Erastus, Sosipater (April 28), Olympas (January 4), Rodion (April 8), Quartus and Tertius (October 30) were disciples of Saint Paul. They all lived during the first century. Apostle to the Gentiles speaks of them in the Epistle to the Romans, “And Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother” (Rom 16: 23). Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified. Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut. Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Andronicus of 70, Bishop of Pannonia (modern-day Hungary), Paul's kin
Hungary, 30 - 1st Century, Apostle Andronicus, Bishop of Pannonia (modern-day Hungary), Paul's kin; Hungary, Pannonia (modern-day Hungary), Pannonia was located over the territory of the present-day western Hungary, eastern Austria, northern Croatia, north-western Serbia, northern Slovenia, western Slovakia and northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Holy Apostle of the Seventy Andronicus was a disciple of the Savior. Apostle Andronicus is mentioned by Saint Paul: “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, ... who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ, before me” (Rom. 16:7). holy Apostle Andronicus was bishop in Pannonia (modern-day Hungary). Andronicus and Junia are also commemorated on May 17.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Adronicus, Paul's kin, Pannonia (Hungary, Austia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hezegovinia)
Serbia, 40-60 approx, Adronicus and Junia, Paul's kin, in Pannonia (parts of: Hungary, Austia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hezegovinia); Andronicus Apostle of the Seventy and Saint Junia were relatives of the holy Apostle Paul. They labored much, preaching the Gospel to pagans. Saint Paul mentions them in his Epistle to the Romans: “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ, before meâ€ (Romans 16:7). Andronicus was made Bishop of Pannonia, but his preaching also took him and Saint Junia to other lands, far from the boundaries of his diocese. Through the efforts of Saints Andronicus and Junia the Church of Christ was strengthened, pagans were converted to the knowledge of God, many pagan temples closed, and in their place Christian churches were built. The service in honor of these saints states that they suffered martyrdom for Christ. the fifth century, during the reign of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius, their holy relics were uncovered on the outskirts of Constantinople together with the relics of other martyrs at the gate of Eugenius (February 22). was revealed to the pious cleric Nicholas Kalligraphos that among the relics of these seventeen martyrs were the relics of the holy Apostle Andronicus. Afterwards, a magnificent church was built on this spot. Pannonia (parts of: Hungary, Austia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hezegovinia) ; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy and his fellow-laborer, Junia, Commemorated on May 17

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Quartus, Bishop of Beirut, served in Magnesia, born and died in Athens
Lebanon, 30-1st Century, Apostle Quartus, Bishop of Beirut, Lebanon; (Greek: Κούαρτος, romanized: Kouartos) was an early Christian who is mentioned in the Bible. to church tradition, he is known as Quartus of Berytus[1] and is numbered among the Seventy Disciples. Furthermore, he was Bishop of Beirut and suffered for the faith. He converted many to the Christian faith. His feast day is 10 November. was born in the city of Athens, and was one of its wealthy and learned nobles. He believed in the Lord Christ and served him. Having received the grace of the Comforter on the day of Pentecost, he preached the gospel in many countries. He entered the city of Magnis and preached there. The people of the city believed; he baptized them and taught them the commandments. Then he returned to Athens, to preach there also, but they stoned him and tortured him severely. Finally they cast him into the fire; thus, he received the crown of martyrdom. Beirut; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10 ; Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut. holy Apostles Erastus, Sosipater (April 28), Olympas (January 4), Rodion (April 8), Quartus and Tertius (October 30) were disciples of Saint Paul. They all lived during the first century. Apostle to the Gentiles speaks of them in the Epistle to the Romans, “And Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother” (Rom 16: 23). Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified. Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut. Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died. Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4;

Rome, 30-1st century, Timon the Deacon, Bishop of Bosra in Syria (Kings Highway 16) of the Seventy, red hot furnace
Syria, 30- 1st century, Timon the Deacon, Bishop of Bosra in Syria (Kings Highway 16) of the Seventy, red hot furnace; Bosra in Syria; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commerated December 30 ; Holy Apostle Timon was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles (Acts 6:5) to minister to destitute Christian widows. he was chosen bishop of the city of Bosra in Syria, where he led many to Christianity. was thrown into a red-hot furnace and received the crown of martyrdom. He is also commemorated on July 28.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Caesar, of the 70, Dirrachium, Albania (Roman Road, K Triangle Via Egnatia, Macedonia)
Albania, 30-, Apostle Caesar, Dirrachium, Albania (K Triangle Via Egnatia, Macedonia) Dirrachium, Albania Apostle Caesar of the Seventy, Commemorated December 8 ; Caesar preached at and was bishop of Dyrrhachium, a district of the Peloponnesos in Greece.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, 2nd bishop of Iconium, amanuensis for Paul for E to Romans
Lykaonia, 30-1st Century, Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, 2nd bishop of Iconium; to the New Testament book of Romans, Tertius of Iconium (also Tertios) acted as an amanuensis for Paul the Apostle, writing down his Epistle to the Romans.[1] He is numbered among the Seventy Disciples in a list pseudonymously attributed to Hippolytus of Rome,[2] which is found in the margin of several ancient manuscripts.[3] to tradition, Tertius was Bishop in Iconium[4][5] after the Apostle Sosipater[6] and died a martyr.[citation needed] The Catholic Church marks St. Tertius days on October 30 and November 10. Iconium; Apostles of the Seventy: Tertius, Commemorated on November 10; Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Erastus of Corinth, of the Seventy, steward at Jerusalem, Paneas and C
Erastus of Corinth; of Corinth, also known as Erastus of Paneas, held the political office of steward, in Corinth, according to the Epistle to the Romans 16:23 of the New Testament. office is defined as "the manager of household or of household affairs" or, in this context, "treasurer".[1] King James Version uses the translation "chamberlain", while the New International Version uses "director of public works". person named Erastus mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:20 and Acts 19:22 is often taken to be the same person. However, whereas the Erastus mentioned in the second letter to Timothy may be the same person, it is unlikely that the Erastus referred to in the Book of Acts is the same Erastus. This Erastus was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul and accompanied him on his third missionary journey. It was on this third expedition that Paul penned the letter to the Roman believers in which he sent greetings from Erastus, the city treasurer. He could not have been the person in Paul's entourage. The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome while he was in Corinth (Romans 14:25-26, 27). to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Erastus is numbered among the Seventy Disciples. He served as a deacon and steward of the Church at Jerusalem and later of Paneas in Palestine. The Church remembers St. Erastus on January 4 among the Seventy, and on November 10. Corinth;

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Bishop of Athens, made by Philip
Greece, 30-1st Century, Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Bishop of Athens, made by Philip; Athens; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated October 31 ; Narcissus, one of the Seventy Apostles, was made Bishop of Athens by the Apostle Philip. Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles was established by the Orthodox Church to indicate the equal honor of each of the Seventy. They were sent two by two by the Lord Jesus Christ to go before Him into the cities He would visit (Luke 10:1). the celebration of the Synaxis of the Holy Disciples, the Church celebrates the memory of each of them during the course of the year: Saint James the Brother of the Lord (October 23); Mark the Evangelist (April 25); Luke the Evangelist (October 18); Cleopas (October 30), brother of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, and Simeon his son (April 27); Barnabas (June 11); Joses, or Joseph, named Barsabas or Justus (October 30); Thaddeus (August 21); Ananias (October 1); Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon (December 27); Philip the Deacon (October 11); Prochorus the Deacon (28 July); Nicanor the Deacon (July 28 and December 28); Timon the Deacon (July 28 and December 30); Parmenas the Deacon (July 28); Timothy (January 22); Titus (August 25); Philemon (November 22 and February 19); Onesimus (February 15); Epaphras and Archippus (November 22 and February 19); Silas, Silvanus, Crescens or Criscus (July 30); Crispus and Epaenetos (July 30); Andronicus (May 17 and July 30); Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles (October 31); Aristobulus (October 31 and March 16); Herodion or Rodion (April 8 and November 10); Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon (April 8); Hermas (November 5, November 30 and May 31); Patrobas (November 5); Hermes (April 8); Linus, Gaius, Philologus (November 5); Lucius (September 10); Jason (April 28); Sosipater (April 28 and November 10); Olympas or Olympanus (November 10 ); Tertius (October 30 and November 10); Erastos (November 30), Quartus (November 10); Euodius (September 7); Onesiphorus (September 7 and December 8); Clement (November 25); Sosthenes (December 8); Apollos (March 30 and December 8); Tychicus, Epaphroditus (December 8); Carpus (May 26); Quadratus (September 21); Mark (September 27), called John, Zeno (September 27); Aristarchus (April 15 and September 27); Pudens and Trophimus (April 15); Mark nephew of Barnabas, Artemas (October 30); Aquila (July 14); Fortunatus (June 15) and Achaicus (January 4). the Descent of the Holy Spirit the Seventy Apostles preached in various lands. Some accompanied the Twelve Apostles, like the holy Evangelists Mark and Luke, or Saint Paul’s companion Timothy, or Prochorus,the disciple of the holy Evangelist John the Theologian, and others. Many of them were thrown into prison for Christ, and many received the crown of martyrdom. are two more Apostles of the Seventy: Saint Cephas, to whom the Lord appeared after the Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-6), and Simeon, called Niger (Acts 13:1). They also were glorified by apostolic preaching. are discrepancies and errors in some lists of the Seventy Apostles. In a list attributed to Saint Dorotheus of Tyre (June 5) some names are repeated (Rodion, or Herodion, Apollos, Tychicus, Aristarchus), while others are omitted (Timothy, Titus, Epaphras, Archippus, Aquila, Olympas). Saint Demetrius of Rostov consulted the Holy Scripture, the traditions passed down by the Fathers, and the accounts of trustworthy historians when he attempted to correct the mistakes and uncertainties in the list in compiling his collection of Lives of the Saints. Church in particular venerates and praises the Seventy Apostles because they taught us to honor the Trinity One in Essence and Undivided. the ninth century Saint Joseph the Hymnographer composed the Canon for the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles of Christ.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Bishop of Macedonia, Greece, St Andrew ordained Urban, martyr
Greece, 30-1st Century, Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Macedonia, Greece; of Macedonia is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. Along with the Apostles Ampliatus, Stachys, Narcissus of Athens, Apelles of Heraklion and Aristobulus of Britannia (all of these names are mentioned together by St. Paul in Romans 16:8-11, which cannot be casual) he assisted Saint Andrew. St. Andrew ordained Urban bishop in Macedonia. He died a martyr, and his feast day is October 31. is venerated as saint by Eastern Orthodox Church (January 4, October 31), Roman Catholic Church (July 13) and other Christian Churches. Macedonia ancient kingdom; Macedonia Region; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31 ; Urban, one of the Seventy Apostles, was made a bishop by Saint Andrew (November 30), and was active in Macedonia. He was killed by Jews and pagan Greeks because of his zeal in preaching the Gospel.

Rome, 30-1st Century, Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Bishop of Lydda or Diospolis
Apostle Amplias of the Seventy; Lydda or Lod; Apostle Zenas of the Seventy, Commemorated September 27 ; St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, Commemorated October 25 ; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated October 31 ; Amplias was a bishop in the city of Diospolis. Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles was established by the Orthodox Church to indicate the equal honor of each of the Seventy. They were sent two by two by the Lord Jesus Christ to go before Him into the cities He would visit (Luke 10:1). the celebration of the Synaxis of the Holy Disciples, the Church celebrates the memory of each of them during the course of the year: Saint James the Brother of the Lord (October 23); Mark the Evangelist (April 25); Luke the Evangelist (October 18); Cleopas (October 30), brother of Saint Joseph the Betrothed, and Simeon his son (April 27); Barnabas (June 11); Joses, or Joseph, named Barsabas or Justus (October 30); Thaddeus (August 21); Ananias (October 1); Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon (December 27); Philip the Deacon (October 11); Prochorus the Deacon (28 July); Nicanor the Deacon (July 28 and December 28); Timon the Deacon (July 28 and December 30); Parmenas the Deacon (July 28); Timothy (January 22); Titus (August 25); Philemon (November 22 and February 19); Onesimus (February 15); Epaphras and Archippus (November 22 and February 19); Silas, Silvanus, Crescens or Criscus (July 30); Crispus and Epaenetos (July 30); Andronicus (May 17 and July 30); Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles (October 31); Aristobulus (October 31 and March 16); Herodion or Rodion (April 8 and November 10); Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon (April 8); Hermas (November 5, November 30 and May 31); Patrobas (November 5); Hermes (April 8); Linus, Gaius, Philologus (November 5); Lucius (September 10); Jason (April 28); Sosipater (April 28 and November 10); Olympas or Olympanus (November 10 ); Tertius (October 30 and November 10); Erastos (November 30), Quartus (November 10); Euodius (September 7); Onesiphorus (September 7 and December 8); Clement (November 25); Sosthenes (December 8); Apollos (March 30 and December 8); Tychicus, Epaphroditus (December 8); Carpus (May 26); Quadratus (September 21); Mark (September 27), called John, Zeno (September 27); Aristarchus (April 15 and September 27); Pudens and Trophimus (April 15); Mark nephew of Barnabas, Artemas (October 30); Aquila (July 14); Fortunatus (June 15) and Achaicus (January 4). the Descent of the Holy Spirit the Seventy Apostles preached in various lands. Some accompanied the Twelve Apostles, like the holy Evangelists Mark and Luke, or Saint Paul’s companion Timothy, or Prochorus,the disciple of the holy Evangelist John the Theologian, and others. Many of them were thrown into prison for Christ, and many received the crown of martyrdom. are two more Apostles of the Seventy: Saint Cephas, to whom the Lord appeared after the Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-6), and Simeon, called Niger (Acts 13:1). They also were glorified by apostolic preaching. are discrepancies and errors in some lists of the Seventy Apostles. In a list attributed to Saint Dorotheus of Tyre (June 5) some names are repeated (Rodion, or Herodion, Apollos, Tychicus, Aristarchus), while others are omitted (Timothy, Titus, Epaphras, Archippus, Aquila, Olympas). Saint Demetrius of Rostov consulted the Holy Scripture, the traditions passed down by the Fathers, and the accounts of trustworthy historians when he attempted to correct the mistakes and uncertainties in the list in compiling his collection of Lives of the Saints. Church in particular venerates and praises the Seventy Apostles because they taught us to honor the Trinity One in Essence and Undivided. the ninth century Saint Joseph the Hymnographer composed the Canon for the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles of Christ. Icon œNot Made by HandsÂ from Lydda, Commemorated on March 12; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe RomanÂ, Commemorated on June 26;

Rome, 32, Beheading of the Forerunner in Galilee, jail because he denounced Herod, Salome danced, Herod gave her John's head
Galilee, 32, Beheading of the Forerunner in Galilee, jail because he denounced Herod for leaving wife and living with brother's wife, Salome danced, Herod gave her what she wanted, John's head ; Lower Galilee; Western Galilee; Upper Galilee; Galilee Region; The Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, Commemorated on August 29 ; Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist: Evangelists Matthew (Mt.14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) provide accounts about the martyric end of John the Baptist in the year 32 after the Birth of Christ. the Baptism of the Lord, Saint John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch (ruler of one fourth of the Holy Land) and governor of Galilee. the death of king Herod the Great, the Romans divided the territory of Palestine into four parts, and put a governor in charge of each part. Herod Antipas received Galilee from the emperor Augustus). prophet of God John openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then instead cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20). his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. the daughter of Herod, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl, he swore to give her whatever she would ask, up to half his kingdom. vile girl on the advice of her wicked mother Herodias asked that she be given the head of John the Baptist on a platter. became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He also feared the people, who loved the holy Forerunner. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of Saint John and to give it to Salome. to Tradition, the mouth of the dead preacher of repentance once more opened and proclaimed: “Herod, you should not have the wife of your brother Philip.” took the platter with the head of Saint John and gave it to her mother. frenzied Herodias repeatedly stabbed the tongue of the prophet with a needle and buried his holy head in a unclean place. the pious Joanna, wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, buried the head of John the Baptist in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod had a parcel of land. Uncovering of the Venerable Head is celebrated February 24). holy body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia, there where the wicked deed had been done. the murder of Saint John the Baptist, Herod continued to govern for a certain time. Pilate, governor of Judea, later sent Jesus Christ to him, Whom he mocked (Luke 23:7-12). judgment of God came upon Herod, Herodias and Salome, even during their earthly life. crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The ice gave way in such a way that her body was in the water, but her head was trapped above the ice. It was similar to how she once had danced with her feet upon the ground, but now she flailed helplessly in the icy water. she was trapped until that time when the sharp ice cut through her neck. corpse was not found, but they brought the head to Herod and Herodias, as once they had brought them the head of Saint John the Baptist. Arab king Aretas, in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter, made war against Herod. The defeated Herod suffered the wrath of the Roman emperor Caius Caligua (37-41) and was exiled with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain. Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day. the Church makes remembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on the field of battle, as established in 1769 at the time of Russia’s war with the Turks and the Poles.

Rome, 33, TRANSFIGURATION, Tabor, Jesus d light, Peter, James, John, w Moses & Elijah, this my son, Orthodox d light focus
Galilee, 33, FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, Mt Tabor, Galilee (Kishon River Source), beginning to teach his death and resurrection, revealed himself to Peter, James and John, w Moses and Elijah, Law and Prophets, Father proclaimed this is my son, Listen to him, Orthodox say what light, why 6 days and 8 days, 8 on the mt only 6 visible, it is because mystery of the 8th day in the future, the day of the Church; Mount Tabor; FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, (6 AUGUST NT); we celebrate the occasion (recorded in M 17:1-8 = P 9:2-8 = L 9:28-36) on which Christ, He was beginning to teach His disciples that He must die and rise again, Himself in shining splendor to Peter, James, and John. and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify that the Law and the Prophets testify that Jesus is the promised Messiah. the Father also proclaimed him as such, saying, "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him." For a moment the veil is drawn aside, and men still on earth are permitted a glimpse of the heavenly reality, the glory of the Eternal Triune God. The Transfiguration, by Giovanno Lanfranco the East, the Festival of the Transfiguration has been celebrated since the late fourth century, and is one of the twelve great festivals of the East Orthodox calendar. the West it was observed after the ninth century by some monastic orders, and in 1457 Pope Callistus III ordered its general observance. the time of the Reformation, it was still felt in some countries to be a "recent innovation," and so was not immediately taken over into most Reformation calendars, but is now found on most calendars that have been revised in the twentieth century. recent tendency in the West is to commemorate the Transfiguration on the Sunday just before Lent, in accordance with the pattern found in the Synoptics, where Jesus is represented as beginning to speak of his forthcoming death just about the time of the Transfiguration, so that it forms a fitting transition between the Epiphany season, in which Christ makes himself known, and the Lenten season, in which he prepares the disciples for what lies ahead. observing the Transfiguration then will affect the observation of it on 6 August remains to be seen. The Transfiguration, from the Predis Codex FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29-35 (When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, after speaking with the LORD, the skin of his face was so radiant that the Israelites were afraid to look at him. Therefore, he wore a veil.) PSALM 99 or 99:5-9 (The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble.... Moses and Aaron and Samuel cried unto him, and he spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.) EPISTLE: 2 Peter 1:13-21 (Peter, near the end of his life, for his own strengthening and that of his readers, recalls his long-ago experience of seeing the Transfigured Christ.) THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-36 (Jesus took Peter and James and John up a mountain, and there appeared to them in shining splendor, and with Him appeared Moses and Elijah, who spoke with Him.) by James Kiefer The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ (the Second œFeast of the Savior in August), Commemorated on August 6; on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up onto a high mountain by themselves” (Mt.17:1). of all we must ask, from whence does the Evangelist Matthew begin to reckon with six days? From what sort of day is it? What does the preceding turn of speech indicate, where the Savior, in teaching His disciples, said to them: “For the Son of Man shall come with his angels in the glory of His Father,” further: “Amen I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death, until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Mt.16:27-28)? is to say, it is the Light of His own forthcoming Transfiguration which He terms the Glory of His Father and of His Kingdom. Evangelist Luke points this out and reveals this more clearly saying: “Now it came to pass about eight days after these words, that He took Peter and John and James, and went up the mountain to pray. as He prayed, His countenance was altered, and His raiment became a radiant white” (Luke 9:28-29). how can the two be reconciled, when one of them speaks definitively about the interval of time as being eight days between the sayings and the manifestation, whereas the other (says): “after six days?” were eight on the mountain, but only six were visible. Three, Peter, James and John, had come up with Jesus, and they saw Moses and Elias standing there and conversing with Him, so altogether there were six of them. the Father and the Holy Spirit were invisibly with the Lord: the Father, with His Voice testifying that this was His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit shining forth with Him in the radiant cloud. the six are actually eight, and there is no contradiction regarding the eight. there is no contradiction with the Evangelists when one says “after six days,” and the other says “eight days after these words.” these twofold sayings as it were present is a certain format set in mystery, and together with it that of those actually present upon the Mount. stands to reason, and everyone rationally studying in accordance with Scripture knows that the Evangelists are in agreement one with another. spoke of eight days without contradicting Matthew, who declared “after six days.” There is not another day added on to represent the day on which these sayings were uttered, nor is the day on which the Lord was transfigured added on (which a rational person might reasonably imagine to be added to the days of Matthew). Evangelist Luke does not say “after eight days” (like the Evangelist Matthew says “after six days”), but rather “it came to pass eight days after these words.” where the Evangelists seem to contradict one another, they actually point out to us something great and mysterious. In actual fact, why did the one say “after six days,” but the other, in ignoring the seventh day, have in mind the eighth day? is because the great vision of the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is the mystery of the Eighth Day, i.e., of the future age, coming to be revealed after the passing away of the world created in six days. the power of the Divine Spirit, through Whom the Kingdom of God is to be revealed, the Lord predicted: “There are some standing here who shall not taste death, until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Mt.16:28). and in every way the King will be present, and everywhere will be His Kingdom, since the advent of His Kingdom does not signify the passing over from one place to another, but rather the revelation of its power of the Divine Spirit. is why it is said: “come in power.” And this power is not manifest to simply ordinary people, but to those standing with the Lord, that is to say, those who have affirmed their faith in Him like Peter, James and John, and especially those who are free of our natural abasement. and precisely because of this, God manifests Himself upon the Mount, on the one hand coming down from His heights, and on the other, raising us up from the depths of abasement, since the Transcendent One takes on mortal nature. such a manifest appearance by far transcends the utmost limits of the mind’s grasp, as effectualized by the power of the Divine Spirit. the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is not something that comes to be and then vanishes, nor is it subject to the sensory faculties, although it was contemplated by corporeal eyes for a short while upon an inconsequential mountaintop. the initiates of the Mystery, (the disciples) of the Lord at this time passed beyond mere flesh into spirit through a transformation of their senses, effectualized within them by the Spirit, and in such a way that they beheld what, and to what extent, the Divine Spirit had wrought blessedness in them to behold the Ineffable Light. not grasping this point have conjectured that the chosen from among the Apostles beheld the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord by a sensual and creaturely faculty, and through this they attempt to reduce to a creaturely level (i.e., as something “created”) not only this Light, the Kingdom and the Glory of God, but also the Power of the Divine Spirit, through Whom it is meet for Divine Mysteries to be revealed. all likelihood, such persons have not heeded the words of the Apostle Paul: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him. But to us God has revealed them through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Cor.2:9-10). with the onset of the Eighth Day, the Lord, taking Peter, James and John, went up on the Mount to pray. always prayed alone, withdrawing from everyone, even from the Apostles themselves, as for example when with five loaves and two fish He fed the five thousand men, besides women and children (Mt.14:19-23). taking with Him those who excelled others, as at the approach of His Saving Passion, when He said to the other disciples: “Sit here while I go over there and pray” (Mt.26:36). He took with Him Peter, James and John. But in our instance right here and now, having taken only these same three, the Lord led them up onto a high mountain by themselves and was transfigured before them, that is to say, before their very eyes. “What does it mean to say: He was transfigured?” asks the Golden-Mouthed Theologian (Chrysostom). answers this by saying: “It revealed something of His Divinity to them, as much and insofar as they were able to apprehend it, and it showed the indwelling of God within Him.” Evangelist Luke says: “And as He prayed, His countenance was altered” (Luke 9:29); from the Evangelist Matthew we read: “And His face shone as the sun” (Mt.17:2). the Evangelist said this, not in the context that this Light be thought of as subsistent for the senses us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses). it is to show that Christ God, for those living and contemplating by the Spirit, is the same as the sun is for those living in the flesh and contemplating by the senses. some other Light for the knowing the Divinity is not necessary for those who are enriched by Divine gifts. same Inscrutable Light shone and was mysteriously manifest to the Apostles and the foremost of the Prophets at that moment, when (the Lord) was praying. shows that what brought forth this blessed sight was prayer, that the radiance occured and was manifest by uniting the mind with God, that it is granted to all who, with constant exercise in efforts of virtue and prayer, strive with their mind towards God. beauty, essentially, can be contemplated only with a purified mind. To gaze upon its luminance assumes a sort of participation in it, as though some bright ray etches itself upon the face. the face of Moses was illumined by his association with God. Do you not know that Moses was transfigured when he went up the mountain, and there beheld the Glory of God? But he (Moses) did not effect this, but rather he underwent a transfiguration. our Lord Jesus Christ possessed that Light Himself. this regard, actually, He did not need prayer for His flesh to radiate with the Divine Light; it was but to show from whence that Light descends upon the saints of God, and how to contemplate it. it is written that even the saints “will shine forth like the sun” (Mt.13:43), is to say, entirely permeated by Divine Light as they gaze upon Christ, divinely and inexpressibly shining forth His Radiance, issuing from His Divine Nature. Mount Tabor it was manifest also in His Flesh, by reason of the Hypostatic Union (i.e., the union of the two perfect natures, divine and human, within the divine Person [Hypostasis] of Christ, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity). Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon defined this Hypostatic union of Christ’s two natures, divine and human, as “without mingling, without change, without division, without separation.” believe that at the Transfiguration He manifested not some other sort of light, but only that which was concealed beneath His fleshly exterior. This Light was the Light of the Divine Nature, and as such, it was Uncreated and Divine. also, in the teachings of the Fathers, Jesus Christ was transfigured on the Mount, taking upon Himself something new nor being changed into something new, nor something which formerly He did not possess. it was to show His disciples that which He already was, opening their eyes and bringing them from blindness to sight. For do you not see that eyes that can perceive natural things would be blind to this Light? this Light is not a light of the senses, and those contemplating it do not simply see with sensual eyes, rather they are changed by the power of the Divine Spirit. were transformed, and only in this way did they see the transformation taking place amidst the very assumption of our perishability, with the deification through union with the Word of God in place of this. also she who miraculously conceived and gave birth recognized that the One born of her is God Incarnate. it was also for Simeon, who only received this Infant into his arms, the aged Anna, coming out [from the Jerusalem Temple] for the Meeting, since the Divine Power illumined, as through a glass windowpane, giving light for those having pure eyes of heart. why did the Lord, before the beginning of the Transfiguration, choose the foremost of the Apostles and lead them up onto the Mount with Him? it was to show them something great and mysterious. is particularly great or mysterious in showing a sensory light, which not only the foremost, but all the other Apostles already abundantly possessed? would they need a transforming of their eyes by the power of the Holy Spirit for a contemplation of this Light, if it were merely sensory and created? could the Glory and the Kingdom of the Father and the Holy Spirit project forth in some sort of sensory light? in what sort of Glory and Kingdom would Christ the Lord come at the end of the ages, when there would not be necessary anything in the air, nor in expanse, nor anything similar, but when, in the words of the Apostle, “God will be all in all” (1 Cor.15: 28)? is to say, will He alter everything for all? If so, then it follows that light is included. it is clear that the Light of Tabor was a Divine Light. the Evangelist John, inspired by Divine Revelation, says clearly that the future eternal and enduring city “has no need of the sun or moon to shine upon it. For the Glory of God lights it up, and the Lamb will be its lamp” (Rev 21:23). it not clear, that he points out here that this [Lamb] is Jesus, Who is divinely transfigured now upon Tabor, and the flesh of Whom shines, is the lamp manifesting the Glory of divinity for those ascending the mountain with Him? the Theologian also says about the inhabitants of this city: “they will not need light from lamps, nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shed light upon them, and night shall be no more” (Rev 22:5). how, we might ask, is there this other light, in which “there is no change, nor shadow of alteration” (Jas 1:17)? light is there that is constant and unsetting, unless it be the Light of God? could Moses and Elias (and particularly the former, who clearly was present only in spirit, and not in flesh [Elias having ascended bodily to Heaven on the fiery chariot]) be shining with any sort of sensory light, and be seen and known? since it was written of them: “they appeared in glory, and spoke of his death, which he was about to fulfill at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31). how otherwise could the Apostles recognize those whom they had never seen before, unless through the mysterious power of the Divine Light, opening their mental eyes? let us not tire our attention with the furthermost interpretations of the words of the Gospel. shall believe thus, as those same ones have taught us, who themselves were enlightened by the Lord Himself, insofar as they alone know this well: Mysteries of God, in the words of a prophet, are known to God alone and His perpetual proximity. us, considering the Mystery of the Transfiguration of the Lord in accord with their teaching, strive to be illumined by this Light ourselves encourage in ourselves love and striving towards the Unfading Glory and Beauty, our spiritual eyes of worldly thoughts and refraining from perishable and quickly passing delights and beauty which darken the garb of the soul and lead to the fire of Gehenna and everlasting darkness. us be freed from these by the illumination and knowledge of the incorporeal and ever-existing Light of our Savior transfigured on Tabor, in His Glory, and of His Father from all eternity, and His Life-Creating Spirit, Whom are One Radiance, One Godhead, and Glory, and Kingdom, and Power now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Rome, 33, Holy Transfiguration, Tabor, Orthodox d light focus, Jesus d light, 6days&8, 6people&8, Spiritual 8th day Church
Galilee, 33, Holy Transfiguration, Tabor, Orthodox d light focus, Jesus d light, 6days&8, 6people&8, 8th day Church, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Church of the 8th Day Mount Tabor; The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ (the Second œFeast of the Savior in August), Commemorated on August 6; on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up onto a high mountain by themselves” (Mt.17:1). of all we must ask, from whence does the Evangelist Matthew begin to reckon with six days? From what sort of day is it? What does the preceding turn of speech indicate, where the Savior, in teaching His disciples, said to them: “For the Son of Man shall come with his angels in the glory of His Father,” further: “Amen I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death, until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Mt.16:27-28)? is to say, it is the Light of His own forthcoming Transfiguration which He terms the Glory of His Father and of His Kingdom. Evangelist Luke points this out and reveals this more clearly saying: “Now it came to pass about eight days after these words, that He took Peter and John and James, and went up the mountain to pray. as He prayed, His countenance was altered, and His raiment became a radiant white” (Luke 9:28-29). how can the two be reconciled, when one of them speaks definitively about the interval of time as being eight days between the sayings and the manifestation, whereas the other (says): “after six days?” were eight on the mountain, but only six were visible. Three, Peter, James and John, had come up with Jesus, and they saw Moses and Elias standing there and conversing with Him, so altogether there were six of them. the Father and the Holy Spirit were invisibly with the Lord: the Father, with His Voice testifying that this was His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit shining forth with Him in the radiant cloud. the six are actually eight, and there is no contradiction regarding the eight. there is no contradiction with the Evangelists when one says “after six days,” and the other says “eight days after these words.” these twofold sayings as it were present is a certain format set in mystery, and together with it that of those actually present upon the Mount. stands to reason, and everyone rationally studying in accordance with Scripture knows that the Evangelists are in agreement one with another. spoke of eight days without contradicting Matthew, who declared “after six days.” There is not another day added on to represent the day on which these sayings were uttered, nor is the day on which the Lord was transfigured added on (which a rational person might reasonably imagine to be added to the days of Matthew). Evangelist Luke does not say “after eight days” (like the Evangelist Matthew says “after six days”), but rather “it came to pass eight days after these words.” where the Evangelists seem to contradict one another, they actually point out to us something great and mysterious. In actual fact, why did the one say “after six days,” but the other, in ignoring the seventh day, have in mind the eighth day? is because the great vision of the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is the mystery of the Eighth Day, i.e., of the future age, coming to be revealed after the passing away of the world created in six days. the power of the Divine Spirit, through Whom the Kingdom of God is to be revealed, the Lord predicted: “There are some standing here who shall not taste death, until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Mt.16:28). and in every way the King will be present, and everywhere will be His Kingdom, since the advent of His Kingdom does not signify the passing over from one place to another, but rather the revelation of its power of the Divine Spirit. is why it is said: “come in power.” And this power is not manifest to simply ordinary people, but to those standing with the Lord, that is to say, those who have affirmed their faith in Him like Peter, James and John, and especially those who are free of our natural abasement. and precisely because of this, God manifests Himself upon the Mount, on the one hand coming down from His heights, and on the other, raising us up from the depths of abasement, since the Transcendent One takes on mortal nature. such a manifest appearance by far transcends the utmost limits of the mind’s grasp, as effectualized by the power of the Divine Spirit. the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is not something that comes to be and then vanishes, nor is it subject to the sensory faculties, although it was contemplated by corporeal eyes for a short while upon an inconsequential mountaintop. the initiates of the Mystery, (the disciples) of the Lord at this time passed beyond mere flesh into spirit through a transformation of their senses, effectualized within them by the Spirit, and in such a way that they beheld what, and to what extent, the Divine Spirit had wrought blessedness in them to behold the Ineffable Light. not grasping this point have conjectured that the chosen from among the Apostles beheld the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord by a sensual and creaturely faculty, and through this they attempt to reduce to a creaturely level (i.e., as something “created”) not only this Light, the Kingdom and the Glory of God, but also the Power of the Divine Spirit, through Whom it is meet for Divine Mysteries to be revealed. all likelihood, such persons have not heeded the words of the Apostle Paul: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him. But to us God has revealed them through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Cor.2:9-10). with the onset of the Eighth Day, the Lord, taking Peter, James and John, went up on the Mount to pray. always prayed alone, withdrawing from everyone, even from the Apostles themselves, as for example when with five loaves and two fish He fed the five thousand men, besides women and children (Mt.14:19-23). taking with Him those who excelled others, as at the approach of His Saving Passion, when He said to the other disciples: “Sit here while I go over there and pray” (Mt.26:36). He took with Him Peter, James and John. But in our instance right here and now, having taken only these same three, the Lord led them up onto a high mountain by themselves and was transfigured before them, that is to say, before their very eyes. “What does it mean to say: He was transfigured?” asks the Golden-Mouthed Theologian (Chrysostom). answers this by saying: “It revealed something of His Divinity to them, as much and insofar as they were able to apprehend it, and it showed the indwelling of God within Him.” Evangelist Luke says: “And as He prayed, His countenance was altered” (Luke 9:29); from the Evangelist Matthew we read: “And His face shone as the sun” (Mt.17:2). the Evangelist said this, not in the context that this Light be thought of as subsistent for the senses us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses). it is to show that Christ God, for those living and contemplating by the Spirit, is the same as the sun is for those living in the flesh and contemplating by the senses. some other Light for the knowing the Divinity is not necessary for those who are enriched by Divine gifts. same Inscrutable Light shone and was mysteriously manifest to the Apostles and the foremost of the Prophets at that moment, when (the Lord) was praying. shows that what brought forth this blessed sight was prayer, that the radiance occured and was manifest by uniting the mind with God, that it is granted to all who, with constant exercise in efforts of virtue and prayer, strive with their mind towards God. beauty, essentially, can be contemplated only with a purified mind. To gaze upon its luminance assumes a sort of participation in it, as though some bright ray etches itself upon the face. the face of Moses was illumined by his association with God. Do you not know that Moses was transfigured when he went up the mountain, and there beheld the Glory of God? But he (Moses) did not effect this, but rather he underwent a transfiguration. our Lord Jesus Christ possessed that Light Himself. this regard, actually, He did not need prayer for His flesh to radiate with the Divine Light; it was but to show from whence that Light descends upon the saints of God, and how to contemplate it. it is written that even the saints “will shine forth like the sun” (Mt.13:43), is to say, entirely permeated by Divine Light as they gaze upon Christ, divinely and inexpressibly shining forth His Radiance, issuing from His Divine Nature. Mount Tabor it was manifest also in His Flesh, by reason of the Hypostatic Union (i.e., the union of the two perfect natures, divine and human, within the divine Person [Hypostasis] of Christ, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity). Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon defined this Hypostatic union of Christ’s two natures, divine and human, as “without mingling, without change, without division, without separation.” believe that at the Transfiguration He manifested not some other sort of light, but only that which was concealed beneath His fleshly exterior. This Light was the Light of the Divine Nature, and as such, it was Uncreated and Divine. also, in the teachings of the Fathers, Jesus Christ was transfigured on the Mount, taking upon Himself something new nor being changed into something new, nor something which formerly He did not possess. it was to show His disciples that which He already was, opening their eyes and bringing them from blindness to sight. For do you not see that eyes that can perceive natural things would be blind to this Light? this Light is not a light of the senses, and those contemplating it do not simply see with sensual eyes, rather they are changed by the power of the Divine Spirit. were transformed, and only in this way did they see the transformation taking place amidst the very assumption of our perishability, with the deification through union with the Word of God in place of this. also she who miraculously conceived and gave birth recognized that the One born of her is God Incarnate. it was also for Simeon, who only received this Infant into his arms, the aged Anna, coming out [from the Jerusalem Temple] for the Meeting, since the Divine Power illumined, as through a glass windowpane, giving light for those having pure eyes of heart. why did the Lord, before the beginning of the Transfiguration, choose the foremost of the Apostles and lead them up onto the Mount with Him? it was to show them something great and mysterious. is particularly great or mysterious in showing a sensory light, which not only the foremost, but all the other Apostles already abundantly possessed? would they need a transforming of their eyes by the power of the Holy Spirit for a contemplation of this Light, if it were merely sensory and created? could the Glory and the Kingdom of the Father and the Holy Spirit project forth in some sort of sensory light? in what sort of Glory and Kingdom would Christ the Lord come at the end of the ages, when there would not be necessary anything in the air, nor in expanse, nor anything similar, but when, in the words of the Apostle, “God will be all in all” (1 Cor.15: 28)? is to say, will He alter everything for all? If so, then it follows that light is included. it is clear that the Light of Tabor was a Divine Light. the Evangelist John, inspired by Divine Revelation, says clearly that the future eternal and enduring city “has no need of the sun or moon to shine upon it. For the Glory of God lights it up, and the Lamb will be its lamp” (Rev 21:23). it not clear, that he points out here that this [Lamb] is Jesus, Who is divinely transfigured now upon Tabor, and the flesh of Whom shines, is the lamp manifesting the Glory of divinity for those ascending the mountain with Him? the Theologian also says about the inhabitants of this city: “they will not need light from lamps, nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shed light upon them, and night shall be no more” (Rev 22:5). how, we might ask, is there this other light, in which “there is no change, nor shadow of alteration” (Jas 1:17)? light is there that is constant and unsetting, unless it be the Light of God? could Moses and Elias (and particularly the former, who clearly was present only in spirit, and not in flesh [Elias having ascended bodily to Heaven on the fiery chariot]) be shining with any sort of sensory light, and be seen and known? since it was written of them: “they appeared in glory, and spoke of his death, which he was about to fulfill at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31). how otherwise could the Apostles recognize those whom they had never seen before, unless through the mysterious power of the Divine Light, opening their mental eyes? let us not tire our attention with the furthermost interpretations of the words of the Gospel. shall believe thus, as those same ones have taught us, who themselves were enlightened by the Lord Himself, insofar as they alone know this well: Mysteries of God, in the words of a prophet, are known to God alone and His perpetual proximity. us, considering the Mystery of the Transfiguration of the Lord in accord with their teaching, strive to be illumined by this Light ourselves encourage in ourselves love and striving towards the Unfading Glory and Beauty, our spiritual eyes of worldly thoughts and refraining from perishable and quickly passing delights and beauty which darken the garb of the soul and lead to the fire of Gehenna and everlasting darkness. us be freed from these by the illumination and knowledge of the incorporeal and ever-existing Light of our Savior transfigured on Tabor, in His Glory, and of His Father from all eternity, and His Life-Creating Spirit, Whom are One Radiance, One Godhead, and Glory, and Kingdom, and Power now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, (6 AUGUST NT); we celebrate the occasion (recorded in M 17:1-8 = P 9:2-8 = L 9:28-36) on which Christ, He was beginning to teach His disciples that He must die and rise again, Himself in shining splendor to Peter, James, and John. and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify that the Law and the Prophets testify that Jesus is the promised Messiah. the Father also proclaimed him as such, saying, "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him." For a moment the veil is drawn aside, and men still on earth are permitted a glimpse of the heavenly reality, the glory of the Eternal Triune God. The Transfiguration, by Giovanno Lanfranco the East, the Festival of the Transfiguration has been celebrated since the late fourth century, and is one of the twelve great festivals of the East Orthodox calendar. the West it was observed after the ninth century by some monastic orders, and in 1457 Pope Callistus III ordered its general observance. the time of the Reformation, it was still felt in some countries to be a "recent innovation," and so was not immediately taken over into most Reformation calendars, but is now found on most calendars that have been revised in the twentieth century. recent tendency in the West is to commemorate the Transfiguration on the Sunday just before Lent, in accordance with the pattern found in the Synoptics, where Jesus is represented as beginning to speak of his forthcoming death just about the time of the Transfiguration, so that it forms a fitting transition between the Epiphany season, in which Christ makes himself known, and the Lenten season, in which he prepares the disciples for what lies ahead. observing the Transfiguration then will affect the observation of it on 6 August remains to be seen. The Transfiguration, from the Predis Codex FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29-35 (When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, after speaking with the LORD, the skin of his face was so radiant that the Israelites were afraid to look at him. Therefore, he wore a veil.) PSALM 99 or 99:5-9 (The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble.... Moses and Aaron and Samuel cried unto him, and he spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.) EPISTLE: 2 Peter 1:13-21 (Peter, near the end of his life, for his own strengthening and that of his readers, recalls his long-ago experience of seeing the Transfigured Christ.) THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-36 (Jesus took Peter and James and John up a mountain, and there appeared to them in shining splendor, and with Him appeared Moses and Elijah, who spoke with Him.) by James Kiefer

Rome, 33-50, Loginius, Centurion at Cross & Sepulchre & then Cappadocia, his head story
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 ; Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier, served in Judea under the command of the Governor, Pontius Pilate. our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified, it was the detachment of soldiers under the command of Longinus which stood watch on Golgotha, at the very foot of the holy Cross. and his soldiers were eyewitnesses of the final moments of the earthly life of the Lord, and of the great and awesome portents that appeared at His death. events shook the centurion’s soul. Longinus believed in Christ and confessed before everyone, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54). to Church Tradition, Longinus was the soldier who pierced the side of the Crucified Savior with a spear, and received healing from an eye affliction when blood and water poured forth from the wound. the Crucifixion and Burial of the Savior, Longinus stood watch with his company at the Sepulchre of the Lord. soldiers were present at the All-Radiant Resurrection of Christ. The Jews bribed them to lie and say that His disciples had stolen away the Body of Christ, but Longinus and two of his comrades refused to be seduced by the Jewish gold. They also refused to remain silent about the miracle of the Resurrection. come to believe in the Savior, the soldiers received Baptism from the apostles and decided to leave military service. Longinus left Judea to preach about Jesus Christ the Son of God in his native land (Cappadocia), and his two comrades followed him. fiery words of those who had actually participated in the great events in Judea swayed the hearts and minds of the Cappadocians; Christianity began quickly to spread throughout the city and the surrounding villages. they learned of this, the Jewish elders persuaded Pilate to send a company of soldiers to Cappadocia to kill Longinus and his comrades. When the soldiers arrived at Longinus’s village, the former centurion himself came out to meet the soldiers and took them to his home. After a meal, the soldiers revealed the purpose of their visit, not knowing that the master of the house was the very man whom they were seeking. Then Longinus and his friends identified themselves and told the startled soldiers to carry out their duty. soldiers wanted to let the saints go and advised them to flee, but they refused to do this, showing their firm intention to suffer for Christ. holy martyrs were beheaded, and their bodies were buried at the place where the saints were martyred. The head of Saint Longinus, however, was sent to Pilate. gave orders to cast the martyr’s head on a trash-heap outside the city walls. After a while a certain blind widow from Cappadocia arrived in Jerusalem with her son to pray at the holy places, and to ask that her sight be restored. After becoming blind, she had sought the help of physicians to cure her, but all their efforts were in vain. woman’s son became ill shortly after reaching Jerusalem, and he died a few days later. The widow grieved for the loss of her son, who had served as her guide. Longinus appeared to her in a dream and comforted her. He told her that she would see her son in heavenly glory, and also receive her sight. He told her to go outside the city walls and there she would find his head in a great pile of refuse. led the blind woman to the rubbish heap, and she began to dig with her hands. As soon as she touched the martyr’s head, the woman received her sight, and she glorified God and Saint Longinus. up the head, she brought it to the place she was staying and washed it. next night, Saint Longinus appeared to her again, this time with her son. They were surrounded by a bright light, and Saint Longinus said, “Woman, behold the son for whom you grieve. See what glory and honor are his now, and be consoled. God has numbered him with those in His heavenly Kingdom. Now take my head and your son’s body, and bury them in the same casket. Do not weep for your son, for he will rejoice forever in great glory and happiness.” woman carried out the saint’s instructions and returned to her home in Cappadocia. There she buried her son and the head of Saint Longinus. Once, she had been overcome by grief for her son, but her weeping was transformed into joy when she saw him with Saint Longinus. She had sought healing for her eyes, and also received healing of her soul.

Rome, 34, Lydda Icon, Diospolis, new church, Peter&Johnl, go there I will be with you, Roman Icon
Palestine, 34, Lydda Icon, Diospolis; Lydda or Lod or Diospolis; St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, Commemorated October 25 ; Icon œNot Made by Hands from Lydda, Commemorated on March 12; wonderworking Lydda Icon is mentioned in the service for the Kazan Icon (July 8 & October 22) in the third Ode of the Canon. to Tradition, the Apostles Peter and John were preaching in Lydda (later called Diospolis) near Jerusalem. There they built a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, then went to Jerusalem and asked her to come and sanctify the church by her presence. She sent them back to Lydda and said, “Go in peace, and I shall be there with you.” at Lydda, they found an icon of the Virgin imprinted in color on the wall of the church (some sources say the image was on a pillar). Then the Mother of God appeared and rejoiced at the number of people who had gathered there. She blessed the icon and gave it the power to work miracles. This icon was not made by the hand of man, but by a divine power. the Apostate (reigned 361-363) heard about the icon and tried to eradicate it. Masons with sharp tools chipped away at the image, but the paint and lines just seemed to penetrate deeper into the stone. Those whom the emperor had sent were unable to destroy the icon. As word of this miracle spread, millions of people came to venerate the icon. the eighth century, Saint Germanus, the future Patriarch of Constantinople (May 12) passed through Lydda. He had a copy of the icon made, and sent it to Rome during the iconoclastic controversy. It was placed in the church of Saint Peter, and was the source of many healings. In 842, the reproduction was returned to Constantinople and was known as the Roman Icon (June 26). oldest sources of information for the Lydda Icon are a document attributed to Saint Andrew of Crete in 726, a letter written by three eastern Patriarchs to the iconoclast emperor Theophilus in 839, and a work of George the Monk in 886. The icon still existed as late as the ninth century. Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe Roman, Commemorated on June 26; Story wonderworking Lydda Icon is mentioned in the service for the Kazan Icon (July 8 & October 22) in the third Ode of the Canon. to Tradition, the Apostles Peter and John were preaching in Lydda (later called Diospolis) near Jerusalem. There they built a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, then went to Jerusalem and asked her to come and sanctify the church by her presence. She sent them back to Lydda and said, “Go in peace, and I shall be there with you.” at Lydda, they found an icon of the Virgin imprinted in color on the wall of the church (some sources say the image was on a pillar). Then the Mother of God appeared and rejoiced at the number of people who had gathered there. She blessed the icon and gave it the power to work miracles. This icon was not made by the hand of man, but by a divine power. the Apostate (reigned 361-363) heard about the icon and tried to eradicate it. Masons with sharp tools chipped away at the image, but the paint and lines just seemed to penetrate deeper into the stone. Those whom the emperor had sent were unable to destroy the icon. As word of this miracle spread, millions of people came to venerate the icon. the eighth century, Saint Germanus, the future Patriarch of Constantinople (May 12) passed through Lydda. He had a copy of the icon made, and sent it to Rome during the iconoclastic controversy. It was placed in the church of Saint Peter, and was the source of many healings. In 842, the reproduction was returned to Constantinople and was known as the Roman Icon (June 26). oldest sources of information for the Lydda Icon are a document attributed to Saint Andrew of Crete in 726, a letter written by three eastern Patriarchs to the iconoclast emperor Theophilus in 839, and a work of George the Monk in 886. icon still existed as late as the ninth century. The Lydda Icon of the Mother of God is also commemorated on March 12.

Rome, 34-63,Matthias,replaced Judas,studied u Simeon,many places,Survived poison, invisible, enemies engulfed, crucified
Jerusalem, 34-63, Matthias, Apostle, from Bethlehem, Judea, replaced Judas, studied under Simeon, preached in Jerusalem, Antioch, Tianum, Sinope, Amasea, Edessa, Sebaste, Pontine Ethiopia Georgia, Macedonia, Survived poison, left prison invisible, enemies engulfed by earth, crucified; Bethlehem; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on 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. Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them. 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. 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. 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.

Rome, 35-101, Clement of Rome, Corinthian Letter, great story, sea moves 3 mi one day, for 700yr, Rus baptism
Rome, 35-101, Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, sermon II Clement, anchor, rich, unsatisfied, heard about christ, went to Alexandria, Barnabas, Palestine, Peter, Bishop of Rome, 424 conversions one day, banishment to Cherson by Trajan, stone quarry, prayed for water, lamb revealed spring, hundreds converted each day, church, ordered drowned with anchor in 101, prayer to see his body, sea drew back 3 miles, marble cave angelic church, each year sea would withdraw on that date, till 805, 50 year hiatis, 855 began again, taken to Rome by Cyril and Methodius, later to Kiev by Vladimir, Baptism of the Rus; Clement I (died 99), also known as Saint Clement of Rome, is listed by Irenaeus and Tertullian as the fourth bishop of Rome, holding office from 88 AD to his death in 99 AD.[2] He is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church, one of the three chief ones together with Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch.[3] details are known about Clement's life. Clement was said to have been consecrated by Peter the Apostle,[3] and he is known to have been a leading member of the church in Rome in the late 1st century. Early church lists place him as the second or third[2][a] bishop of Rome after Peter. The Liber Pontificalis states that Clement died in Greece in the third year of Emperor Trajan's reign, or 101 AD. only genuine extant writing is his letter to the church at Corinth (1 Clement) in response to a dispute in which certain presbyters of the Corinthian church had been deposed.[2] He asserted the authority of the presbyters as rulers of the church on the ground that the Apostles had appointed such.[2] His letter, which is one of the oldest extant Christian documents outside the New Testament, was read in church, along with other epistles, some of which later became part of the Christian canon. These works were the first to affirm the apostolic authority of the clergy.[2] A second epistle, 2 Clement, was once controversially attributed to Clement, although recent scholarship suggests it to be a homily by another author.[2] In the legendary Clementine literature, Clement is the intermediary through whom the apostles teach the church.[2] to tradition, Clement was imprisoned under the Emperor Trajan; during this time he is recorded to have led a ministry among fellow prisoners. Thereafter he was executed by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea.[2] Clement is recognized as a saint in many Christian churches and is considered a patron saint of mariners. He is commemorated on 23 November in the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and the Lutheran Church. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity his feast is kept on 24 or 25 November. Rome; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100) ; is counted as the third bishop of Rome (after the apostles). predecessors are Linus and Cletus (or Anacletus, or Anencletus), about whom almost nothing is known. They are simply names on a list. is a little more than this, chiefly because he wrote a letter to the Corinthians, which was highly valued by the early church, and has been preserved to the present day. The letter itself does not carry his name, but is merely addressed from the congregation at Rome to the congregation at Corinth. a letter from Corinth to Rome a few decades later refers to "the letter we received from your bishop Clement, which we still read regularly." early writers are unanimous in attributing the letter to Clement. Perhaps because this letter made his name familiar, he has had an early anonymous sermon (commonly called II Clement) attributed to him, and is a character in some early religious romances (e.g. the Clementine Recognitions). story about Clement is that he was put to death by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea. Accordingly, he is often depicted with an anchor, and many churches in port towns intended to minister chiefly to mariners are named for him. Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians (also called I Clement) can be found in collections of the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, such as the Penguin Paperback Early Christian Writings, translated by Maxwell Staniforth. letter is commonly dated around 96 AD, but an earlier date is suggested by John Robinson in his Redating the New Testament. letter is occasioned by the fact that a group of Christians at Corinth had banded together against their leaders and had deposed them from office. Clement writes to tell them that they have behaved badly, and to remind them of the importance of Christian unity and love. speaks at length of the way in which each kind of official in the church has his own function for the good of the whole. The letter is an important witness to the early Christian understanding of Church government, but an ambiguous witness in that we are never told precisely why the Corinthians had deposed their leaders, and therefore the letter can be read as saying that presbyters ought not to be deposed without reasonable grounds, or as saying that they cannot be deposed on any grounds at all. letter refers only to the presbyters of Corinth, and makes no reference to the bishop of Corinth. Moreover, there is no mention of a bishop at Rome--the letter is sent as from the Church at Rome collectively, and Clement's name does not appear. this, some have inferred that the office of bishop had not yet developed at either Rome or Corinth, and that in both congregations the office of presbyter was the highest office known. probable alternate explanation, however, is that the troubles in Corinth had arisen when the bishop of that congregation had died, and the congregation had split into factions, none containing both a majority of the presbyters and a majority of the congregation. letter makes no apology for intervening in what might be thought an internal affair of the congregation at Corinth. On the contrary, the writer apologizes for the delay in commenting, as if an earlier intervention might have been expected. this, some have inferred that, even at this early date (96 AD or, some think, earlier), when the Apostle John was perhaps still alive, the authority and jurisdiction of the Roman congregation over every other congregation of the Christian Church was already universally conceded. a perfectly reasonable alternative explanation is that the congregation at Corinth, torn by division, had agreed to settle their disputes by inviting another congregation, or the head of another congregation, to act as arbitrator. would be a reasonable thing to do, and the choice of Rome as that congregation was natural, partly because of the prestige of the city, and the prestige of one of the largest congregations in the Church, and because the Corinth of Clement's day had been built as a Roman colony, with a special dependence directly on the city of Rome (a civil relation that might affect the habits of thought of the Corinthians on matters ecclestiastical as well), but also because Rome was far enough away so that it could be assumed to be impartial and not affected by local personalities. Clement's Letter to the Corinthians: the one truly possessed by the love of Christ keep his commandments. Who can express the binding power of divine love? Who can find words for the splendor of its beauty? Beyond all description are the heights to which it lifts us. Love unites us to God; "it cancels innumerable sins," has no limits to its endurance, bears everything patiently. Love is neither servile nor arrogant. It does not provoke schisms or form cliques, but always acts in harmony with others. By it all God's chosen ones have been sanctified; without it, it is impossible to please him. Out of love the Lord took us to himself; because he loved us and it was God's will, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life's blood for us -- he gave his body for our body, his soul for our soul. then, beloved, what a great and wonderful thing love is, and how inexpressible its perfection. Who are worthy to possess it unless God makes them so? To him therefore we must turn, begging of his mercy that there may be found in us a love free from human partiality and beyond reproach. Every generation from Adam's time to ours has passed away; but those who by God's grace were made perfect in love and have a dwelling now among the saints, and when at last the kingdom of Christ appears, they will be revealed. "Take shelter in your rooms for a little while," says Scripture, "until my wrath subsides. Then I will remember the good days, and will raise you from your graves." are we, beloved, if love enables us to live in harmony and in the observance of God's commandments, for then it will also gain for us the remission of our sins. Scripture pronounces "happy those whose transgressions are pardoned, whose sins are forgiven. Happy the one," it says, "to whom the Lord imputes no fault, on whose lips there is no guile." This is the blessing given those whom God has chosen through Jesus Christ our Lord. To him be glory for ever and ever. * * * * us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world. we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has "offered the opportunity of repentance" to any who were willing to turn to him. When Noah preached God's message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God's forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God's people. the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the ministers of God's grace have spoken of repentance; indeed, the Master of the whole universe himself spoke of repentance with an oath: "As I live," says the Lord, "I do not wish the death of the sinner but the sinner's repentance." He added this evidence of his goodness: "House of Israel, repent of your wickedness. Tell my people: If their sins should reach from earth to heaven, if they are brighter than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, you need only turn to me with your whole heart and say, `Father,' and I will listen to you as to a holy people." other words, God wanted all his beloved ones to have the opportunity to repent and he confirmed this desire by his own almighty will. That is why we should obey his sovereign and glorious will and prayerfully entreat his mercy and kindness. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarreling and jealousy which only lead to death. should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride, and foolish anger. Rather, we should act in accordance with the Scriptures, as the Holy Spirit says: "The wise must not glory in wisdom nor the strong in strength nor the rich in riches. Rather, let the one who glories glory in the Lord, by seeking him and doing what is right and just." Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance. "Be merciful," he said, "so that you may have mercy shown to you. Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you treat others, so you will be treated. As you give, so you will receive. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you are kind to others, so you will be treated kindly. The measure of your giving will be the measure of your receiving." these commandments and precepts strengthen us to live in humble obedience to his sacred words. As Scripture asks: "Whom shall I look upon with favor except the humble, peaceful one who trembles at my words?" then in the heritage of so many vast and glorious achievements, let us hasten toward the goal of peace, set before us from the beginning. Let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and hold fast to his splendid and transcendent gifts of peace and all his blessings. by James Kiefer Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome, was born at Rome into a rich and illustrious family. from his parents from childhood by force of circumstances, Clement was raised by strangers. in Rome, the youth received a fine education, he was surrounded by luxury, and had access to the imperial court. But these comforts brought him no joy, and pagan wisdom failed to attract him. He began to ponder the meaning of life. the news of Christ and His teaching began to reach the capital, Saint Clement left his home and estate and went to the lands where the Apostles were preaching. Alexandria Saint Clement met the holy Apostle Barnabas, listening to his words with deep attention, and perceiving the power and truth of the Word of God. in Palestine, Saint Clement was baptized by the holy Apostle Peter and became his zealous disciple and constant companion, sharing his toil and sufferings with him. Shortly before his own sufferings and death, Saint Peter consecrated Saint Clement as Bishop of Rome. the death of the Apostle Peter, Saint Linus (67-79) was the next Bishop of Rome, succeeded by Saint Anacletus (79-91), and then Saint Clement (92-101). virtuous life, charitable works and prayerful activity of Saint Clement converted many to Christ. He once baptized 424 people on the day of Pascha. Among the baptized were people of all social classes: slaves, officials, and even members of the imperial family. pagans, seeing the success of his apostolic preaching, denounced Saint Clement to the emperor Trajan (98-117), accusing the saint of insulting the pagan gods. The emperor banished Saint Clement from the capital, sending him to the Crimea, to work at a stone quarry near the city of Cherson. Many of the saint’s disciples followed after him voluntarily, preferring to go into exile rather than live without their spiritual Father. he arrived at the place of exile, Saint Clement found many Christian believers there, sentenced to labor under harsh conditions amidst a scarcity of water. prayed together with the condemned, and the Lord appeared to him in the form of a lamb and revealed the location of a spring, from which gushed forth a veritable river of water. miracle attracted a multitude of people to Saint Clement. Hearing the zealous preacher, hundreds of pagans were converted to Christ. Each day 500 or more men were baptized. And there in the stone quarry, a church was built, in which he served as priest. apostolic activity of the saint aroused the wrath of the emperor Trajan, and he ordered that Saint Clement be drowned. They threw the martyr into the sea with an anchor tied to his neck. This occurred in the year 101. saint’s faithful disciples Cornelius and Fibius asked the people to pray that the Lord would permit them to see the martyr’s body. The sea drew back a distance of three miles from the shore and the people walked out on the seabed until they found a marble cave shaped like a church. they found the incorrupt body of their archpastor in this “Angelic Church” formed by God. After this, each year on the anniversary of Saint Clement’s martyric death the sea receded, and for seven days Christians were able to venerate his holy relics. the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Nikēphóros (802-811), by divine providence, the sea failed to withdraw, and the relics of Saint Clement became inaccessible for fifty years. the time of the emperor Michael and his mother Theodora (855-867), Saints Cyril and Methodius visited Cherson. When they learned of the concealed relics of Saint Clement, they asked Bishop George of Cherson to pray that the Lord would show them the relics of the hieromartyr. Cyril and Methodius walked along the shore in procession with the clergy who came with them from Constantinople. Through the fervent prayers of everyone gathered there, the holy relics of Saint Clement miraculously appeared on the surface of the sea at midnight. They solemnly took them to the Church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople. portion of the relics were then brought to Rome by Saints Cyril and Methodius, a large portion of the relics was later brought to Kiev by the holy Prince Vladimir (July 15) and placed in the Desyatin-Tithe church, together with the relics of Saint Fibius, where a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement had been built. hieromartyr Clement is widely venerated in Russia. From ancient times, many churches have been dedicated to him. Clement, who belongs to the Apostolic Fathers, has left to us a spiritual legacy (two Epistles to the Corinthians) the first written examples of Christian teaching after the writings of the holy Apostles.

Rome, 37-41, Emperor, Caius Caligua, Pagan, sadist, sex pervert, aquaduct construction, assainated
Rome, 37-41, Roman Emperor, Caius Caligua; (31 August 12 AD – 24 January 41 AD), formally known as Gaius (Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus), was the third Roman emperor, ruling from AD 37 to 41. The son of the popular Roman general Germanicus and Augustus's granddaughter Agrippina the Elder, Caligula was born into the first ruling family of the Roman Empire, conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. uncle and adoptive father, Tiberius, succeeded Augustus as emperor of Rome in AD 14. Although Gaius was named after Gaius Julius Caesar, he acquired the nickname "Caligula" (meaning little [soldier's] boot) from his father's soldiers during their campaign in Germania. Germanicus died at Antioch in 19, Agrippina returned with her six children to Rome, where she became entangled in a bitter feud with Tiberius. conflict eventually led to the destruction of her family, with Caligula as the sole male survivor. by the deadly intrigues, Caligula accepted an invitation in 31 to join the emperor on the island of Capri, where Tiberius had withdrawn five years earlier. Following the death of Tiberius, Caligula succeeded his adoptive grandfather as emperor in 37. are few surviving sources about the reign of Caligula, though he is described as a noble and moderate emperor during the first six months of his rule. this, the sources focus upon his cruelty, sadism, extravagance, and sexual perversion, presenting him as an insane tyrant. While the reliability of these sources is questionable, it is known that his brief reign, Caligula worked to increase the unconstrained personal power of the emperor, as opposed to countervailing powers within the principate. directed much of his attention to ambitious construction projects and luxurious dwellings for himself, and initiated the construction of two aqueducts in Rome: the Aqua Claudia and the Anio Novus. During his reign, the empire annexed the client kingdom of Mauretania as a province. early 41, Caligula was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy by officers of the Praetorian Guard, senators, and courtiers. The conspirators' attempt to use the opportunity to restore the Roman Republic was thwarted, however. On the day of the assassination of Caligula, the Praetorians declared Caligula's uncle, Claudius, the next Roman emperor. Although the Julio-Claudian dynasty continued to rule the empire until the fall of his nephew Nero in 68, Caligula's death marked the official end of the Julii Caesares in the male line. The Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, Commemorated on August 29;

Rome, 38-43, Arab Icon, Appeared to Apostle Thomas, 3 circles instead of 3 stars
Arabs, 38-43, Arab Icon, Appeared to Apostle Thomas; Arapet, or “Arabian” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared while the holy Apostle Thomas (October 6) was evangelizing Ethiopia, Arabia, and India. of the usual three stars (signifying the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God), the outer garment of the Theotokos has three circles with the head of an angel inside each one. In this feature, it resembles the icons “In Giving Birth you Preserved your Virginity” (“A Virgin Before and After Giving Birth”) (October 17) and “O All-Hymned Mother” (October 6). East Africa, 1st Century, Apostle Thomas; the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus' resurrection when first told of it (as related in the Gospel of John alone); later, he confessed his faith ("My Lord and my God") on seeing Jesus' crucifixion wounds. to traditional accounts of the Saint Thomas Christians of modern-day Kerala in India, Thomas is believed to have travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, travelling as far as the Tamilakam which is in South India.[1][5][6][7] According to their tradition, Thomas reached Muziris of Tamilakam (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala State, India) in AD 52.[8][9][1] In 1258, some of the relics were brought to Ortona, in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle.[10] He is often regarded as the patron saint of India among its Christian adherents,[11][12] and the Feast of Saint Thomas on July 3 is celebrated as Indian Christian Day by believers belonging to many Christian denominations.[13][14] The name Thomas remains quite popular among the Saint Thomas Christians of the Indian subcontinent. Arapet Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on September 6; Arapet, or “Arabian” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared while the holy Apostle Thomas (October 6) was evangelizing Ethiopia, Arabia, and India. of the usual three stars (signifying the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God), the outer garment of the Theotokos has three circles with the head of an angel inside each one. In this feature, it resembles the icons “In Giving Birth you Preserved your Virginity” (“A Virgin Before and After Giving Birth”) (October 17) and “O All-Hymned Mother” (October 6). Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6; Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.” icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

Rome, 40, LYDIA, DORCAS & PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, Joppa (Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Yarkon River Mouth, Way of the Sea 7)
Palestine, 40, LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, Joppa, Palestine (Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Yarkon River Mouth, Way of the Sea 7); was an early disciple of Jesus mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles[1][2] (Acts 9:36-43, see discussion here). lived in the port city of Joppa, today absorbed by Tel Aviv. Acts describes her as being known for her "good works and acts of mercy", sewing clothes for the poor.[3][4] she died, the widows of her community mourned her and sent urgently for Peter (Acts 9:38), who was in nearby Lydda. As evidence of her charity, they showed him some of the clothes she had sewn, and according to the biblical account he raised her from the dead.[5] Joppa, now Jaffa, 1 Maccabees Ch 10-15; LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, 27 JAN. NT ; (or Tabitha in Aramaic -- both names mean "gazelle") is mentioned in Acts 9:36-42. was a member of the early Christian community in Joppa, a seacoast town of Israel, and noted for her acts of charity, in particular for making garments and giving them to needy widows. she fell ill and died, Peter came to see her, and raised her to life. words to her, "Tabitha, kumi," (Tabitha, arise), are reminiscent of the words of Jesus to the daughter of Jairus, "Talitha, kumi," (little girl, arise) as given in Mark 5:41. this is anything more than coincidence is hard to say. If the Aramaic words of Jesus had been quoted by Luke rather than by Mark, one might suppose that Luke was underscoring a resemblance between the two episodes (the reader is invited to look up both stories, the former in M 9:18-26 = P 5:22-43 = L 41-56 and the latter in A 9:36-42). As it is, I am not sure that Luke (or Peter, presumably Mark's source for his account) intends a connection. by James Kiefer

Rome, 40-50, Marcellus, Hieromartyr, Sicily, Southern Italy, disciple of Peter, Bishop, death for spreading faith of Christ
Sicily, 40-50, Marcellus, Hieromartyr, Sicily, Southern Italy, disciple of Peter, Bishop, death for spreading faith of Christ; Sicily; Hieromartyr Marcellus the Bishop of Sicily, Commemorated on February 9; Hieromartyrs Marcellus, Philagrius and Pancratius were disciples of the holy Apostle Peter and were made bishops by him: Marcellus of Sicily, of Cyprus, Pancratius of Taormina. were put to death for spreading the faith of Christ among the pagans.

Rome, 40-50, Pancratius, disciple of Peter, Antioch native, Pontus cave, Bishop of Taormina in Sicily
Sicily, 40-50, First Century Saint Pancratius, disciple of Peter, Antioch native, Bishop of Taormina in Sicily; 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.

Rome, 40-75, Apollinarius the Bishop of Ravenna, Iraneous' blind son, Tribune's wife, Boniface's speech
Ravenna; Hieromartyr Apollinarius the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Apollinaris was a disciple of the Apostle Peter, whom he followed from Antioch to Rome sometime during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius (41-54). Saint Peter appointed Apollinaris as Bishop of Ravenna. Arriving in Ravenna as a stranger, Saint Apollinaris asked shelter of a local inhabitant, the soldier Irenaeus, and during their conversation he revealed the purpose for which he had come. had a blind son, whom Saint Apollinaris healed, after he had prayed to the Lord. The soldier Irenaeus and his family were the first people in Ravenna to believe in Christ. The saint stayed at the house of Irenaeus and preached about Christ to everyone who wished to hear his words. One of the miracles that Saint Apollinaris performed was the healing of Thekla, the incurably sick wife of the tribune. Through the prayers of the saint, she got up from her bed completely healthy. Not only did she believe in Christ, but so did her husband the tribune. In their house Saint Apollinaris set up a small church, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Saint Apollinaris ordained two presbyters, Aderetus and Calocyrus, and also two deacons for the newly-baptized people of Ravenna. Apollinaris labored with great zeal, preaching the Gospel at Ravenna for twelve years, and the number of Christians steadily increased. Pagan priests complained about the bishop to the governor Saturninus. The hierarch was brought to trial and subjected to grievous tortures. Thinking that he had died, the torturers took him out of the city to the seacoast and threw him into the water. The saint, however, was still alive. A certain pious Christian widow helped him and gave him shelter in her home. Saint Apollinaris stayed with her for six months, and secretly continued to preach about Christ. The saint’s whereabouts became known when he restored the power of speech to an illustrious resident of the city named Boniface, whose wife had requested the saint to help her husband. this miracle many pagans were converted to Christ, and once again Saint Apollinaris was brought to trial and tortured. His bare feet were placed on red-hot coals. They expelled him from the city a second time, but the Lord again kept him alive. The saint did not cease preaching until he left the city. For a certain time Saint Apollinaris found himself elsewhere in Italy, where he continued to preach the Gospel as before. Returning to his flock in Ravenna, Saint Apollinaris went on trial yet again and was sentenced to banishment. heavy fetters, he was placed on a ship bound for Illyrica and the Danube River. Two soldiers were responsible for escorting him to his place of exile. Three of the clergy voluntarily followed their bishop into exile. Along the way the vessel was wrecked and everyone drowned, except for Saint Apollinaris, his clergy and the two soldiers. The soldiers, listening to Saint Apollinaris, believed in the Lord and were baptized. Not finding any shelter, the travelers came to Moisia in Thrace, where Saint Apollinaris healed a certain illustrious inhabitant from leprosy. Both he and his companions were given shelter at the man’s home. In this land Saint Apollinaris preached tirelessly about Christ and he converted many of the pagans to Christianity, for which he was subjected to persecution by the unbelievers. They beat the saint mercilessly, then they sent him back to Italy aboard a ship. a three year absence, Saint Apollinaris returned to Ravenna and was joyfully received by his flock. The pagans, however, entered the church where the saint was serving the Divine Liturgy, scattered those at prayer, and dragged the saint before the idolatrous priests at the pagan temple of Apollo. The idol fell and shattered to pieces just as the saint was brought in. The pagan priests brought Saint Apollinaris to Taurus, the new governor of the district for trial. Apollinaris performed a new miracle, healing the son of the governor, who had been blind from birth. In gratitude for the healing of his son, Taurus tried to protect Saint Apollinaris from the angry crowd. He sent him to his own estate outside the city. Although Taurus’s wife and son were baptized, he feared the anger of the emperor, and did not receive Baptism. However, he was filled with gratitude and love toward his benefactor. Apollinaris lived for five years at Taurus’s estate and preached without hindrance. During this time pagan priests sent letters of denunciation to Emperor Vespasian requesting a sentence of death or exile for the Christian “sorcerer” Apollinaris. But the emperor told the pagan priests that the gods were sufficiently powerful to take revenge for themselves, if they felt insulted. All the wrath of the pagans fell upon Saint Apollinaris: they seized him and beat him fiercely as he was leaving the city for a nearby settlement. Christians found him barely alive and took him to the settlement, where he lived for seven days. During his final illness the saint did not cease to teach his flock. He predicted that after the persecutions ended, Christians would enter upon better times when they could openly and freely confess their faith. After bestowing his archpastoral blessing upon those present, the hieromartyr Apollinaris fell asleep in the Lord. Saint Apollinaris was Bishop of Ravenna for twenty-eight years, and he reposed in the year 75.

Rome, 40-75, Hieromartyr Apollinarius of Ravenna, Peter's disciple, Antioch to Rome to, healed many for safe church
Northern Italy, 40-75, Hieromartyr Apollinarius of Ravenna, Northern Italy (Candiano Canal, Reno River Mouth), Peter's disciple, from Antioch to Rome, healed soldier Irenius' blind son, healed incurable Thekla tribune's wife, church in their house, 2 presbyters, 2 deacons, 12yrs, tortured left for dead, saved from water by widow, 6mos, healed Boniface speech, tortured red hot coals, elsewhere in italy, banished from Ravenna again, ship to Illyrica and Danube, shipwreck all drowned except his group, soldiers believed, Thrace healed illustrious of leprosy, shelter in his home, tortured back to Italy, Ravenna after 3yrs, dragged temple, Apollo to pieces, brought to Taurus, healed gov's son, 5yrs his estate, Pagan letters to Vespasian, gods sufficiently powerful, beaten, lived 7 days settlement, predicted end persecutions ; Ravenna; Hieromartyr Apollinarius the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Apollinaris was a disciple of the Apostle Peter, he followed from Antioch to Rome sometime during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius (41-54). Peter appointed Apollinaris as Bishop of Ravenna. in Ravenna as a stranger, Saint Apollinaris asked shelter of a local inhabitant, the soldier Irenaeus, and during their conversation he revealed the purpose for which he had come. had a blind son, whom Saint Apollinaris healed, after he had prayed to the Lord. soldier Irenaeus and his family were the first people in Ravenna to believe in Christ. saint stayed at the house of Irenaeus and preached about Christ to everyone who wished to hear his words. of the miracles that Saint Apollinaris performed was the healing of Thekla, the incurably sick wife of the tribune. Through the prayers of the saint, she got up from her bed completely healthy. only did she believe in Christ, but so did her husband the tribune. their house Saint Apollinaris set up a small church, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Saint Apollinaris ordained two presbyters, Aderetus and Calocyrus, and also two deacons for the newly-baptized people of Ravenna. Apollinaris labored with great zeal, preaching the Gospel at Ravenna for twelve years, and the number of Christians steadily increased. priests complained about the bishop to the governor Saturninus. The hierarch was brought to trial and subjected to grievous tortures. that he had died, the torturers took him out of the city to the seacoast and threw him into the water. saint, however, was still alive. A certain pious Christian widow helped him and gave him shelter in her home. Saint Apollinaris stayed with her for six months, and secretly continued to preach about Christ. saint’s whereabouts became known when he restored the power of speech to an illustrious resident of the city named Boniface, whose wife had requested the saint to help her husband. this miracle many pagans were converted to Christ, and once again Saint Apollinaris was brought to trial and tortured. bare feet were placed on red-hot coals. expelled him from the city a second time, but the Lord again kept him alive. The saint did not cease preaching until he left the city. a certain time Saint Apollinaris found himself elsewhere in Italy, where he continued to preach the Gospel as before. to his flock in Ravenna, Saint Apollinaris went on trial yet again and was sentenced to banishment. heavy fetters, he was placed on a ship bound for Illyrica and the Danube River. Two soldiers were responsible for escorting him to his place of exile. Three of the clergy voluntarily followed their bishop into exile. the way the vessel was wrecked and everyone drowned, except for Saint Apollinaris, his clergy and the two soldiers. The soldiers, listening to Saint Apollinaris, believed in the Lord and were baptized. finding any shelter, the travelers came to Moisia in Thrace, where Saint Apollinaris healed a certain illustrious inhabitant from leprosy. Both he and his companions were given shelter at the man’s home. this land Saint Apollinaris preached tirelessly about Christ and he converted many of the pagans to Christianity, which he was subjected to persecution by the unbelievers. They beat the saint mercilessly, then they sent him back to Italy aboard a ship. a three year absence, Saint Apollinaris returned to Ravenna and was joyfully received by his flock. pagans, however, entered the church where the saint was serving the Divine Liturgy, scattered those at prayer, and dragged the saint before the idolatrous priests at the pagan temple of Apollo. idol fell and shattered to pieces just as the saint was brought in. pagan priests brought Saint Apollinaris to Taurus, the new governor of the district for trial. Apollinaris performed a new miracle, healing the son of the governor, who had been blind from birth. gratitude for the healing of his son, Taurus tried to protect Saint Apollinaris from the angry crowd. He sent him to his own estate outside the city. Although Taurus’s wife and son were baptized, he feared the anger of the emperor, and did not receive Baptism. However, he was filled with gratitude and love toward his benefactor. Apollinaris lived for five years at Taurus’s estate and preached without hindrance. this time pagan priests sent letters of denunciation to Emperor Vespasian requesting a sentence of death or exile for the Christian “sorcerer” Apollinaris. the emperor told the pagan priests that the gods were sufficiently powerful to take revenge for themselves, if they felt insulted. the wrath of the pagans fell upon Saint Apollinaris: they seized him and beat him fiercely as he was leaving the city for a nearby settlement. found him barely alive and took him to the settlement, where he lived for seven days. his final illness the saint did not cease to teach his flock. He predicted that after the persecutions ended, Christians would enter upon better times when they could openly and freely confess their faith. bestowing his archpastoral blessing upon those present, the hieromartyr Apollinaris fell asleep in the Lord. Apollinaris was Bishop of Ravenna for twenty-eight years, and he reposed in the year 75.

Rome, 40-90, Cyril, Bishop of Catania, Sicily, Peter's Antioch disciple, wonderworker, sweetened bitter water, old age
Sicily, 40-90, Cyril, Bishop of Catania, Sicily, from Antioch, Peter's disciple, pious, wonderworker, sweetened bitter water, old age; Catania; St Cyril the Bishop of Catania, Commemorated on March 21; Cyril was born in Antioch. was a disciple of the Apostle Peter (June 29, January 16), installed him as Bishop of Catania in Sicily. Cyril wisely guided his flock; he was pious, and the Lord granted him the gift of wonderworking. his prayer the bitter water in a certain spring lost its bitterness and became drinkable. This miracle converted many pagans to Christianity. Cyril died in old age and was buried in Sicily.

Rome, 40-96, Lucian, from rome to Belgium, successful preacher, strict ascetic, killed by E Dometian, picked up head
Belgium, 40-96, Saint, Lucian of Beauvais; Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France, Commemorated on June 3; Hieromartyr Lucian lived in Rome, and his pagan name was Lucius. He was converted to Christ by the Apostle Peter, and was baptized. After Saint Pete'™s death, Saint Lucian preached the Gospel in Italy. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), a disciple of Saint Paul, arrived in Rome at this time. At the request of Saint Clement, Pope of Rome (November 25), he agreed to preach the Gospel in the West, and gathered companions and helpers for this task. Saint Clement consecrated Saint Lucian a bishop, then sent him off with Saint Dionysius, Saints Marcellinus and Saturninus, the Presbyter Maximian, and the Deacon Julian. holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). Saint Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. Saint Saturninus went to Gaul, and Saint Dionysius and the others went to the region of Paris. From there Saint Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian and Julian. Lucian'™s preaching was very successful. By the power of his words and the example of his life, he converted a large number of pagans to Christianity. Saint Lucian was a strict ascetic, and all day long he ate only a morsel of bread and some water. Towards the converted he was kindly, always joyful and cheerful of face. Soon almost all the settlements of Belgium were converted to Christ. this period, the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96) initiated a second persecution against Christians (after that of Nero, 54-68), and he issued an edict prescribing torture and execution for anyone who refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. officials were sent to Belgium to carry out the edict. The Lord revealed to Saint Lucian the ordeal facing him. He gathered the flock together, urging them not to fear threats, tortures or death, and then he gave thanks to God for granting him the possibility of joining the company of the holy martyrs. After praying, Saint Lucian and the priest Maximian and Deacon Julian withdrew to the summit of a hill, where he continued to teach the people who came with him. the soldiers of the emperor came upon the saints and led them away for trial. Saints Maximian and Julian were urged to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to idols, but both refused and were beheaded. the judge began to interrogate Saint Lucian, accusing him of sorcery and disobedience to the emperor and Senate. The saint replied that he was not a sorcerer, but rather a servant of the true God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he refused to offer sacrifice to idols made by human hands. saint was subjected to fierce beatings, during which he repeated, œNever will I cease to praise Christ, the Son of God, in my heart, and with my lips. Then the holy martyr was beheaded. A heavenly light shone over his body, and the Voice of the Savior was heard, summoning the valiant sufferer into the heavenly Kingdom to receive the marty'™s crown. By the power of God the saint stood up, picked up his severed head, and crossed over the river. Reaching the burial spot he had chosen, he lay down upon the ground and reposed in peace. of this great miracle about 500 pagans were converted to Christ. Later, a church was built over Saint Lucian'™s grave, to which the relics of the martyrs Maximian and Julian were transferred.

Rome, 40-96, Hieromartyr Lucian, sent to Gaul, then to Belgium, c all Belgium, heavenly light, picked up head
France, 40-96, Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais, France (Avalon River Mouth, Therain River 4), converted by Peter, preached in Italy, Clement sent him to Gaul, then to Belgium, very successful, by words and life example, strict ascetic, c all Belgium, beheaded, heavenly light, picked up head and carried to his grave; Beauvais; Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France, Commemorated on June 3; Hieromartyr Lucian lived in Rome, and his pagan name was Lucius. was converted to Christ by the Apostle Peter, and was baptized. Saint Peter’s death, Saint Lucian preached the Gospel in Italy. Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), a disciple of Saint Paul, arrived in Rome at this time. the request of Saint Clement, Pope of Rome (November 25), he agreed to preach the Gospel in the West, and gathered companions and helpers for this task. Clement consecrated Saint Lucian a bishop, then sent him off with Saint Dionysius, Saints Marcellinus and Saturninus, the Presbyter Maximian, and the Deacon Julian. holy preachers sailed from Italy to Gaul (modern France). Marcellinus and those accompanying him continued on to Spain. Saturninus went to Gaul, Saint Dionysius and the others went to the region of Paris. there Saint Lucian went to Belgium with Maximian and Julian. Lucian’s preaching was very successful. By the power of his words and the example of his life, he converted a large number of pagans to Christianity. Lucian was a strict ascetic, and all day long he ate only a morsel of bread and some water. the converted he was kindly, always joyful and cheerful of face. almost all the settlements of Belgium were converted to Christ. this period, the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96) initiated a second persecution against Christians (after that of Nero, 54-68), and he issued an edict prescribing torture and execution for anyone who refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. officials were sent to Belgium to carry out the edict. Lord revealed to Saint Lucian the ordeal facing him. He gathered the flock together, urging them not to fear threats, tortures or death, and then he gave thanks to God for granting him the possibility of joining the company of the holy martyrs. After praying, Saint Lucian and the priest Maximian and Deacon Julian withdrew to the summit of a hill, where he continued to teach the people who came with him. the soldiers of the emperor came upon the saints and led them away for trial. Saints Maximian and Julian were urged to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to idols, but both refused and were beheaded. the judge began to interrogate Saint Lucian, accusing him of sorcery and disobedience to the emperor and Senate. The saint replied that he was not a sorcerer, but rather a servant of the true God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he refused to offer sacrifice to idols made by human hands. saint was subjected to fierce beatings, during which he repeated, “Never will I cease to praise Christ, the Son of God, in my heart, and with my lips.” Then the holy martyr was beheaded. heavenly light shone over his body, and the Voice of the Savior was heard, summoning the valiant sufferer into the heavenly Kingdom to receive the martyr’s crown. the power of God the saint stood up, picked up his severed head, and crossed over the river. Reaching the burial spot he had chosen, he lay down upon the ground and reposed in peace. of this great miracle about 500 pagans were converted to Christ. Later, a church was built over Saint Lucian’s grave, to which the relics of the martyrs Maximian and Julian were transferred.

Rome, 40-109, Onesimus, Apostle of the 70, Colossae, fled to Rome from Philemon, Paul sent letter, Ph sent him back to Pa
Phyrgia, 40-109, Onesimus, Apostle of the 70, Colossae, Phyrgia (Chonae, plunging, Lycus River 1), guilty offense against his master Philemon, he fled to Rome, prison as a runaway slave, Baptized by Paul, served him like a son, Knowing P Paul sent him letter carried by O, P forgave O, sent him back to P, O became bishop of Ephesus, stoned and beheaded in 109; Colossae or Chonae means plunging. ; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; Onesimus, Apostle of the Seventy in his youth was a servant of Philemon, a Christian of distinguished lineage, living in the city of Colossae, Phrygia. of an offense against his master and fearing punishment, Saint Onesimus fled to Rome, but as a runaway slave he wound up in prison. In prison he encountered the Apostle Paul, was enlightened by him, and was baptized. prison Saint Onesimus served the Apostle Paul like a son. Saint Paul was personally acquainted with Philemon, and wrote him a letter filled with love, asking him to forgive the runaway slave and to accept him like a brother. He sent Saint Onesimus with this letter to his master, depriving himself of help, of which he was very much in need. he received the letter, Saint Philemon not only forgave Onesimus, but also sent him back to Rome to the apostle. Saint Philemon (January 4, February 19, and November 22) was afterwards consecrated bishop of the city of Gaza. the death of the Apostle Paul, Saint Onesimus served the apostles until their end, and he was made a bishop. the death of the holy apostles he preached the Gospel in many lands and cities: in Spain, Carpetania, Colossae, Patras. In his old age, Saint Onesimus occupied the bishop’s throne at Ephesus, after the Apostle Timothy. When they took Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer (December 20) to Rome for execution, Bishop Onesimus came to meet with him with other Christians, as Saint Ignatius mentions in his Epistle to the Ephesians. the reign of the emperor Trajan (89-117), Saint Onesimus was arrested and brought to trial before the eparch Tertillus. He held the saint in prison for eighteen days, and then sent him to prison in the city of Puteoli. After a certain while, the eparch sent for the prisoner and, convincing himself that Saint Onesimus maintained his faith in Christ, had him stoned, after which they beheaded the saint with a sword. A certain illustrious woman took the body of the martyr and placed it in a silver coffin. This took place in the year 109.

Rome, 41-54, Emperor, Claudius, Pagan, banished Jews and Jewish Christians
Roman Emperor, 41-54, Claudius; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT) ; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; 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. ; St Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth, Commemorated on September 3 ; Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Icon of the Mother of God of Kholm, Commemorated September 8 ; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 1 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; PHILIP, DEACON AND EVANGELIST (11 OCT NT); Martyr Zenaida (Zenais) of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 11; Martyr Longinus the Centurion, who stood at the Cross of the Lord, Commemorated on October 16; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; JAMES OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP AND MARTYR (23 OCT NT); St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, Commemorated on October 25; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Hieromartyr Marcian the Bishop of Syracuse, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Rodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated on November 16; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; Apostle Archippus the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; St Onesimus the Disciple of St Paul, Commemorated on November 22; Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; ANDREW THE APOSTLE, (30 NOV NT) ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; THOMAS THE APOSTLE, (21 DEC NT) ; STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (26 DEC NT); Icon of the Mother of God œthe Merciful, Commemorated on December 27; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); James of Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, along with David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on December 27; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 28; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 30 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Euodius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle James, of the Seventy, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Cleophas of the Seventy, the Brother of Joseph the Betrothed, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philip the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Prochorus the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Archippus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epenetus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Agabus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Rufus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Asyncritus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Phlegon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Jason of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Olympas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Carpus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, called John, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Zenas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Fortunatus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter, Commemorated on January 16; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; THE CONVERSION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, (JANUARY 25); SILAS, MISSIONARY COMPANION OF PAUL, Commemorated January 26 ; TIMOTHY AND TITUS, COMPANIONS OF PAUL (26 JAN NT); LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, 27 JAN. NT ; CORNELIUS THE CENTURION, (7 FEBRUARY) ; Hieromartyr Marcellus the Bishop of Sicily, Commemorated on February 9; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; Apostle Philemon the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 19; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated on February 19; Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenius at Constantinople, Commemorated on February 22; MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE, (24 FEB NT); Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons, Commemorated on March 20; St Cyril the Bishop of Catania, Commemorated on March 21; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8 ; Hieromartyr Antipas the Bishop of Pergamum and Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 11; Martyr Processus of Rome, Commemorated on April 11 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25 ; MARK THE EVANGELIST, (25 APR NT) ; Apostle Jason, of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle James the Brother of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 30; James of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT) ; Philip of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT); Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 17 ; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Martyr Frontasius of Gaul, Commemorated on June 4; Righteous Martha the sister of Lazarus, Commemorated on June 4; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe Roman, Commemorated on June 26; PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES AND MARTYRS (29 JUN 64); The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Paul, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ;

Rome, 41-54, All the Jews banished from Rome, including christians of course
Rome, 41-54, All the Jews banished from Rome ; Roman Emperor, 41-54, Claudius; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT) ; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; 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. ; St Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth, Commemorated on September 3 ; Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Icon of the Mother of God of Kholm, Commemorated September 8 ; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 1 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; PHILIP, DEACON AND EVANGELIST (11 OCT NT); Martyr Zenaida (Zenais) of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 11; Martyr Longinus the Centurion, who stood at the Cross of the Lord, Commemorated on October 16; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; JAMES OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP AND MARTYR (23 OCT NT); St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, Commemorated on October 25; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Hieromartyr Marcian the Bishop of Syracuse, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Rodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated on November 16; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; Apostle Archippus the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; St Onesimus the Disciple of St Paul, Commemorated on November 22; Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; ANDREW THE APOSTLE, (30 NOV NT) ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; THOMAS THE APOSTLE, (21 DEC NT) ; STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (26 DEC NT); Icon of the Mother of God œthe Merciful, Commemorated on December 27; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); James of Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, along with David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on December 27; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 28; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 30 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Euodius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle James, of the Seventy, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Cleophas of the Seventy, the Brother of Joseph the Betrothed, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philip the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Prochorus the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Nicanor the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Archippus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epenetus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Agabus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Rufus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Asyncritus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Phlegon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Jason of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Olympas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Carpus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, called John, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Zenas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Fortunatus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter, Commemorated on January 16; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; THE CONVERSION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, (JANUARY 25); SILAS, MISSIONARY COMPANION OF PAUL, Commemorated January 26 ; TIMOTHY AND TITUS, COMPANIONS OF PAUL (26 JAN NT); LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, 27 JAN. NT ; CORNELIUS THE CENTURION, (7 FEBRUARY) ; Hieromartyr Marcellus the Bishop of Sicily, Commemorated on February 9; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; Apostle Philemon the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 19; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated on February 19; Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenius at Constantinople, Commemorated on February 22; MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE, (24 FEB NT); Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons, Commemorated on March 20; St Cyril the Bishop of Catania, Commemorated on March 21; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8 ; Hieromartyr Antipas the Bishop of Pergamum and Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 11; Martyr Processus of Rome, Commemorated on April 11 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25 ; MARK THE EVANGELIST, (25 APR NT) ; Apostle Jason, of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle James the Brother of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 30; James of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT) ; Philip of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT); Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 17 ; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Martyr Frontasius of Gaul, Commemorated on June 4; Righteous Martha the sister of Lazarus, Commemorated on June 4; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda or œthe Roman, Commemorated on June 26; PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES AND MARTYRS (29 JUN 64); The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Paul, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ;

Rome, 41-54, CORNELIUS, Centurion, angel appeared while praying, send people to Peter, Peter sheet vision, preach to pagans
Palestine, 41-54, Cornelius the Centurion, Joppa, Palestine, virtuous life, monotheist, piety, good deeds, angel appeared while he praying, send people from Caesarea to Joppa to Peter, Peter at prayer, vision great sheet 3 times lowered to him, all kinds beasts and fowl, eat everything, what God cleansed, not calll common, preach to pagans, C first pagan to receive baptism; Joppa, now Jaffa, 1 Maccabees Ch 10-15; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated on September 13; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion: Soon after the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross and His Ascension into Heaven, a centurion by the name of Cornelius settled at Caesarea in Palestine. had lived previously in Thracian Italy. Although he was a pagan, he distinguished himself by deep piety and good deeds, as the holy Evangelist Luke says (Acts 10:1). The Lord did not disdain his virtuous life, and so led him to the knowledge of truth and to faith in Christ. Cornelius was praying in his home. An angel of God appeared to him and said that his prayer had been heard and accepted by God. angel commanded him to send people to Joppa to find Simon, also called Peter. Cornelius immediately fulfilled the command. those people were on their way to Joppa, the Apostle Peter was at prayer, and he had a vision: three times a great sheet was lowered down to him, filled with all kinds of beasts and fowl. He heard a voice from Heaven commanding him to eat everything. When the apostle refused to eat food which Jewish Law regarded as unclean, the voice said: “What God hath cleansed, you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle Peter to preach the Word of God to the pagans. When the Apostle Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius in the company of those sent to meet him, he was received with great joy and respect by the host together with his kinsmen and comrades. fell down at the feet of the apostle and requested to be taught the way of salvation. Saint Peter talked about the earthly life of Jesus Christ, and spoke of the miracles and signs worked by the Savior, and of His teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven. Then Saint Peter told him of the Lord’s death on the Cross, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, Cornelius believed in Christ and was baptized with all his family. He was the first pagan to receive Baptism. retired from the world and went preaching the Gospel together with the Apostle Peter, who made him a bishop. When the Apostle Peter, together with his helpers Saints Timothy and Cornelius, was in the city of Ephesus, he learned of a particularly vigorous idol-worship in the city of Skepsis. Lots were drawn to see who would go there, and Saint Cornelius was chosen. the city lived a prince by the name of Demetrius, learned in the ancient Greek philosophy, hating Christianity and venerating the pagan gods, in particular Apollo and Zeus. Learning about the arrival of Saint Cornelius in the city, he immediately summoned him and asked him the reason for his coming. Saint Cornelius answered that he came to free him from the darkness of ignorance and lead him to knowledge of the True Light. prince, not comprehending the meaning of what was said, became angry and demanded that he answer each of his questions. When Saint Cornelius explained that he served the Lord and that the reason for his coming was to announce the Truth, the prince became enraged and demanded that Cornelius offer sacrifice to the idols. saint asked to be shown the gods. When he entered the pagan temple, Cornelius turned towards the east and uttered a prayer to the Lord. There was an earthquake, and the temple of Zeus and the idols situated in it were destroyed. All the populace, seeing what had happened, were terrified. prince was even more vexed and began to take counsel together with those approaching him, about how to destroy Cornelius. They bound the saint and took him to prison for the night. At this point, one of his servants informed the prince that his wife and child had perished beneath the rubble of the destroyed temple. a certain while, one of the pagan priests, by the name of Barbates, reported that he heard the voice of the wife and son somewhere in the ruins and that they were praising the God of the Christians. The pagan priest asked that the imprisoned one be released, in gratitude for the miracle worked by Saint Cornelius, and the wife and son of the prince remained alive. joyful prince hastened to the prison in the company of those about him, declaring that he believed in Christ and asking him to bring his wife and son out of the ruins of the temple. Saint Cornelius went to the destroyed temple, and through prayer the suffering were freed. this the prince Demetrius, and all his relatives and comrades accepted holy Baptism. Saint Cornelius lived for a long time in this city, converted all the pagan inhabitants to Christ, and made Eunomios a presbyter in service to the Lord. Saint Cornelius died in old age and was buried not far from the pagan temple he destroyed. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION, (7 FEBRUARY); that we know of Cornelius is contained in the Book of Acts (chapters 10 and 11). centurion was a Roman army officer, theoretically in charge of a hundred men. Several centurions are mentioned in the New Testament (Matt 8:5 = Luke 7:2; Matt 27:54 = Luke 23:47; Acts 10:1; 22:25; 23:17,23; 22:23; 27:1), and they are consistently portrayed favorably. Cornelius is called a God-fearer--that is to say, he was a monotheist, a Gentile who worshipped the One God. The Jews traditionally recognized that such Gentiles had a place in the Family of God, and they are mentioned along with the priests (House of Aaron), the Levites (House of Levi), and the Jews or Israelites (House of Israel) in Ps 115:9-13, Ps 118:2-4, and Ps 135:19-20. In New Testament times, an estimated ten per cent of the population of the Roman Empire consisted of God-fearers, Gentiles who recognized that the pagan belief in many gods and goddesses, who according to the myths about them were given to adultery, treachery, intrigue, and the like, was not a religion for a thoughtful and moral worshipper, and who had accordingly embraced an ethical monotheism -- belief in One God, who had created the world, and who was the upholder of the Moral Law. Although only a few of them took the step of formal conversion to Judaism, undergoing circumcision and accepting the obligations of keeping the food laws and ritual laws of Moses and his rabbinical interpreters, most of them attended synagogue services regularly. Cornelius, then, was a Roman centurion, and a God-fearing man. One day, as he was praying, an angel appeared to him and told him to send a messenger to Joppa and ask Peter to come and preach to him. Peter, meanwhile, was given a vision that disposed him to go with the messenger. When Peter had preached to Cornelius and his family and friends, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on the first Christians at Pentecost (Acts 2), and they began to speak in other tongues. Thus, there was ample evidence to convince Jewish Christians who hesitated to believe that it was the will of God that Gentiles should be brought into the Church. Cornelius was the first Gentile converted to Christianity, along with his household, and Luke, recording this event, clearly regards it as an event of the utmost importance in the history of the early Church, the beginning of the Church's decision to admit Gentiles to full and equal fellowship with Jewish Christians. Cornelius lived in Caesarea, the political capital of Judea under Herod and the Romans. (Given that Jerusalem was a holy city to the Jews, it would have been needlessly provocative for the Romans to establish their headquarters there.) Although he is not mentioned again, he and his household presumably formed the nucleus of the Christian community that we find mentioned later (Acts 8:40; 21:18) in this important city. by James Kiefer

Rome, 41-54, Cornelius, Centurion, Peter, sheet, eat everything, salvation, Skepsis, idols, earthquake, wife and c
Palestine Centurion, 1st Century, Cornelius the Centurion; Martyr Demetrius with his wife and son, at Skepsis on the Hellespont, Commemorated on September 11 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated September 13 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion: Soon after the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross and His Ascension into Heaven, a centurion by the name of Cornelius settled at Caesarea in Palestine. He had lived previously in Thracian Italy. Although he was a pagan, he distinguished himself by deep piety and good deeds, as the holy Evangelist Luke says (Acts 10:1). The Lord did not disdain his virtuous life, and so led him to the knowledge of truth and to faith in Christ. Cornelius was praying in his home. An angel of God appeared to him and said that his prayer had been heard and accepted by God. The angel commande him to send people to Joppa to find Simon, also called Peter. Cornelius immediately fulfilled the command. those people were on their way to Joppa, the Apostle Peter was at prayer, and he had a vision: three times a great sheet was lowered down to him, filled with all kinds of beasts and fowl. He heard a voice from Heaven commanding him to eat everything. When the apostle refused to eat food which Jewish Law regarded as unclean, the voice said: “What God hath cleansed, you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle Peter to preach the Word of God to the pagans. When the Apostle Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius in the company of those sent to meet him, he was received with great joy and respect by the host together with his kinsmen and comrades. fell down at the feet of the apostle and requested to be taught the way of salvation. Saint Peter talked about the earthly life of Jesus Christ, and spoke of the miracles and signs worked by the Savior, and of His teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven. Then Saint Peter told him of the Lord’s death on the Cross, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, Cornelius believed in Christ and was baptized with all his family. He was the first pagan to receive Baptism. retired from the world and went preaching the Gospel together with the Apostle Peter, who made him a bishop. When the Apostle Peter, together with his helpers Saints Timothy and Cornelius, was in the city of Ephesus, he learned of a particularly vigorous idol-worship in the city of Skepsis. Lots were drawn to see who would go there, and Saint Cornelius was chosen. the city lived a prince by the name of Demetrius, learned in the ancient Greek philosophy, hating Christianity and venerating the pagan gods, in particular Apollo and Zeus. Learning about the arrival of Saint Cornelius in the city, he immediately summoned him and asked him the reason for his coming. Saint Cornelius answered that he came to free him from the darkness of ignorance and lead him to knowledge of the True Light. prince, not comprehending the meaning of what was said, became angry and demanded that he answer each of his questions. When Saint Cornelius explained that he served the Lord and that the reason for his coming was to announce the Truth, the prince became enraged and demanded that Cornelius offer sacrifice to the idols. saint asked to be shown the gods. When he entered the pagan temple, Cornelius turned towards the east and uttered a prayer to the Lord. There was an earthquake, and the temple of Zeus and the idols situated in it were destroyed. All the populace, seeing what had happened, were terrified. prince was even more vexed and began to take counsel together with those approaching him, about how to destroy Cornelius. They bound the saint and took him to prison for the night. At this point, one of his servants informed the prince that his wife and child had perished beneath the rubble of the destroyed temple. a certain while, one of the pagan priests, by the name of Barbates, reported that he heard the voice of the wife and son somewhere in the ruins and that they were praising the God of the Christians. The pagan priest asked that the imprisoned one be released, in gratitude for the miracle worked by Saint Cornelius, and the wife and son of the prince remained alive. joyful prince hastened to the prison in the company of those about him, declaring that he believed in Christ and asking him to bring his wife and son out of the ruins of the temple. Saint Cornelius went to the destroyed temple, and through prayer the suffering were freed. this the prince Demetrius, and all his relatives and comrades accepted holy Baptism. Saint Cornelius lived for a long time in this city, converted all the pagan inhabitants to Christ, and made Eunomios a presbyter in service to the Lord. Saint Cornelius died in old age and was buried not far from the pagan temple he destroyed.

Rome, 45-99, Apostle Aristobulus, Bishop of Britain, Barnabas' brother, from Cyprus, evangelized Scotland, Ireland also
England, 45-99, Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain, Barnabas' brother, from Cyprus, evangelized Scotland, Ireland also; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy the Bishop of Britain, Commemorated on March 16; Holy Apostle Aristóboulos of the Seventy was born on Cyprus. He and his brother, the Apostle Barnabas (June 11), accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys. Saint Aristóboulos is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:10). are several conflicting narratives about the hierarch's life before he went to Britain. Some identify him with Zebedee, the father of the Apostles James and John. Others say that he was the father-in-law of the Apostle Peter. Most of these are unreliable, however. Paul made Aristóboulos a bishop and sent him to preach the Gospel in Britain, Scotland, and Hibernia (Ireland), where he converted many people to Christ. He also had to endure many torments and afflictions from hostile pagans, who beat him and mocked him. Eventually, he won them over and brought them to Christ as well. Aristóboulos reposed peacefully in Britain among the people he had evangelized. Some sources say he suffered a martyr's death in Wales at an advanced age. Aristóboulos is also commemorated on October 31 (with Saints Stachys, Apellēs, Amplias, Urban, and Narcissus), and also on the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles (January 4). In Greek usage he is commemorated on March 15.

Rome, 48-107, IGNATIUS of Antioch, Syria, arrested by Romans, taken to Rome to d in Arena, but visited many spots along the way, wrote 7 letters
Syria, 48-107, IGNATIUS of Antioch, Syria (Orontes River 7), arrested by Romans, taken to Rome to die in Arena, but visited many spots along the way, wrote 7 letters; Antioch (Orontes River 7); IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP AND MARTYR (17 OCT 107) ; the Apostles, Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch in Syria. predecessor, of whom little is known, was named Euodius. he knew any of the Apostles directly is uncertain. is known of his life except for the very end of it. in the second century (perhaps around 107 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan), he was arrested by the Imperial authorities, condemned to death, and transported to Rome to die in the arena. thus dealing with a leader, the rulers hoped to terrify the rank and file. Ignatius took the opportunity to encourage them, to groups of Christians at every town along the way. the prison escort reached the west coast of Asia Minor, it halted before taking ship, and delegations from several Asian churches were able to visit Ignatius, to speak with him at length, to assist him with items for his journey, and to bid him an affectionate farewell and commend him to the grace of God. response he wrote seven letters that have been preserved: to congregations that had greeted him, en masse or by delegates (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Philadelphians, and Smyrnaeans), to the congregation that would greet him at his destination (Romans), one to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of the Apostle John. letters are available in several modern translations. the most accessible is the Penguin Paperback, Early Christian Writings, translated by Maxwell Staniforth. themes with which he is chiefly concerned are the importance of maintaining Christian unity in love and sound doctrine (with warnings against factionalism and against the heresy of Docetism -- the belief that Christ was not fully human and did not have a material body or really suffer and die), the role of the clergy as a focus of Christian unity, Christian martyrdom as a glorious privilege, eagerly to be grasped. writes: am God's wheat, ground fine by the lion's teeth to be made purest bread for Christ. early pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire. time for my birth is close at hand. me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. by James Kiefer

Rome, 48-107, Ignatius the God-Bearer, Antioch, Theologian John's disciple w Polycarp, Jesus hugged him, bore God in his heart
Syria, 48-107, Ignatius the God-Bearer, Antioch, Syria (Orontes River 7), Theologian John's disciple w Polycarp, 2nd Bishop of Antioch, little boy Jesus hugged, bore God in his heart, prayed unceasingly, antiphonal singing, by angels example, Trajan 107, I came to him, T sent I to Rome for wild beasts to I joy, from Seleucia to Smyrna and Polycarp, to Troas, to Neapolis, to Philippi, visited churches, wrote 7 epistles to Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philidelphia, Smyrna, to Polycarp; joy of roman christians meeting, lions tore him to pieces leaving heart w gold JC, Trajan stopped persecution, relics to Antioch then to San Clemente church Rome; Antioch (Orontes River 7); Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20 ; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). Saint Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). suggests that when Saint Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: “Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called “God-Bearer” (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, Saint Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. Saint Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. Saint Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. Saint Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied Saint Ignatius from Antioch to Rome. the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where Saint Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see Saint Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: “I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, ‘Hasten to the Father.’” Smyrna, Saint Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, Saint Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi. the way to Rome Saint Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to Saint Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of Saint Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). Saint Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from Saint Ignatius’s letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day. Roman Christians met Saint Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but Saint Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians. December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led Saint Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: “Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts.” this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, Saint Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, Saint Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: “Jesus Christ.” After his execution Saint Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. of the saint’s great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of Saint Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente.

Rome, 48-108 , Ignatius, 3rd Bishop of Antioch, God Bearer, gold J C in his heart, to Rome, incouraging letters and preacing
Syria, 107-18 , Ignatius of Antioch; of Antioch (died c. 108/140 AD),[3][4][7][8][9] also known as Ignatius Theophorus (the God-bearing), was an early Christian writer and Patriarch of Antioch. While en route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. This correspondence now forms a central part of a later collection of works known to be authored by the Apostolic Fathers. He is considered to be one of the three most important of these, together with Clement of Rome and Polycarp. His letters also serve as an example of early Christian theology. Important topics they address include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of bishops. Antioch (Orontes River 7); IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP AND MARTYR (17 OCT 107) ; the Apostles, Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch in Syria. His predecessor, of whom little is known, was named Euodius. he knew any of the Apostles directly is uncertain. is known of his life except for the very end of it. in the second century (perhaps around 107 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan), he was arrested by the Imperial authorities, condemned to death, and transported to Rome to die in the arena. thus dealing with a leader, the rulers hoped to terrify the rank and file. Ignatius took the opportunity to encourage them, speaking to groups of Christians at every town along the way. the prison escort reached the west coast of Asia Minor, it halted before taking ship, and delegations from several Asian churches were able to visit Ignatius, to speak with him at length, to assist him with items for his journey, and to bid him an affectionate farewell and commend him to the grace of God. response he wrote seven letters that have been preserved: five to congregations that had greeted him, en masse or by delegates (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Philadelphians, and Smyrnaeans), one to the congregation that would greet him at his destination (Romans), and one to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of the Apostle John. His letters are available in several modern translations. Perhaps the most accessible is the Penguin Paperback, Early Christian Writings, translated by Maxwell Staniforth. The themes with which he is chiefly concerned are (1) the importance of maintaining Christian unity in love and sound doctrine (with warnings against factionalism and against the heresy of Docetism -- the belief that Christ was not fully human and did not have a material body or really suffer and die), (2) the role of the clergy as a focus of Christian unity, (3) Christian martyrdom as a glorious privilege, eagerly to be grasped. He writes: I am God's wheat, ground fine by the lion's teeth to be made purest bread for Christ. No early pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire. The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. by James Kiefer Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). Saint Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). suggests that when Saint Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: “Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3). saint was called “God-Bearer” (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. Bishop of Antioch, Saint Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. Saint Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied Saint Ignatius from Antioch to Rome. the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where Saint Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see Saint Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: “I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, ‘Hasten to the Father.’” Smyrna, Saint Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, Saint Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi. the way to Rome Saint Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to Saint Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of Saint Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). Saint Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from Saint Ignatius’s letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day. Roman Christians met Saint Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but Saint Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians. December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led Saint Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: “Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts.” this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, Saint Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, Saint Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: “Jesus Christ.” After his execution Saint Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. of the saint’s great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of Saint Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente.

Rome, 50, Presbyter Julian & Deacon Caesarius at Terracina, pagan temple collapsed, killing many, bodies floated
Naples, 50, Martyrs Julian the Presbyter and Caesarius the Deacon at Terracina; Caesarius was thrown into prison for insulting the pagan gods. They later took him in bonds to the temple of Apollo, but before they got him near the pagan temple it collapsed, killing the pagan priests and many of the people. the same time the idolaters arrested the Christian priest Julian. At the emperor’s orders, the holy martyrs were cast into the sea, but their bodies floated to the surface, and Christians buried the sufferers. Terracina, near Rome ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated October 7 ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter suffered martyrdom for Christ with Saint Caesarius the Deacon at Terracina, Italy in the first century. Caesarius was thrown into prison for insulting the pagan gods. They later took him in bonds to the temple of Apollo, but before they got him near the pagan temple it collapsed, killing the pagan priests and many of the people. the same time the idolaters arrested the Christian priest Julian. At the emperor’s orders, the holy martyrs were cast into the sea, but their bodies floated to the surface, and Christians buried the sufferers. relics of Saint Caesarius are kept in Rome.

Rome, 50 1st Century, Hieromartyr Terence, Bishop of Iconium (Konya), Lycaonia, tortured and beheaded for his faith in Christ
Lyconia, 50 1st Century, Hieromartyr Terence the Bishop of Iconium (Konya), Lycaonia (Goksu River and Great Road), tortured and beheaded for his faith in Christ ; Iconium; Hieromartyr Terence the Bishop of Iconium, Commemorated on June 21; Terence was Bishop of Iconium in Lycaonia in the first century. was tortured and beheaded for his faith in Christ.

Rome, 52-93, Apostle Timothy, Lystra, Lykaonia, converted in 52 by Paul, became his disciple and constant companion
Lykaonia, 52-93, Apostle Timothy, Lystra, Lykaonia, converted in 52 by Paul, became his disciple and constant companion, called his son, bishop Ephesus, martyred there; Lystra and Derben, Lyconia (Konya) ; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated January 22 ; Holy Apostle Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor. Saint Timothy was converted to Christ in the year 52 by the holy Apostle Paul (June 29). When the Apostles Paul and Barnabas first visited the cities of Lycaonia, Saint Paul healed one crippled from birth. Many of the inhabitants of Lystra then believed in Christ, and among them was the future Saint Timothy, his mother Eunice and grandmother Loida (Lois) (Acts 14:6-12; 2 Tim. 1:5). seed of faith, planted in Saint Timothy’s soul by the Apostle Paul, brought forth abundant fruit. He became Saint Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in the preaching of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul loved Saint Timothy and in his Epistles called him his beloved son, remembering his devotion and fidelity with gratitude. wrote to Timothy: “You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and patience” (2 Tim. 3:10-11). The Apostle Paul appointed Saint Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus, where the saint remained for fifteen years. Finally, when Saint Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend, Saint Timothy, for a last farewell (2 Tim. 4:9). Timothy ended his life as a martyr. The pagans of Ephesus celebrated a festival in honor of their idols, and used to carry them through the city, accompanied by impious ceremonies and songs. Saint Timothy, zealous for the glory of God, attempted to halt the procession and reason with the spiritually blind idol-worshipping people, by preaching the true faith in Christ. pagans angrily fell upon the holy apostle, they beat him, dragged him along the ground, and finally, they stoned him. Saint Timothy’s martyrdom occurred in the year 93. the fourth century the holy relics of Saint Timothy were transferred to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Holy Apostles near the tombs of Saint Andrew (November 30) and Saint Luke (October 18). The Church honors Saint Timothy as one of the Apostles of the Seventy. Russian practice, the back of a priest’s cross is often inscribed with Saint Paul’s words to Saint Timothy: “Be an example to the believers in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Rome, 54-68, Emperor, Nero, Pagan, popular w citizens, but tyranny, extravagance, religious persecution and debauchery
Roman Emperor, 54-68, Nero ; Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (15 December 37 - 9 June 68 AD), originally named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, was the fifth emperor of Rome, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty line of emperors. was adopted by the Roman emperor Claudius at the age of thirteen, and succeeded him to the throne at the age of seventeen. Nero was popular with the lower-class Roman citizens during his time, but the aristocracy which have monopoly on surviving written tradition tended to associate his reign with unrestricted tyranny, extravagance, religious persecution and debauchery.[2][i][ii] was born in Antium, south of Rome, in AD 37. As biological great great-grandson of Augustus he was member of the innermost circle of the ruling dynasty. When Nero was two years old, his father died of edema, which enabled his mother (Agrippina the Younger) to marry the emperor Claudius and ultimately convince him to adopt and make Nero his heir. Early in his reign Nero was initially heavily guided by his mother Agrippina, his tutor Seneca the Younger, and Roman official Afranius Burrus. However, these early years saw Nero attempting to free himself from all such advisors and become his own man. As time passed, Nero played a more active role in government and foreign policy and came to rely much less on his initial influences. and colorful personality, Nero was at the center of several public and private scandals, some of which continue to live in public imagination even today. He made public appearances as an actor, poet, musician, and charioteer which shocked his aristocratic contemporaries as these occupations were usually seen as the domain of slaves, freedmen and commoners. Power struggle with his mother eventually led to him murdering his foster brother Britannicus and later to matricide. He also banished and later had his wife Claudia Octavia murdered in order to marry Poppaea Sabina, wife of his friend Otho who would later briefly succeed him. Soon afterwards Nero polygamously married freedman Pythagoras, with Nero acting as the bride at the ceremony. After Poppaea's death in unclear circumstances, Nero in short succession married an aristocratic woman Statilia Messalina and another freedman Sporus whom Nero had castrated. government Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy and trade, as well as on the cultural life of the empire. He ordered the construction of amphitheaters and promoted athletic games. A significant event that took place during his reign was the Roman–Parthian War of 58–63, where the prestigious general Corbulo had acted as commander and had successfully negotiated peace with the hostile Parthian Empire as a result of the war. The Roman general Suetonius Paulinus had also quashed a major revolt in Britain led by the Iceni tribal Queen Boudica. The Bosporan Kingdom was briefly annexed to the empire, and the First Jewish–Roman War began. Late in Nero's reign much of the city of Rome was destroyed by the Great Fire of Rome. The massive state expenses, partially related to reconstruction efforts, forced Nero to increase tax burdens and debase currency which put him on the collision course with the empire's elites. His decision to use the freed space in Rome's center for a statue of himself and a massive palace complex shaped public perception that money raised by such measures was being wasted for Nero's personal use. Nero's reign, various plots against his life developed, and Nero had many of those involved in these conspiracies put to death. Nero's increasing paranoia caused by these conspiracies resulted in harsh measures against the upper classes, which in turn increased the number of those desiring to remove him from power. In AD 68, the Roman senator Vindex, who had support from the eventual Roman emperor Galba, rebelled against Nero. Vindex's revolt failed in its immediate aim; however, Nero fled Rome when its discontented civil and military authorities eventually chose Galba as emperor. On 9 June in AD 68, Nero committed suicide, becoming the first Roman Emperor to do so. He made this decision after learning that he had been tried in absentia and condemned to death as a public enemy.[3][4] His death ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty, sparking a brief period of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Roman sources (including the Ancient Roman historians Suetonius and Cassius Dio) offer overwhelmingly negative assessments of his personality and reign. The contemporary historian Tacitus claims the Roman people thought him compulsive and corrupt. Suetonius tells that many Romans believed that the Great Fire of Rome was instigated by Nero as a way to clear land for his planned palatial complex, the Domus Aurea.[5] Also, according to Tacitus, he was said to have seized Christians as scapegoats for the fire, and had them burned alive, seemingly motivated not by public justice but by personal cruelty.[6] Some modern historians question the reliability of the ancient sources on Nero's tyrannical acts[7][8] due to the overwhelming evidence of his popularity among the Roman commoners (especially in the eastern provinces of the Empire, where a popular legend arose that Nero had not died and would return). After his death, at least three leaders of short-lived, failed rebellions presented themselves as "Nero reborn" in order to gain popular support. Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT) ; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; 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. ; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 1 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated on October 7; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; PHILIP, DEACON AND EVANGELIST (11 OCT NT); Martyr Nazarius of Milan, Commemorated on October 14; Martyr Zenaida (Zenais) of Tarsus, in Cilicia, Commemorated on October 11; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; JAMES OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP AND MARTYR (23 OCT NT); Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 30; Hieromartyr Marcian the Bishop of Syracuse, Commemorated on October 30 ; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 31; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Rodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifulÂ, Commemorated on November 12; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated on November 16; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; Apostle Archippus the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; St Onesimus the Disciple of St Paul, Commemorated on November 22; St Onesimus the Disciple of St Paul, Commemorated on November 22; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); ANDREW THE APOSTLE, (30 NOV NT) ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 8; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; THOMAS THE APOSTLE, (21 DEC NT) ; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifulÂ, Commemorated on December 27; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); James of Holy Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, along with David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on December 27; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on December 30 ; Apostle and Evangelist Luke of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Euodius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle James, of the Seventy, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Justus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Cleophas of the Seventy, the Brother of Joseph the Betrothed, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philip the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Prochorus the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timon the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Philemon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Archippus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crispus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epenetus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Stachys of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Amplias of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Urban of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Narcissus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Rufus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Asyncritus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Phlegon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Patrobus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Gaius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Jason of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Olympas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tertius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Carpus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, called John, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Zenas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Mark of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Apostle Fortunatus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter, Commemorated on January 16; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; SILAS, MISSIONARY COMPANION OF PAUL, Commemorated January 26 ; TIMOTHY AND TITUS, COMPANIONS OF PAUL (26 JAN NT); LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, 27 JAN. NT ; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; CORNELIUS THE CENTURION, (7 FEBRUARY) ; Hieromartyr Marcellus the Bishop of Sicily, Commemorated on February 9; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; Apostle Philemon the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 19; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated on February 19; Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenius at Constantinople, Commemorated on February 22; MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE, (24 FEB NT); Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated February 19; Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20; Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons, Commemorated on March 20; St Cyril the Bishop of Catania, Commemorated on March 21; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Cephas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8 ; Hieromartyr Antipas the Bishop of Pergamum and Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on April 11; Martyr Processus of Rome, Commemorated on April 11; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Apostle Pudens of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15 ; Apostle Trophimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on April 15; Martyr Basilissa of Rome the Disciple of Apostles Peter and Paul, Commemorated on April 15 ; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25 ; MARK THE EVANGELIST, (25 APR NT) ; Apostle Jason, of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Virginmartyr Kerkyra and those with her, Commemorated on April 28; James of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT) ; Philip of PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES (1 MAY NT); Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 17 ; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19; St Eutychius the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on May 28; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France, Commemorated on June 3; Righteous Martha the sister of Lazarus, Commemorated on June 4; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11 ; PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES AND MARTYRS (29 JUN 64); The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Paul, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter, Commemorated on June 29; The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Commemorated on June 29 ;

Rome, 54-68, Kyriake, sister of S well Woman Photina, Nero's extreme torments, unharmed, N's d Domnina c, devine light, prison c
Rome, , Kyriake of Rome (Aniene River, Tiber River 5), sister of Samaritan Woman at the well, summoned to Nero, smashed finger joints, unharmed, no pain, Nero's d Domnina, Sorcerer converted, 3 years, devine light, prison converted, crucified, 4 days, healed, blinded servants sight r, converted, cut off breasts, flayed skinblind, 2 bent trees ; Rome; Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20; - Martyr Kyriake of Rome, Commemorated on March 20: Saint Kyriake was the sister of the Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob’s Well (John. 4:5-42). to appear before Nero, the emperor asked the saints whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash the martyrs’ finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed. Photina and her five sisters Anatolia, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Nero’s daughter Domnina. Saint Photina converted both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food to kill her. years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that Saints Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified. then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized. sisters of Saint Photina also suffered terrible torments. Nero gave orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay their skin. An expert in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest execution for Saint Photis: they tied her by the feet to the tops of two bent-over trees. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the others beheaded, except for Saint Photina. Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons, Commemorated on March 20;

Rome, 61, Epistle of St James, Brother of the Lord
Rome, 61, Epistle of St James, Brother of the Lord; Epistle of James, the Letter of James, or simply James (Ancient Greek: Ἰάκωβος, romanized: Iakōbos), is a General epistle and one of the 21 epistles (didactic letters) in the New Testament. author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" who is writing to "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" (James 1:1). The epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus (James the Just),[1][2] and the audience is generally considered to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside Israel.[3][4] his letter within an overall theme of patient perseverance during trials and temptations, James writes in order to encourage his readers to live consistently with what they have learned in Christ. He condemns various sins, including pride, hypocrisy, favouritism, and slander. He encourages and implores believers to humbly live by godly, rather than worldly wisdom and to pray in all situations. the most part, until the late 20th century, the epistle of James was relegated to benign disregard – though it was shunned by many early theologians and scholars due to its advocacy of Torah observance and good works.[5] Famously, Luther at one time considered the epistle to be among the disputed books, and sidelined it to an appendix,[6] although in his Large Catechism he treated it as the authoritative word of God.[7] epistle aims to reach a wide Jewish audience.[8] During the last decades, the epistle of James has attracted increasing scholarly interest due to a surge in the quest for the historical James,[9] his role within the Jesus movement, his beliefs, and his relationships and views. This James revival is also associated with an increasing level of awareness of the Jewish grounding of both the epistle and the early Jesus movement.[10] James, Brother of the Lord; the Just, or a variation of James, brother of the Lord, was "a brother of Jesus", according to the New Testament. He was an early leader of the Jerusalem Church of the Apostolic Age. He died as a martyr in AD 62 or 69 after being stoned to death by order of High Priest Ananus ben Ananus. and Eastern Orthodox Christians, as well as some Anglicans and Lutherans, teach that James, along with others named in the New Testament as "brothers"[note 2] of Jesus, were not the biological children of Mary, but were possibly cousins of Jesus,[6] or step-brothers from a previous marriage of Joseph (as related in the Gospel of James).[7][note 3] The Catholic tradition holds that this James is to be identified with James, son of Alphaeus, and James the Less.[11] It is agreed by most that he should not be confused with James, son of Zebedee also known as James the Great.[1] Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on October 23; Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). his thirty years as bishop, Saint James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. They led the saint up on the pinnacle of the Jerusalem Temple and asked what he thought of Jesus. The holy Apostle began to bear witness that Christ is the Messiah, which was not the response the Pharisees were expecting. Greatly angered, the Jewish teachers threw him off the roof. saint did not die immediately, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies while they were stoning him. Saint James’ martyrdom occurred about 63 A.D. holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which formed the basis of the Liturgies of Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom. The Church has preserved an Epistle of Saint James, one of the books of the New Testament. 1853, Patriarch Hierotheus of Alexandria sent to Moscow a portion of the relics of Saint James. The Church distinguishes between the holy Apostle James the Brother of God, and Saint James the son of Zebedee (April 30) and Saint James the son of Alphaeus (October 9).

Rome, 61, Epistle of Jude, Brother of the Lord, sometime before Temple Destruction
Rome, 61, Epistle of Jude, Brother of the Lord, sometime before Temple Destruction; Epistle of Jude[a] is the penultimate book of the New Testament as well as the Christian Bible. It is traditionally attributed to Jude the Apostle, brother of James the Just, and thus possibly brother of Jesus as well. is a short epistle written in Koine Greek. It condemns in fierce terms certain people the author sees as a threat to the early Christian community, but describes these opponents only vaguely. According to Jude, these opponents are within the Christian community, but are not true Christians: they are scoffers, false teachers, malcontents, given to their lusts, and so on. The epistle reassures its readers that these people will soon be judged by God. It is possible that the group being referred to would have been obvious to the original recipients of the letter, but if a specific group was being referred to, knowledge of the details has since been lost. The one bit of their potential ideology discussed in the letter is that these opponents denigrate angels and their role. If this was indeed a part of the ideology of this group the author opposed, then the epistle is possibly a counterpoint to the Epistle to the Colossians. Colossians condemns those who give angels undue prominence and worship them; this implies the two letters might be part of an early Christian debate on Christian angelology. epistle introduces itself with a simple claim of authorship: "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James" (NRSV). "James" is generally taken to mean James, brother of Jesus, a prominent leader in the early church. Introductions would typically refer to a father in the era, so the use of a brother suggests that this would only be done if the brother was famous within the community. Little is known about Jude himself. As the brother of James, it has traditionally meant Jude was also a brother of Jesus, since James is described as being the brother of Jesus. This is why Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD) wrote in his work "Comments on the Epistle of Jude" that Jude, the author, was a son of Joseph and a brother of Jesus.[3] However, there is a dispute as to whether "brother" means someone who has the same father and mother, or a half-brother, cousin, or more distant familial relationship. This dispute over the true meaning of "brother" grew as the doctrine of the Virgin Birth evolved.[4][5][6] For example, Saint Jerome believed that not only Mary but also Joseph were virgins their entire lives, and thus James and by extension Jude were cousins.[7] the book of Jude, a "Jude" is mentioned five times in the New Testament: three times as Jude the Apostle,[8] and twice as Jude the brother of Jesus[9] (aside from references to Judas Iscariot and Judah (son of Jacob)). Debate continues as to whether the author of the epistle is the apostle, the brother of Jesus, both, or neither. Scholars have argued that since the author of the letter has not identified himself as an apostle and also refers to the apostles as a third party, and thus cannot be identified with Jude the Apostle. Other scholars have drawn the opposite conclusion, which is that, as an apostle, he would not have made a claim of apostleship on his own behalf.[6] reason to doubt that a relative of Jesus wrote the book is that they are unlikely to have been literate.[10] Jesus's family were common laborers from Aramaic-speaking Galilee, and literary composition skills were overwhelmingly concentrated in the elite in antiquity. Few knew how to read, fewer how to write, and fewer still how to write complicated literary treatises. Jesus himself may have been able to read, presumably in Hebrew, but he was also exceptional and the star of the family. Even if somehow Jude had learned a little of how to read Hebrew, the epistle is written in excellent, complicated Koine Greek, with knowledge of common forms of rhetoric and argument of the era, as well as seeming knowledge of the scriptures in Hebrew. All this would be exceptional for a countryside Galilean. Scholars who support the authorship of Jude generally assume that he must have embarked upon extensive travel and missionary work among Hellenized Jews to master Greek as the author did. Ultimately, it is impossible to know more details of Jude's life for sure. One early Christian tradition states that Jude's grandchildren were brought before Emperor Domitian and interrogated; in the story, they defended themselves as not rebels and mere poor laborers eking out what they could from a single patch of land. While the story is clearly apocryphal - Roman Emperors did not generally interrogate Galilean peasants - it does suggest that early Christians remembered Jude's family as lower-class laborers, not literate elites.[11] the Jude writing the letter was not Jude the Apostle mentioned in the gospels, then he was possibly an unknown Christian who happened to share the name and coincidentally also had a brother named James. A final possibility is that the epistle is pseudepigrapha - that the author intentionally hinted to readers that it was from the more famous Jude, but only as a false attribution to give the letter more authority.[11][10] date of composition is not known, but is loosely speculated to be between the years 50 and 110. Among those who favor the authorship of the Jude mentioned in the gospels, the letter is generally placed before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. Among those who favor the authorship of an unknown Christian, it is assumed to be a work of the early second century.[12][13] Scholars who consider the letter a pseudonymous work generally favor the later dates due to the letter's references to the apostles (as if they lived in the past)[14] and to tradition[15] and because of its competent Greek style.[16][17][6] Bo Reicke suggests around 90 AD; Heikki Räisänen concurs and believes that it may have been written at the end of the first century.[10][18] Bart Ehrman suggests an even later date, in the second half of the second century, due to use of certain terminology in ways similar to the pastoral epistles that was uncommon in the first century.[11] urges his readers to "contend for the faith" against "certain intruders [who] have stolen in among you."[19] He warns about false teachers who twist the grace of Christ as a pretext for wantonness. Jude asks the reader to recall how even after the Lord saved his own people out of the land of Egypt, he did not hesitate to destroy those who fell into unbelief, much as he punished the angels who fell from their original exalted status and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah.[20] He also paraphrases (verse 9) an incident apparently from the Testament of Moses that has since been lost about Satan and Michael the Archangel quarreling over the body of Moses. the analogy from Israel's history, he says that the false teachers have followed in the way of Cain, have rushed after reward into the error of Balaam, and have perished in the rebellion of Korach. He describes in vivid terms the opponents he warns of, calling them "clouds without rain", "trees without fruit", "foaming waves of the sea", and "wandering stars".[21] He exhorts believers to remember the words spoken by the Apostles, using language similar to the second epistle of Peter to answer concerns that the Lord seemed to tarry: "In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts,"[22] and to keep themselves in God's love,[23] before delivering a doxology to God.[24] quotes directly from 1 Enoch, a widely distributed work among the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, citing a section of 1 Enoch 1:8 that is based on Deuteronomy 33:2.[25][26] and audience[edit] Epistle of Jude is a brief book. It is one of the shortest books of the New Testament, consisting of just 1 chapter of 25 verses, and almost the shortest book in the Bible, with the shortest the Book of Obadiah. It may have been composed as an encyclical letter—that is, one not directed to the members of one church in particular, but intended rather to be circulated and read in all churches. While addressed to the Christian Church as a whole, the reference to the Old Testament figures such as Michael, Cain, and Korah's sons; the Book of Enoch quotation; and the invocation of James, the head of the church of Jerusalem, suggests a Jewish Christian main audience that would be familiar with Enochian literature and revere James.[10] wording and syntax of this epistle in its original Greek demonstrates that the author was capable and fluent. The epistle's style is combative, impassioned, and rushed. Many examples of evildoers and warnings about their fates are given in rapid succession. epistle concludes with a doxology, which is considered by Peter H. Davids to be one of the highest in quality contained in the Bible.[27] status[edit] letter of Jude was one of the disputed books of the biblical canon of the New Testament. Despite some opposition, it seems to have been accepted by most churches around the end of the second century.[28] Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and the Muratorian canon considered the letter canonical. The letter was eventually accepted as part of the canon by later Church Fathers such as Athanasius of Alexandria.[29] The canon list at the Council of Carthage (c. 397) included the epistle of Jude.[30] first historical record of doubts as to authorship are found in the writings of Origen of Alexandria, who spoke of the doubts held by some in the early third century. Eusebius classified it with the "disputed writings, the antilegomena" in the early fourth century. Eusebius doubted its authenticity partially because it was rarely quoted among ancient sources, although he acknowledges it was read in many churches.[31] The links between the Epistle and 2 Peter and its use of the biblical apocrypha raised concern: Saint Jerome wrote in 392 AD that the book was "rejected by many" since it quotes the Book of Enoch.[32] witnesses[edit] See also: Textual variants in the Epistle of Jude Papyrus 78, containing the Epistle of Jude verses 4, 5, 7 and 8; it is dated to the 3rd or 4th century Colophon of the Epistle of Jude in the Codex Alexandrinus manuscripts containing the text of the epistle of Jude include:[33] Papyrus 72 (3rd/4th century) Papyrus 78 (3rd/4th century; extant verses 4–5, 7–8)[34] Codex Vaticanus (B or 03; 325–350) Codex Sinaiticus (א or 01; 330–360) Codex Alexandrinus (A or 02; 400–440) Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C or 04; c. 450; extant verses 3–25)[35] Identity of the opponents[edit] epistle fiercely condemns the opponents it warns of and declares that God will judge and punish them, despite them being a part of the Christian community. However, the exact nature of these opponents have been a continuing interest for both theologians and historians, as the epistle does not describe them in any more detail than calling them corrupt and ungodly. Several theories have been proposed. The most specific verse describing the opponents is verse 8: the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. — Jude 1:8 (NIV)[36] "authority" (κυριοτητα, kyriotēta; alternate translations include "dominion" or "lordship") could mean several things. The most direct would be rejection of civil or ecclesiastical authority: the opponents were ignoring guidance from leaders. Martin Luther and Jean Calvin agreed with this interpretation, and it is the most common one.[37] Another possibility is that this specifically referred to rejecting the authority of Jesus or God, which would agree with verse 4 and be reinforcing the claim that these opponents are not true Christians.[37] A third possibility is that this is the singular of kyriotētes (Dominions), a class of angels.[37] This would fit with the final part of the sentence of "heap abuse on celestial beings", but it is unusual that the singular is used. Versions of Jude vary, and some manuscripts such as the Codex Sinaiticus indeed use the plural form, though.[38] abuse on celestial beings" is also a relevant statement, as it stands in some tension with the works of Paul the Apostle as well as the Epistle to the Hebrews.[37][39] Paul's undisputed works indicate that believers are already on the same level as angels, that all existing powers are subject to Christ, and believers are the future judges of angels.[11] Later writings attributed to Paul such as Colossians and Ephesians go even farther, with Colossians decrying the alleged worship of angels.[11] A hypothesis is thus that the author may have been attacking forms of Pauline Christianity that were not suitably deferential to angels in their opinion. "Rejecting authority" may be a reference to Paul's preaching that gentiles did not need to comply with Jewish Law. As James was known to be a major figure among Jewish Christians, this might indicate tension between the more Jewish strands of early Christianity represented by James and Jude set against Paul's message to the gentiles.[11] However, the line about "heap abuse on celestial beings" might have essentially been just another insult, in which case this entire line of thought is rendered moot. inherent vagueness of the epistle means that the identities of these opponents may well never be known. to 2 Peter[edit] passages[40] 2 Peter Jude 1:5 3 1:12 5 2:1 4 2:4 6 2:6 7 2:10–11 8–9 2:12 10 2:13–17 11–13 3:2-3 17-18 3:14 24 3:18 25 of Jude is very similar to 2 Peter (mainly 2 Peter chapter 2); so much so that most scholars agree that either one letter used the other directly, or they both drew on a common source.[41] Comparing the Greek text portions of 2 Peter 2:1–3:3 (426 words) to Jude 4–18 (311 words) results in 80 words in common and 7 words of substituted synonyms.[42] this epistle is much shorter than 2 Peter, and due to various stylistic details, some scholars consider Jude the source for the similar passages of 2 Peter.[43] However, other writers, arguing that Jude 18 quotes 2 Peter 3:3 as past tense, consider Jude to have come after 2 Peter.[44] scholars who consider Jude to predate 2 Peter note that the latter appears to quote the former but omits the reference to the non-canonical book of Enoch.[45] to other books[edit] Jude 9 on Codex Sinaiticus (c. 330–360) Epistle of Jude references at least three other books, with two (Book of Zechariah & 2 Peter) being canonical in all churches and the other (Book of Enoch) non-canonical in most churches. 9 refers to a dispute between Michael the Archangel and the devil about the body of Moses. Some interpreters understand this reference to be an allusion to the events described in Zechariah 3:1–2.[46][47] The classical theologian Origen, as well as Clement of Alexandria, Didymus the Blind, and others, attributes this reference to the non-canonical Assumption of Moses.[48] However, no extant copies of the Assumption of Moses contain this story, leading most scholars to conclude the section covering this dispute has been lost - perhaps a lost ending, since a story involving Moses's body would logically occur at the end.[49][50] Some scholars disagree; James Charlesworth argues that the Assumption of Moses never contained any such content, and other ancient Church writers supported a different origin.[51] 14–15 contain a direct quotation of a prophecy from 1 Enoch 1:9. The title "Enoch, the seventh from Adam" is also sourced from 1 En. 60:1.[52] Most commentators assume that this indicates that Jude accepts the antediluvian patriarch Enoch as the author of the Book of Enoch which contains the same quotation. An alternative explanation is that Jude quotes the Book of Enoch aware that verses 14–15 are an expansion of the words of Moses from Deuteronomy 33:2.[53][54] Book of Enoch is not considered canonical by most churches, although it is by the Ethiopian Orthodox church. According to Western scholars, the older sections of the Book of Enoch (mainly in the Book of the Watchers) date from about 300 BC and the latest part (Book of Parables) probably was composed at the end of the 1st century BC.[55] 1 Enoch 1:9, mentioned above, is part of the pseudepigrapha and is among the Dead Sea Scrolls [4Q Enoch (4Q204[4QENAR]) COL I 16–18].[56] It is largely accepted by scholars that the author of the Epistle of Jude was familiar with the Book of Enoch and was influenced by it in thought and diction.[57] epistle also closely mirrors the Epistle of James, with many similar sentences and borrowed phrases.[11]

Rome, 62-63, Gospel of Mark
Rome, 62-63, Gospel of Mark; Gospel of Mark in Wikipedia; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25;

Rome, 62-63, Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts
Rome, 62-63, Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts; Book of Acts; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18;

Rome, 63-110, Apostles Sosipater&Jason, Corfu Island, Epirus, Kerkyra story, J&S boiling tar story, Island converted
Lyconia, 30-110, Apostle Sosipater, Bishop of Iconium (Konya), Lyconia ; is a person mentioned in the New Testament, in Romans 16:21. He is probably the same person as Sopater mentioned in Acts 20:4. church tradition, he is known as Sosipater of Iconium, and is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Sosipater's feast days are on April 28 (Slavic tradition), or 29 (Greek tradition) with St. Jason; 10 with saints Erastus, Olympas, Herodian, Quartus and Tertius; and January 4 with the Seventy. According to Latin tradition, the disciple of St Paul the Apostle died on the 25th of June in Beroea. was born in Achaea. According to legend, he was Bishop in Iconium[1] (prior to the Apostle Tertius) by his relative the Apostle Paul. the Apostle Jason he traveled to the island of Corfu where they built a church in honor of the Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr and converted many pagans to the Christian faith. this, the governor of Corfu threw them into prison where they converted seven other prisoners to the Christian faith: Saturninus, Jakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius, known as the Seven Robbers. The governor had those seven put to death by boiling pitch for their faith. governor's daughter, the virgin Cercyra [uk], having watched these holy apostles being tortured and turned to the Christian faith, distributed all her jewels to the poor. governor became angry and put her in prison, yet she would not deny Christ. So he had the prison burned, but she remained unharmed. Many people were baptized upon seeing this miracle. He then had her killed with arrows while tied to a tree. believers fled to a nearby island to get away from the enraged governor, but as he chased them his boat sank. The new governor embraced the Christian faith and in baptism received the name Sebastian. then on Sts. Sosipater and Jason freely preached the Gospel and built up the Church in Corfu until a very old age, when they gave up their souls to God. Kerkyra (Kephalonia); Apostle Jason, of the Seventy and those with him, Commemorated on April 28; Apostle Jason was from Tarsus (Asia Minor). He was the first Christian in the city. The Apostle Sosipater was a native of Patra, Achaia. He is thought to be the same Sosipater mentioned in Acts 20:4. They both became disciples of Saint Paul, who even called them his kinsmen (Rom 16:21). John Chrysostom (Homily 32 on Romans) says that this is the same Jason who is mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Jason was made bishop in his native city of Tarsus, and Saint Sosipater in Iconium. traveled west preaching the Gospel, and in 63 they reached the island of Kerkyra [Korfu] in the Ionian Sea near Greece. they built a church in the name of the Protomartyr Stephen and they baptized many. The governor of the island learned of this and locked them up in prison, where they met seven thieves: Saturninus, Iakischolus, Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius and Mammius. The Apostles converted them to Christ. For their confession of Christ, the seven prisoners died as martyrs in a cauldron of molten tar, wax and sulfur. prison guard, after witnessing their martyrdom, declared himself a Christian. For this they cut off his left hand, then both feet and finally his head. The governor ordered the Apostles Jason and Sosipater to be whipped and again locked up in prison. the daughter of the governor of Kerkyra (Korfu), the maiden, learned how Christians were suffering for Christ, she declared herself a Christian and gave away all her finery to the poor. The infuriated governor attempted to persuade his daughter to deny Christ, but Saint Kerkyra stood firm against both persuasion and threats. Then the enraged father devised a terrible punishment for his daughter: he gave orders that she be placed in a prison cell with the robber and murderer Murinus, so that he might defile the betrothed of Christ when the robber approached the door of the prison cell, a bear attacked him. Saint Kerkyra heard the noise and she drove off the beast in the name of Christ. Then, by her prayers, she healed the wounds of Murinus. Then Saint Kerkyra enlightened him with the faith of Christ, and Saint Murinus declared himself a Christian and was executed. governor gave orders to burn down the prison, but the holy virgin remained alive. Then on her enraged father’s order, she was suspended upon a tree, choked with bitter smoke and shot with arrows. After her death, the governor decided to execute all the Christians on the island of Kerkyra. The Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis, after being enlightened by Saints Jason and Sosipater, were burned alive. inhabitants of Kerkyra, escaping from the persecution, crossed to an adjoining island. The governor set sail with a detachment of soldiers, but was swallowed up by the waves. The governor succeeding him gave orders to throw the Apostles Jason and Sosipater into a cauldron of boiling tar. When he beheld them unharmed, he cried out with tears, “O God of Jason and Sosipater, have mercy on me!” been set free, the Apostles baptized the governor and gave him the name Sebastian. With his help, the Apostles Jason and Sosipater built several churches on the island, and increased the flock of Christ by their fervent preaching. They lived there until they reached old age. Apostle Sosipater of the Seventy, Commemorated November 10; Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. The holy Apostles Erastus, Sosipater (April 28), Olympas (January 4), Rodion (April 8), Quartus and Tertius (October 30) were disciples of Saint Paul. They all lived during the first century. Apostle to the Gentiles speaks of them in the Epistle to the Romans, “And Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother” (Rom 16: 23). Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21. Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified. Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut. Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died.

Rome, 66-70, Acasius of Apamea, Martyr, brought to 3 governors, Syria, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Phrygia
Syria, 66-70, Martyr Acasius of Apamea, brought to 3 governors, Syria, Greece, Phrygia; Apamea, Syria; Martyr Acacius of Apamea, Commemorated July 28 ; Holy Martyr Acacius was brought to trial for his belief in Christ. Three governors attempted to compel the holy martyr to offer sacrifice to idols, having subjected him to fierce tortures. Governor Licinius gave orders to rend the body of Saint Acacius with instruments of torture. He then sent him to Governor Terence, who gave orders to throw Acacius into a cauldron filled with boiling tar and tallow, but the martyr remained unharmed. Terence went to the cities of Apamea and Apollonia and gave orders to bring the martyr after him. In one of these cities Saint Acacius was led into a pagan temple, but by his prayer all the idols there fell down. beat the saint viciously and gave him over to be eaten by wild beasts. When they saw that he remained unharmed, they threw him into a red-hot furnace. The martyr also remained unharmed there. The governor, wanting to check whether the furnace was sufficiently hot, went near it and was burned himself. They then took the holy Martyr Acacius for torture to a certain Posidonius, who put heavy fetters on the holy martyr and gave orders to take him to the city of Miletus. There also the saint, by his prayer, destroyed idols. Finally, the exhausted torturers beheaded Saint Acacius. A priest by the name of Leontius buried his body in the city of Synados (Asia Minor).

Rome, 67, Dormition of the Theotokos at Holy Sepulchre, Gethsemane
Dormition of the Theotokos at Holy Sepulchre, Gethsemane; the time of Her blessed Falling Asleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary was again at Jerusalem. Her fame as the Mother of God had already spread throughout the land and had aroused many of the envious and the spiteful against Her. They wanted to make attempts on Her life; but God preserved Her from enemies. and night She spent her time in prayer. The Most Holy Theotokos went often to the Holy Sepulchre of the Lord, and here She offered up fevent prayer. More than once, enemies of the Savior sought to hinder Her from visiting her holy place, and they asked the High Priest for a guard to watch over the Grave of the Lord. The Holy Virgin continued to pray right in front of them, yet unseen by anyone. one such visit to Golgotha, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and announced Her approaching departure from this life to eternal life. In pledge of this, the Archangel gave Her a palm branch. With these heavenly tidings the Mother of God returned to Bethlehem with the three girls attending Her (Sepphora, Abigail, and Jael). She summoned Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and other disciples of the Lord, and told them of Her impending Repose. Most Holy Virgin prayed also that the Lord would have the Apostle John come to Her. The Holy Spirit transported him from Ephesus, setting him in that very place where the Mother of God lay. After the prayer, the Most Holy Virgin offered incense, and John heard a voice from Heaven, closing Her prayer with the word “Amen.” The Mother of God took it that the voice meant the speedy arrival of the Apostles and the Disciples and the holy Bodiless Powers. faithful, whose number by then was impossible to count, gathered together, says Saint John of Damascus, like clouds and eagles, to listen to the Mother of God. Seeing one another, the Disciples rejoiced, but in their confusion they asked each other why the Lord had gathered them together in one place. Saint John the Theologian, greeting them with tears of joy, said that the time of the Virgin’s repose was at hand. in to the Mother of God, they beheld Her lying upon the bed, and filled with spiritual joy. The Disciples greeted Her, and then they told her how they had been carried miraculously from their places of preaching. The Most Holy Virgin Mary glorified God, because He had heard Her prayer and fulfilled Her heart’s desire, and She began speaking about Her imminent end. this conversation the Apostle Paul also appeared in a miraculous manner together with his disciples Dionysius the Areopagite, Saint Hierotheus, Saint Timothy and others of the Seventy Apostles. The Holy Spirit had gathered them all together so that they might be granted the blessing of the All-Pure Virgin Mary, and more fittingly to see to the burial of the Mother of the Lord. She called each of them to Herself by name, She blessed them and extolled them for their faith and the hardships they endured in preaching the Gospel of Christ. To each She wished eternal bliss, and prayed with them for the peace and welfare of the whole world. came the third hour (9 A.M.), when the Dormition of the Mother of God was to occur. A number of candles were burning. The holy Disciples surrounded her beautifully adorned bed, offering praise to God. She prayed in anticipation of Her demise and of the arrival of Her longed-for Son and Lord. Suddenly, the inexpressible Light of Divine Glory shone forth, before which the blazing candles paled in comparison. All who saw it took fright. Descending from Heaven was Christ, the King of Glory, surrounded by hosts of Angels and Archangels and other Heavenly Powers, together with the souls of the Forefathers and the Prophets, who had prophesied in ages past concerning the Most Holy Virgin Mary. Her Son, the Mother of God exclaimed: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God My Savior, for He hath regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden” (Luke 1:46-48) and, rising from Her bed to meet the Lord, She bowed down to Him, and the Lord bid Her enter into Life Eternal. Without any bodily suffering, as though in a happy sleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave Her soul into the hands of Her Son and God. began a joyous angelic song. Accompanying the pure soul of the God-betrothed and with reverent awe for the Queen of Heaven, the angels exclaimed: “Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee, blessed art Thou among women! For lo, the Queen, God’s Maiden comes, lift up the gates, and with the Ever-Existing One, take up the Mother of Light; for through Her salvation has come to all the human race. It is impossible to gaze upon Her, and it is impossible to render Her due honor” (Stikherion on “Lord, I Have Cried”). The Heavenly gates were raised, and meeting the soul of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Cherubim and the Seraphim glorified Her with joy. The face of the Mother of God was radiant with the glory of Divine virginity, and from Her body there came a sweet fragrance. Holy Sepulchre of the Lord; Righteous Joseph of Arimathea, Commemorated on July 31 ; the Crucifixion and Death of the Savior he made bold to go to Pilate and ask him for the Body of the Lord, to Which he gave burial with the help of Righteous Νikόdēmos, who was also a secret disciple of the Lord. took down the Body of the Savior from the Cross, wrapped it in a winding-cloth, and placed it in a new tomb, in which no one had ever been buried, in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the presence of the Mother of God and the holy Myrrh-Bearing Women (St Joseph had prepared this tomb for himself). Having rolled a heavy stone before the entrance of the tomb, they departed (John. 19: 37-42; Mt. 27: 57-61; Mark 15: 43-47; Luke. 24: 50-56) The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on August 15; and night She spent her time in prayer. The Most Holy Theotokos went often to the Holy Sepulchre of the Lord, and here She offered up fevent prayer. More than once, enemies of the Savior sought to hinder Her from visiting her holy place, and they asked the High Priest for a guard to watch over the Grave of the Lord. The Holy Virgin continued to pray right in front of them, yet unseen by anyone. one such visit to Golgotha, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and announced Her approaching departure from this life to eternal life. In pledge of this, the Archangel gave Her a palm branch. With these heavenly tidings the Mother of God returned to Bethlehem with the three girls attending Her (Sepphora, Abigail, and Jael). She summoned Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and other disciples of the Lord, and told them of Her impending Repose.

Rome, 67-76, Linus, Pope, was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome
Rome, 67-76, Roman Pope, Linus; Linus (died c. AD 76) was the second bishop of Rome. His pontificate lasted from c. AD 67 to his death. As with all the early popes, he was later canonized. those to have been pope, Peter, Linus, and Clement I are specifically named in the New Testament.[1] Linus is mentioned in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. Apostle Linus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 5; Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Saint Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Saint Hermes was bishop in the city of Philippoplis where he died a martyr. Saint Linus (2 Tim 4:21) was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome. Saint Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. The Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region).

Rome, 67-96, Dionysius, Areopagite, Important Orthodox writer, spiritual principles&deification, holy mysteries
Greece, 30-96, Saint, Dionysius the Areopagite ; Hill of Ares (The Aeropagus): Areopagus (both a place and a judicial body); Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Dionysius lived originally in the city of Athens. He was raised there and received a classical Greek education. He then went to Egypt, where he studied astronomy at the city of Heliopolis. It was in Heliopolis, along with his friend Apollophonos where he witnessed the solar eclipse that occurred at the moment of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ by Crucifixion. “Either the Creator of all the world now suffers, or this visible world is coming to an end,” Dionysius said. Upon his return to Athens from Egypt, he was chosen to be a member of the Areopagus Council (Athenian high court). the holy Apostle Paul preached at the place on the Hill of Ares (Acts 17:16-34), Dionysius accepted his salvific proclamation and became a Christian. For three years Saint Dionysius remained a companion of the holy Apostle Paul in preaching the Word of God. Later on, the Apostle Paul selected him as bishop of the city of Athens. And in the year 57 Saint Dionysius was present at the repose of the Most Holy Theotokos. the lifetime of the Mother of God, Saint Dionysius had journeyed from Athens to Jerusalem to meet Her. He wrote to his teacher the Apostle Paul: “I witness by God, that besides the very God Himself, there is nothing else filled with such divine power and grace. No one can fully comprehend what I saw. I confess before God: when I was with John, who shone among the Apostles like the sun in the sky, when I was brought before the countenance of the Most Holy Virgin, I experienced an inexpressible sensation. Before me gleamed a sort of divine radiance which transfixed my spirit. I perceived the fragrance of indescribable aromas and was filled with such delight that my very body became faint, and my spirit could hardly endure these signs and marks of eternal majesty and heavenly power. The grace from her overwhelmed my heart and shook my very spirit. If I did not have in mind your instruction, I should have mistaken Her for the very God. It is impossible to stand before greater blessedness than this which I beheld.” the death of the Apostle Paul, Saint Dionysius wanted to continue with his work, and therefore went off preaching in the West, accompanied by the Presbyter Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius. They converted many to Christ at Rome, and then in Germany, and then in Spain. In Gaul, during a persecution against Christians by the pagan authorities, all three confessors were arrested and thrown into prison. By night Saint Dionysius celebrated the Divine Liturgy with angels of the Lord. In the morning the martyrs were beheaded. According to an old tradition, Saint Dionysius took up his head, proceeded with it to the church and fell down dead there. A pious woman named Catulla buried the relics of the saint. writings of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite hold great significance for the Orthodox Church. Four books of his have survived to the present day: On the Celestial Hierarchy On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy On the Names of God On Mystical Theology In additional, there are ten letters to various people. book On the Celestial Hierarchies was written actually in one of the countries of Western Europe, where Saint Dionysius was preaching. In it he speaks of the Christian teaching about the angelic world. The angelic (or Celestial-Heavenly) hierarchy comprises the nine angelic Ranks: Seraphim Cherubim Thrones Dominions Powers Authorities Principalities Archangels Angels account of the Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven is located under November 8. purpose of the divinely-established Angelic Hierarchy is the ascent towards godliness through purification, enlightenment and perfection. The highest ranks are bearers of divine light and divine life for the lower ranks. And not only are the sentient, bodiless angelic hosts included in the spiritual light-bearing hierarchy, but also the human race, created anew and sanctified in the Church of Christ. book of Saint Dionysius On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchies is a continuation of his book On the Celestial Hierarchies. The Church of Christ, like the Angelic ranks, in its universal service is set upon the foundation of priestly principles established by God. the earthly world, for the children of the Church, divine grace comes down indescribably in the holy Mysteries of the Church, which are spiritual in nature, though perceptible to the senses in form. Few, even among the holy ascetics, were able to behold with their earthly eyes the fiery vision of the Holy Mysteries of God. But outside of the Church’s sacraments, outside of Baptism and the Eucharist, the light-bearing saving grace of God is not found, neither is divine knowledge nor theosis (deification). book On the Names of God expounds upon the way of divine knowledge through a progression of the Divine Names. Dionysius’ book On Mystical Theology also sets forth the teaching about divine knowledge. The theology of the Orthodox Church is totally based upon experience of divine knowledge. In order to know God it is necessary to be in proximity to Him, to have come near to Him in some measure, so as to attain communion with God and deification (theosis). This condition is accomplished through prayer. This is not because prayer in itself brings us close to the incomprehensible God, but rather that the purity of heart in true prayer brings us closer to God. written works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite are of extraordinary significance in the theology of the Orthodox Church, and also for late Medieval Western theology. For almost four centuries, until the beginning of the sixth century, the works of this holy Father of the Church were preserved in an obscure manuscript tradition, primarily by theologians of the Alexandrian Church. The concepts in these works were known and utilized by Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Dionysius the Great, pre-eminent figures of the catechetical school in Alexandria, and also by Saint Gregory the Theologian. Saint Dionysius of Alexandria wrote to Saint Gregory the Theologian a Commentary on the “Areopagitum.” The works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite received general Church recognition during the sixth-seventh centuries. relevant are the Commentaries written by Saint Maximus the Confessor (January 21). (trans. note: although many scholars suggest that the “Areopagitum” was actually written by an anonymous sixth century figure who employed the common ancient device of piously borrowing an illustrious name, this in no way diminishes the profound theological significance of the works.) the Russian Orthodox Church the teachings of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite about the spiritual principles and deification were at first known through the writings of Saint John of Damascus (December 4). The first Slavonic translation of the “Areopagitum” was done on Mt. Athos in about the year 1371 by a monk named Isaiah. Copies of it were widely distributed in Russia. Many of them have been preserved to the present day in historic manuscript collections, among which is a parchment manuscript “Works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite” belonging to Saint Cyprian, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus (September 16) in his own handwriting. to one tradition, he was killed at Lutetia (ancient name of Paris, France) in the year 96 during the persecution under the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96). Today most scholars and theologians believe that Saint Dionysius the Areopagite did not die in Gaul, and that Saint Dionysius (or Denys) of Paris is a different saint with the same name. Demetrius of Rostov says that the Hieromartyr Dionysius was beheaded in Athens, and that many miracles were worked at his grave.

Rome, 68-69, Emperor, Three Emperors, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius
Roman Emperor, 68-69, Three Emperors, Galba; Roman Emperor, 68-69, Three Emperors, Otho; Roman Emperor, 68-69, Three Emperors, Vitellius; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; 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 Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 7; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Commemorated on October 1 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated on October 7; Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus, Commemorated on October 9; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Commemorated on October 18; LUKE THE EVANGELIST, (18 OCTOBER) ; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 10; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifulÂ, Commemorated on November 12; Apostle Archippus the Martyr of the Seventy, Commemorated on November 22; Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apelles of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19;

Rome, 68-100, Hieromartyrs of Myra, Bishop Nicander, Presbyter Hermas, by Titus, converted many, torments but help
Lycia, 68-100, Hieromartyrs of Myra, Bishop Nicander, Presbyter Hermas; Myra, Lycia; Hieromartyr Nicander the Bishop of Myra, Commemorated on November 4 ; Hieromartyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and Hermas the Presbyter, were disciples of the holy Apostle Paul’s follower and fellow ascetic, the holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy (August 25), and they were ordained by him to the priesthood. the ascetic life amid incessant pastoral works, the saints converted many pagans to Christ. For this they were arrested and brought before the city prefect, Libanius. Neither flattery nor threats swayed the holy martyrs to renounce Christ. Then Libanius gave orders that they be tortured. saints endured fierce and inhuman torments: they were tied to horses and dragged over stones, their bodies were raked with iron hooks, and they were cast into a hot oven. The Lord helped them endure things that a mere man by his own strength could not endure. Towards the end, iron nails were hammered into their heads and hearts. They were thrown into a pit, then covered over with earth. enduring such a cruel death, now they live forever in the joy of the Lord (Mt. 25:21). Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated on August 25; such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun. Titus, Apostle of the Seventy was a native of the island of Crete, the son of an illustrious pagan. In his youth he studied Hellenistic philosophy and the ancient poets. by the sciences, Titus led a virtuous life, not devoting himself to the vices and passions characteristic of the majority of pagans. He preserved his virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (December 20) testifies of him. such a manner of life the Lord did not leave him without His help. At age twenty Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, suggesting that he abandon Hellenistic wisdom, which could not provide salvation for his soul, but rather to seek that which would save him. After this dream, Saint Titus waited yet another year, since it was not actually a command, but it did guide him to familiarize himself with the teachings of the prophets of God. first that he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it to the 47th Chapter, he was struck by the words, speaking as it were about his own spiritual condition. news reached Crete about the appearance of a Great Prophet in Palestine, and about the great miracles He worked, the governor of the island of Crete (an uncle of Titus) sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Who came into the world for the redemption of the race of mankind from the oppression of ancestral sin. Jerusalem, Saint Titus saw the Lord. He heard His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering and death of the Savior on the Cross, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. On the day of Pentecost the future apostle heard how the Twelve Apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, spoke in various languages, among which was the Cretan language (Acts 2: 11). Titus accepted Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied Saint Paul on his missionary journeys, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He was involved in establishing new churches, and was with Paul in Jerusalem. Titus was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and was made Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, not long before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral epistle to his son in the Faith (Tit. 1: 4). the Apostle Paul was taken like a criminal to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, Saint Titus left his flock in Crete for a time and went to Rome to be of service to his spiritual Father. After Saint Paul’s death by martyrdom, Titus returned to Gortyna, the chief city of Crete. Titus peacefully guided his flock and toiled at enlightening the pagans with the light of faith in Christ. He was granted the gift of wonderworking by the Lord. During one of the pagan feasts in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to a crowd of pagans. he saw that they would not listen to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show to the mistaken people the falseness of idols. By the prayer of Saint Titus, the idol of Diana fell down and shattered before the eyes of all. Another time Saint Titus prayed that the Lord would not permit the completion of a temple of Zeus, and it collapsed. such miracles Saint Titus brought many to faith in Christ. After bringing the light of faith to the surrounding regions, Saint Titus died peacefully at the age of 97. At the time of his death, his face shone like the sun.

Rome, 69-79, Emperor, Vespasian, military success, into Britain and Jerusalem
Roman Emperor, 69-79, Vespasian ; (17 November AD 9 - 23 June 79) was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. The fourth and last in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty that ruled the Empire for 27 years. was the first emperor from an equestrian family and only rose into the senatorial rank as the first member of his family later in his lifetime. renown came from his military success; he was legate of Legio II Augusta during the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 and subjugated Judaea during the Jewish rebellion of 66.[4] Vespasian besieged Jerusalem during the Jewish rebellion, emperor Nero committed suicide and plunged Rome into a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. After Galba and Otho perished in quick succession, Vitellius became emperor in April 69. The Roman legions of Roman Egypt and Judaea reacted by declaring Vespasian, their commander, the emperor on 1 July 69.[5] In his bid for imperial power, Vespasian joined forces with Mucianus, the governor of Syria, and Primus, a general in Pannonia, leaving his son Titus to command the besieging forces at Jerusalem. Primus and Mucianus led the Flavian forces against Vitellius, while Vespasian took control of Egypt. On 20 December 69, Vitellius was defeated, and the following day Vespasian was declared emperor by the Senate.[6] information survives about the government during Vespasian's ten-year rule. He reformed the financial system of Rome after the campaign against Judaea ended successfully, and initiated several ambitious construction projects, including the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known today as the Roman Colosseum. Through his general Agricola, Vespasian increased imperial expansion in Britain. After he died in 79, he was succeeded by his eldest son Titus, thus becoming the first Roman emperor to be succeeded by his natural son and establishing the Flavian dynasty. St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; 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 Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Apostle Aristarchus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 27; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated on October 7; Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, Commemorated on October 11; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifuÂ, Commemorated on November 12; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Apostle Zacchaeus, Commemorated on April 20; Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 17 ; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19; Martyr Leontius at Tripoli in Syria, Commemorated on June 18 ;

Rome, 70 AD, Jerusalem Temple Destruction, Seige of Jerusalem, by the Romans
Jerusalem, 70 AD, Jerusalem Temple Destruction; Prophet Habakkuk, Commemorated on December 2 ;

Rome, 70 1st Century, Tryphaina, Cyzikus, confessed to strengthen weak, tortures, spring for women needing milk
Constantinople, 70 1st Century, Tryphaina, Cyzikus (Sea of Marmara, between Troy and Constantinople) she boldly confessed to strengthen those weak, tortures, firery furnace, tall tree into nails, wild animals, mad bull, spring pure water where her blood shed, for women who did not have milk; Cyzicus Martyr Tryphaina at Cyzicus, Commemorated January 31; Tryphaina was from Kyzikos on the Hellespont and was the daughter of devout parents, Senator Anastasios and his virtuous wife Sokratia. revealed her Christian upbringing and courage during a persecution where, in order to strengthen those who were weak, she boldly confessed her faith in Christ, and in the ultimate triumph of Orthodoxy. As soon as the ruler Caesarius heard these things he became enraged and ordered the Saint's arrest. His order was carried out and the tortures began. Saint Tryphaina was pushed into a fiery furnace, but miraculously, she was saved. Then, she was thrown from a tall tree, onto a bed of iron nails. Afterward, she was given to some wild animals to be devoured by them, but they did not harm her. Finally, she was gored by a mad bull. In this manner, the Saint received the glorious crown of martyrdom in the first century. is said that a spring of pure water welled up at the place where Saint Tryphaίnē's blood was shed. After drinking this water, women who gave birth, but did not have any milk, were able to produce milk to feed their newborn children. Tryphaina is invoked by women who have difficulty in nursing their babies.

Rome, 79-81, Emperor, Titus, commander, pretorian guard, Colosseum, Mt Vesuvius, died of a fever after 2 yrs
Roman Emperor, 79-81, Titus ; Caesar Vespasianus (/ˈtaɪtəs/ TY-təs; 30 December 39 – 13 September 81 AD) was Roman emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death. becoming emperor, Titus gained renown as a military commander, serving under his father in Judea during the First Jewish–Roman War. The campaign came to a brief halt with the death of emperor Nero in 68, launching Vespasian's bid for the imperial power during the Year of the Four Emperors. When Vespasian was declared Emperor on 1 July 69, Titus was left in charge of ending the Jewish rebellion. In 70, he besieged and captured Jerusalem, and destroyed the city and the Second Temple. For this achievement Titus was awarded a triumph; the Arch of Titus commemorates his victory to this day. his father's rule, Titus gained notoriety in Rome serving as prefect of the Praetorian Guard, and for carrying on a controversial relationship with the Jewish queen Berenice. Despite concerns over his character, Titus ruled to great acclaim following the death of Vespasian in 79, and was considered a good emperor by Suetonius and other contemporary historians. emperor, Titus is best known for completing the Colosseum and for his generosity in relieving the suffering caused by two disasters, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and a fire in Rome in 80. After barely two years in office, Titus died of a fever on 13 September 81. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian. St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; Commemoration of the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) at Jerusalem, Commemorated on September 13; Greatmartyr Eustathius (Eustace) Placidas with his wife and children of Rome, Commemorated on September 20; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6 ; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated on October 7; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19;

Rome, 80-90, Saint Fulvianus, Mirmena, Jesus, wooden rod, spring, Matthew burned at stake, Fulvianus-Matthew
Africa, East Africa, 80-90, Saint Fulvianus, Mirmena (Asmara or Massawa), Jesus, wooden rod, plant it in Mirmena, sprouted immediately, delicious fruit, spring welled up, healing waters, Matthew burned at stake, Fulvianus-Matthew ; Saint Fulvianus (in Baptism Matthew), Prince of Ethiopia, Commemorated on November 16; is believed that after the day of Pentecost, the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew preached the Gospel first in Palestine, and then in Syria, Media, Persia, Parthia and finally, Ethiopia. holds that the Lord appeared to Saint Matthew, giving him a wooden rod and instructing him to plant it in a particular place in Ethiopia. his arrival at the place in Ethiopia described by the Lord, he met a Bishop named Platon. rod was planted, as the Lord had instructed, and almost immediately it sprouted leaves and grew into a beautiful tree, the fruit of which was delicious. spring also welled up nearby, the water of which could heal the sick. Ethiopians were won over to Christ, although the local sovereign Prince, Fulvianus, a dedicated pagan, was violently opposed to this and, by his order, Saint Matthew was arrested and burned at the stake. time, however, Fulvianus came to doubt his action and agonized over his horrific act. His conscience beckoned him towards Christ. Ultimately, he embraced the Christian faith and was baptized, taking the name "Matthew." the elderly Bishop Platon reposed, Saint Fulvianus-Matthew was consecrated to the episcopacy and succeeded him. He spent his remaining years preaching the Gospel and winning his people to the Church.

Rome, 81-96, Emperor, Dometian, Pagan, authority, cut Senate powers, economy, b defense, m building p, wars, k by S
Roman Emperor, 81-96, Dometian ; (24 October 51 - 18 September 96) was Roman emperor from 81 to 96. He was the son of Vespasian and the younger brother of Titus, his two predecessors on the throne, and the last member of the Flavian dynasty. his reign, the authoritarian nature of his rule put him at sharp odds with the Senate, whose powers he drastically curtailed. had a minor and largely ceremonial role during the reigns of his father and brother. After the death of his brother, Domitian was declared emperor by the Praetorian Guard. 15-year reign was the longest since that of Tiberius.[5] As emperor, Domitian strengthened the economy by revaluing the Roman coinage, expanded the border defenses of the empire, and initiated a massive building program to restore the damaged city of Rome. wars were fought in Britain, where his general Agricola attempted to conquer Caledonia (Scotland), and in Dacia, where Domitian was unable to procure a decisive victory against King Decebalus. Domitian's government exhibited strong authoritarian characteristics. Religious, military, and cultural propaganda fostered a cult of personality, and by nominating himself perpetual censor, he sought to control public and private morals. a consequence, Domitian was popular with the people and army, but considered a tyrant by members of the Roman Senate. reign came to an end in 96 when he was assassinated by court officials. He was succeeded the same day by his advisor Nerva. After his death, Domitian's memory was condemned to oblivion by the Senate, while senatorial authors such as Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and Suetonius propagated the view of Domitian as a cruel and paranoid tyrant. revisionists instead have characterized Domitian as a ruthless but efficient autocrat whose cultural, economic, and political programs provided the foundation of the peaceful second century. Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated on October 3; Martyr Julian the Presbyter at Terracina, Commemorated on October 7; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (27 DEC NT); Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Timothy of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 22; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; St Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia, Commemorated on March 24 ; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19; Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France, Commemorated on June 3;

Rome, 89-155, Polycarp, Smyrna Bishop, assisted Theologian, ange widow raised him, flames not touch, stabbed creamated
Ephesus, 89-155, Polycarp, Smyrna (Izmir, Hemus River Mouth, Ephesus vicinity), fruitful in every good work, Jesus time, orphaned, angel had him raised by widow, gave possessions, Chaste life, caring sick, friend of Bishop Bucolus who ordained him and made him bishop, accompanied still alive John Theologian, as bishop Lord Jesus appeared to him, Ignatius wrote to Polycarp the father of all christians, to be burned alive, flames not touch him, stabbed and creamated; Smyrna; 2. Smyrna in Revelation 2: 8-11, Message to Smyrna ; Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated February 23 ; Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. He was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by the pious widow Kallista. the death of his adoptive mother, Polycarp gave away his possessions and began to lead a chaste life, caring for the sick and the infirm. was very fond of and close to Saint Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna (February 6). He ordained Polycarp as deacon, entrusting to him to preach the Word of God in church. He also ordained him to the holy priesthood. holy Apostle John the Theologian was still alive at this time. Saint Polycarp was especially close to Saint John, and sometimes accompanied him on his apostolic journeys. before his death, Saint Bucolus expressed his wish that Polycarp be made Bishop of Smyrna. Saint Polycarp was consecrated as a bishop, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him. Polycarp guided his flock with apostolic zeal, and he was also greatly loved by the clergy. Ignatius the God-Bearer of Antioch (December 20) also had a high regard for him. Setting out for Rome where execution awaited him, he wrote to Saint Polycarp, “This age is in need of you if it is to reach God, just as pilots need winds, and as a storm-tossed sailor needs a port.” emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) came to the Roman throne and started up a most fierce persecution against Christians. The pagans demanded that the judge search for Saint Polycarp, “the father of all the Christians” and “the seducer of all Asia.” this time Saint Polycarp, at the persistent urging of his flock, stayed in a small village not far from Smyrna. the soldiers came for him, he went out to them and invited them in to eat. He asked for time to pray, in order to prepare himself for martyrdom. suffering and death are recorded in the “Epistle of the Christians of the Church of Smyrna to the Other Churches,” one of the most ancient memorials of Christian literature. been brought to trial, Saint Polycarp firmly confessed his faith in Christ, and was condemned to be burned alive. The executioners wanted to nail him to a post, but he declared that God would give him the strength to endure the flames, so they could merely tie him with ropes. flames encircled the saint but did not touch him, coming together over his head in the shape of a vault. Seeing that the fire did him no harm, the pagans stabbed him with a dagger. So much blood flowed from this wound that it extinguished the flames. body of the hieromartyr Polycarp was then cremated. The Christians of Smyrna reverently gathered up what remained of his holy relics, and each year they celebrated the day of his martyrdom. story has been preserved about Saint Polycarp by his disciple, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, which Eusebius cites in his ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY (V, 20): “I was still very young when I saw you in Asia Minor at Polycarp’s,” writes Saint Irenaeus to his friend Florinus, “but I would still be able to point out the place where Blessed Polycarp sat and conversed, and be able to depict his walk, his mannerisms in life, his outward appearance, his speaking to people, his companionable wandering with John, and how he himself related, together with other eyewitnesses of the Lord, those things that he remembered from the words of others. He also told what he heard from them about the Lord, His teachings and miracles.... “Through the mercy of God to me, I then already listened attentively to Polycarp and wrote down his words, not on tablets, but in the depths of my heart. I am able to bear witness before God, that if this blessed and apostolic Elder heard something similar to your fallacy, he would immediately stop up his ears and express his indignation with his usual phrase: ‘Good God! That Thou hast permitted me to be alive at such a time!’” his life the holy bishop wrote several Epistles to the flock and letters to various individuals. The only one that has survived to the present day is his Epistle to the Philippians which, Saint Jerome testifies, was read in the churches of Asia Minor at divine services. It was written by the saint in response to the request of the Philippians to send them some letters of the hieromartyr Ignatius (December 20) which Saint Polycarp had in his possession. composer H.I.F. Bibier (1644-1704) has written a Sonata “Scti Polycarpi” for eight trumpets in honor of the holy martyr.

Rome, 89-156, Polycarp, Roman Saint, Smyrna, close to J t theologian and Iraneous, alive in t fire, stabbed, fire out
Rome, 89-156, Roman Saint in Smyrna, Polycarp; Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 23; Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), was born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by the pious widow Kallista. the death of his adoptive mother, Polycarp gave away his possessions and began to lead a chaste life, caring for the sick and the infirm. was very fond of and close to Saint Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna (February 6). He ordained Polycarp as deacon, entrusting to him to preach the Word of God in church. He also ordained him to the holy priesthood. holy Apostle John the Theologian was still alive at this time. Saint Polycarp was especially close to Saint John, and sometimes accompanied him on his apostolic journeys. before his death, Saint Bucolus expressed his wish that Polycarp be made Bishop of Smyrna. When Saint Polycarp was consecrated as a bishop, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him. Polycarp guided his flock with apostolic zeal, and he was also greatly loved by the clergy. Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer of Antioch (December 20) also had a high regard for him. Setting out for Rome where execution awaited him, he wrote to Saint Polycarp, “This age is in need of you if it is to reach God, just as pilots need winds, and as a storm-tossed sailor needs a port.” emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) came to the Roman throne and started up a most fierce persecution against Christians. The pagans demanded that the judge search for Saint Polycarp, “the father of all the Christians” and “the seducer of all Asia.” this time Saint Polycarp, at the persistent urging of his flock, stayed in a small village not far from Smyrna. When the soldiers came for him, he went out to them and invited them in to eat. He asked for time to pray, in order to prepare himself for martyrdom. suffering and death are recorded in the “Epistle of the Christians of the Church of Smyrna to the Other Churches,” one of the most ancient memorials of Christian literature. been brought to trial, Saint Polycarp firmly confessed his faith in Christ, and was condemned to be burned alive. The executioners wanted to nail him to a post, but he declared that God would give him the strength to endure the flames, so they could merely tie him with ropes. flames encircled the saint but did not touch him, coming together over his head in the shape of a vault. Seeing that the fire did him no harm, the pagans stabbed him with a dagger. So much blood flowed from this wound that it extinguished the flames. The body of the hieromartyr Polycarp was then cremated. The Christians of Smyrna reverently gathered up what remained of his holy relics, and each year they celebrated the day of his martyrdom. story has been preserved about Saint Polycarp by his disciple, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, which Eusebius cites in his ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY (V, 20): “I was still very young when I saw you in Asia Minor at Polycarp’s,” writes Saint Irenaeus to his friend Florinus, “but I would still be able to point out the place where Blessed Polycarp sat and conversed, and be able to depict his walk, his mannerisms in life, his outward appearance, his speaking to people, his companionable wandering with John, and how he himself related, together with other eyewitnesses of the Lord, those things that he remembered from the words of others. He also told what he heard from them about the Lord, His teachings and miracles.... “Through the mercy of God to me, I then already listened attentively to Polycarp and wrote down his words, not on tablets, but in the depths of my heart. Therefore, I am able to bear witness before God, that if this blessed and apostolic Elder heard something similar to your fallacy, he would immediately stop up his ears and express his indignation with his usual phrase: ‘Good God! That Thou hast permitted me to be alive at such a time!’” his life the holy bishop wrote several Epistles to the flock and letters to various individuals. The only one that has survived to the present day is his Epistle to the Philippians which, Saint Jerome testifies, was read in the churches of Asia Minor at divine services. It was written by the saint in response to the request of the Philippians to send them some letters of the hieromartyr Ignatius (December 20) which Saint Polycarp had in his possession. The composer H.I.F. Bibier (1644-1704) has written a Sonata “Scti Polycarpi” for eight trumpets in honor of the holy martyr. Hieromartyr Pionius of Smyrna and those with him, Commemorated on March 11;

Rome, 92-101, 3rd Roman Pope, Clement I, miraculous ebbing of the sea r shrine c his bones, anchor
Roman Pope, 88-99, Clement I ; Hieromartyr Eutyches the Disciple of St John the Theologian, Commemorated on August 24; Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, Commemorated August 25 ; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP (23 NOV 100); Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; St Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip, Commemorated on February 17; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Hieromartyr Lucian the Bishop at Beauvais in France, Commemorated on June 3;

Rome, 96-98, Emperor, Nerva, old, restored liberties, adopted Trajan
Roman Emperor, 96-98, Nerva ; (8 November 30 - 28 January 98) was Roman emperor from 96 to 98. Nerva became emperor when aged almost 66, after a lifetime of imperial service under Nero and the rulers of the Flavian dynasty. Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial entourage and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65. Later, as a loyalist to the Flavians, he attained consulships in 71 and 90 during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian, respectively. 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate, although it is possible they were approving a decision made by the Praetorian Guard, as rare coins show him speaking with this group. the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties which had been curtailed during the autocratic government of Domitian. brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October 97 essentially forced him to adopt an heir. After some deliberation Nerva adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor. After barely fifteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on 28 January 98. Upon his death he was succeeded and deified by Trajan. much of his life remains obscure, Nerva was considered a wise and moderate emperor by ancient historians. Nerva's greatest success was his ability to ensure a peaceful transition of power after his death by selecting Trajan as his heir, thus founding the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.

Rome, 98-117, Emperor, Trajan, Pagan, best ruler, military expansion, socialist, adopted by Nerva
Roman Emperor, 98-117, Trajan ; (18 September 53 - c. 9 August 117) was Roman emperor from 98 to 117. Officially declared by the Senate optimus princeps (best ruler), Trajan is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the second-greatest military expansion in Roman history, after Augustus, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. He is also known for his philanthropic rule, overseeing extensive public building programs and implementing social welfare policies, which earned him his enduring reputation as the second of the Five Good Emperors who presided over an era of peace within the Empire and prosperity in the Mediterranean world. was born in Italica, close to modern Seville in present-day Spain, an Italic settlement in the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. Although misleadingly designated by some later writers as a provincial, his Ulpia gens came from Umbria and he was born a Roman citizen.[3] rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in 89 Trajan supported Domitian against a revolt on the Rhine led by Antonius Saturninus. In September 96, Domitian was succeeded by the old and childless Nerva, who proved to be unpopular with the army. After a brief and tumultuous year in power, culminating in a revolt by members of the Praetorian Guard, he decided to adopt the more popular Trajan as his heir and successor. died in 98 and was succeeded by his adopted son without incident. a civilian administrator, Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city of Rome and left numerous enduring landmarks such as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market and Trajan's Column. in his reign, he annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, creating the province of Arabia Petraea. conquest of Dacia enriched the empire greatly, as the new province possessed many valuable gold mines. war against the Parthian Empire ended with the sack of the capital Ctesiphon and the annexation of Armenia and Mesopotamia. campaigns expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent. late 117, while sailing back to Rome, Trajan fell ill and died of a stroke in the city of Selinus. He was deified by the Senate and his ashes were laid to rest under the Trajan's Column. He was succeeded by his cousin Hadrian, whom Trajan supposedly adopted on his deathbed. Martyr Hilary of Ancyra, Commemorated July 12 ; St Julian the Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul, Commemorated July 13 ; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Martyr Florus of Illyria, Commemorated on August 18; Martyr Hermes of Rome, Commemorated on August 18; Martyr Aristion the Bishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on September 3 ; Martyr Hermione the Daughter of St Philip the Deacon, Commemorated on September 4; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated September 5 ; Martyr Romulus and with him many others, Commemorated September 6 ; Greatmartyr Eustathius (Eustace) Placidas with his wife and children of Rome, Commemorated on September 20; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 21; Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22; St Xanthippe Disciple of the Apostles, who died in Spain, Commemorated on September 23 ; Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated on October 15; IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP AND MARTYR (17 OCT 107); St Abercius the Bishop and Wonderworker of Hieropolis, Equal of the Apostles, Commemorated on October 22; Hieromartyr Clement the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on November 25; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on December 20; Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Parmenas the Deacon of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Crescens of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Erastus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quartus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Clement of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Sosthenes of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Apollos of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Artemas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; St Sarbelus of Edessa, Commemorated on January 29; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on January 29; St Bucolus the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 6; Apostle Onesimus of the Seventy, Commemorated on February 15; St Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, Commemorated on February 17; Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated on February 23; POLYCARP, BISHOP OF SMYRNA AND MARTYR (23 FEB 156); Martyr Eudokia of Heliopolis, Commemorated on March 1 ; Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; Martyr Drosis the Daughter of the Emperor Trajan, Commemorated on March 22; Hieromartyr Patrick the Bishop of Prusa with his companions, Commemorated on May 19; Hieromartyr Astius the Bishop of Dyrrachium in Macedonia, Commemorated on June 4; Martyr Zosimus the Soldier at Antioch, in Pisidia, Commemorated on June 19; Martyr Hyacinthus of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 3; Martyr Theodotus at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on July 4; Martyr Peregrinus of Dyrrachium in Macedonia, Commemorated on July 7;

Rome, 98-117, Trajan's Martyrs Folder

Rome, 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.

Rome, 98-117, Hieromartyr Phocas of Sinope, Paphlagonia, Armenia, bishop, converted many, tortured in hot bath
Armenia, 98-117, Hieromartyr Phocas of Sinope, Paphlagonia, Armenia (Pontine Capital, near Kizilirmak River Mouth, Black Sea), bishop, converted many, tortured in hot bath; Sinope, Turkey (Black Sea); Hieromartyr Phocas the Bishop of Sinope, Commemorated on September 22 ; Phocas was born in the city of Sinope. youth he led a virtuous Christian life, and in his adult years he became Bishop of Sinope. Phocas converted many pagans to faith in Christ. 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.

Rome, 98-117, Hieromartyr Astius, Dirrachium, (Via Egnatia), suffering dream, leaden rods oxhide whips, honey hornets, cruci
Albania, 98-117, Hieromartyr Astius, Dirrachium, Albania (near Shkumbiin River Mouth, K Triangle Via Egnatia, Macedonia), his dream impending and death for Christ, beaten leaden rods, oxhide whips, smeared honey for hornets, crucified ; Dirrachium, Albania Hieromartyr Astius the Bishop of Dyrrachium in Macedonia, Commemorated on June 4; Hieromartyr Astius was bishop of the city of Dyrrachium (Macedonia) during the time of the emperor Trajan (98-117), a persecutor of Christians. saint once had a dream, a foreboding of his impending suffering and death for Christ. He was arrested and beaten fiercely with leaden rods and oxhide whips, but Saint Astius did not renounce Christ. They smeared his body with honey, so as to increase his suffering with the stings of hornets and flies, and crucified him. The martyr’s body was reverently buried by Christians.

Rome, 101-117, Martyrs Sarbelius and Bebaia of Edessa, Pagan Priest and his sister
Armenia, 101-117, Martyrs Sarbelius and Bebaia of Edessa, Pagan Priest and his sister; Martyrs Sarbelius and Bebaia of Edessa, Commemorated on October 15; Holy Martyrs Sarbelus and Bebaia (Barbea) of Edessa were brother and sister, suffering in the second century under the emperor Trajan for confessing Christianity. Saint Sarbelus was a priest of the idols at Edessa, but was converted to Christ by a certain bishop, then he and his sister were baptized. Pagans tortured the saints for a long while, and then beheaded them. saints are also commemorated on January 29. Saint Sarbelus may be the same one who is commemorated on September 5.

Rome, 115, Martyr Romulus, Great Armenia, Trajan found 11,000 t christians, sent to Armenia, Romulus reproached & confessed
Armenia, 115, Martyr Romulus & others, Great Armenia, 331 BC-428 AD, buffer state between Roman Empire and Persia, 107&115 Trajan found 11,000 christians in his troups, sent them to Armenia, commander Romulus reproached and confessed, beaten and beheaded; 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 ; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Romulus and with him many others, Commemorated on September 6; Martyr Romulus lived during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117) and was a confidant of the emperor by virtue of his office of military commander. the time, Trajan was waging war in the East to put down uprisings against the Romans by the Iberians, Sarmatians, and Arabs. the year 107, and again a second time in 115, the emperor conducted a review of the military strength of his army, and found in his troops upwards of 11,000 Christians. immediately sent these Christians into exile in Armenia in disgrace. Romulus, in view of this, reproached the emperor for his impiety and the sheer folly to diminish the army’s strength during a time of war. Romulus, moreover, acknowledged that he himself was a Christian. The enraged Trajan had the holy martyr subjected to a merciless beating, after which Saint Romulus was beheaded. Christian soldiers sent into exile in Armenia were killed by various forms of execution.

Rome, 100, Basilica (grave) of St. John, in Ephesus, 100 yr old J commanded dig grave, cover him w earth, later not there
Basilica (grave) of St. John, in Ephesus, 100 yr old J commanded dig grave, cover him w earth, later not there; Grave of Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, Commemorated on May 8; Church commemorates Saint John on this day because of the annual pilgrimage to his grave. Saint John was more than one hundred years old, he took seven of his disciples and went to a spot outside the city of Ephesus. There he told them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. Then he climbed into the grave and told his disciples to cover him with earth. Later, the grave was opened and the saint’s body was not there. year on May 8 a red dust would arise from the grave which the faithful collected in order to be healed of their illnesses. John’s main Feast is on September 26. Basilica (grave) of St. John, in Ephesus; Basilica of St. John (Greek: Βασιλική του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου) was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.[1] The basilica is on the slopes of Ayasuluk Hill just below the fortress near the center of Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey and about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from Ephesus.[2] Church[edit] is known about the Basilica of St. John, with its only source being from a small description[3] provided by Procopius in one of his works, Buildings, whereupon he writes: chanced to be a certain place before the city of Ephesus, lying on a steep slope hilly and bare of soil and incapable of producing crops, even should one attempt to cultivate them, but altogether hard and rough. On that site the natives had set up a church in early times to the Apostle John; this Apostle has been named “the Theologian,” because the nature of God was described by him in a manner beyond the unaided power of man. church, which was small and in a ruined condition because of its great age, the Emperor Justinian tore down to the ground and replaced by a church so large and beautiful, that, to speak briefly, it resembles very closely in all respects, and is a rival to, the shrine which is dedicated to all the Apostles in the imperial city...[4] of the church began by 548 and was completed by 565.[3] The building of this church was presided over by the bishop, Hypatius of Ephesus. As the leading ecclesiastical theoretician and writer of his day, it was possible that he gained the influence of Justinian and had the tomb of St. John reconstructed, as major construction in the Asia Minor was rare.[5] After its completion, it was regarded as one of the holiest churches of its time and was held in great honor as Procopius makes mention of this in his Secret History: ...to the sanctuary of the Apostle John, which was the most holy one there and held in very high honour...[6] its popularity after the 9th century it was no longer mentioned, possibly due to a new church built in honor of St. John, Church of John the Theologian.[7]