My beloved spiritual children in Our Risen Lord and Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
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ON THE 28th OF APRIL, OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY NINE MARTYRS AT KYZIKOS: THEOGNIS, RUFUS, ANTIPATER, THEOSTICHOS, ARTEMAS, MAGNUS, THEODOULOS, THAVMASIOS, AND PHILEMON.
Theognis, the holy Martyr of Christ, and those with whom he suffered martyrdom in Kyzikos were Rufus, Antipater, Theostichos, Artemas, Magnus, Theodoulos, Thavmasios, and Philemon. These nine men, some country folk, and other city dwellers hailed from various places. They were not in the same group. They also held different positions and occupations: some were in the military or clerical ranks. They nevertheless possessed the same mind and sentiment in matters of the Faith. The Church at predominantly pagan Kyzikos was small. Many of the pagan citizens were drawn into the pit of lawlessness. Some of the Christians had fled before the persecution, while others kept their belief in Christ, secret. But today's nine Christians boldly declared their faith in Christ and prayed for the building up of the Church.
Since they denounced the deceit of idol worship, they were arrested and brought to trial before the ruler of the city. They were subjected to interrogation by the ruler regarding the Faith of Christ. The nine Confessors easily put to shame the ruler of Kyzikos, whose reverence of the idols was scorned by the Christians' noble understanding and valorous character. The ruler, mortified at hearing his superstitions disesteemed by the nine, ordered diverse tortures during their incarceration. All nine, to a man, preferred to offer themselves as living sacrifices to the living God, rather than offer sacrifice to the insensate graven images. Thus, they would be separated neither from Christ nor from one another, as they destroyed the whole legion of the devil. After several days of enduring painful wounds and torture, they were brought before the tribunal seat. Were they to renounce their Christ, they could expect their release. Nevertheless, the valiant nine continued to glorify the Lord Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they cast down the prompting of the iniquitous to sin. The exasperated ruler then sentenced all nine to have their heads removed by the sword. This took place in the third century, probably during the reign of the hostile polytheist Licinius, Augustus in the East from 308-324 A.D., who openly harassed the Christians after 316 A.D. The precious wonderworking (miracle-working) holy relics of the Nine Holy Martyrs were buried near Kyzikos.
In the year 324 A.D., after Licinius abdicated, the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled by Saint Constantine the Great. The persecution against Christians ended. The faithful of Kyzikos removed the incorruptible bodies of the Nine Martyrs from the ground, translating (anakomide) them to a church built in their honor. Manifold miracles occurred by means of grace working in their holy relics. The infirm received healing and the mentally ill were brought to their senses. The Faith of Christ grew within the city, through the intercessions of these Nine Crowned-bearing Martyrs. Many of the benighted pagans, consequently, were enlightened and converted to Christianity.
Saints Theognis, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichos, Artemas, Magnus, Theodoulos, Thavmasios, and Philemon enlighten all with the effulgence of their miracles as they pour forth healings and deliver from cruel misfortunes. They have gained genuine renown as physicians who wash away the defilement of the passions and dispel them. They also drive away the gloom of the demons. They can be depended upon to ease and extinguish pain. A prominent man, reports Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, took recourse with love at the shrine of the right wondrous Martyrs and was healed of dropsy. He says that these Martyrs also were known for setting bones straight, especially bent arms. In another case, says Saint Joseph, a petitioner hastened to the precious reliquaries of the Saints and was freed from the legion of the Evil One. The Nine Holy Martyrs at Kyzikos, therefore, proved themselves to be unmercenary healers. The gates of heaven, thereupon, were opened to them by Christ Himself Who welcomed those who had suffered and received wounds for His Holy Faith. Those who fought bravely are now rejoicing, free from all pain, with the Angels. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George