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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19th MAY - COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY HIEROMARTYR PATRICK, AKAKIOS, MENANDER, AND POLYAENOS, THE PRESBYTER
Patrick (Patrikios), the sacred hieromartyr, and his companions--the holy Martyr Akakios, Menander, and Polyaenos--were accounted worthy of the crown martyrdom at Prousa of Asia Minor during the rule of Julian the consular governor. During that period, the holy Patrick, by reason of his virtue and wisdom which he possessed from a young age, became the Bishop of Prusa. On account of his espousal of the Christian Faith and his fiery zeal, he was accused before the authorities. He was arrested by Julian, the consular governor. Patrick censured the deception and the vanity of the idols before the consul's face. Julian, in order to persuade the holy Hieromartyr Patrick to deny the Christ, put him to the test with manifold and diverse tortures. All that Julian achieved was a further acknowledgment of the bishop's stalwart resolution to persevere for is Faith.
Now the city of Prusa had gained renown also by its famous hot springs and baths situated near the temple to Aesculapius and Hygieia. Julias, being at Prusa, visited the famous hot springs. He also offered sacrifice to Aesculapius and Hygieia. Julias began by saying to the bishop, "The hot waters that spring up from the earth are endued with therapeutic qualities by virtue of the gods' providence for the benefit and advantage of mankind. You, as one having been misled by foolish legends regarding invoking Christ, must now see the gods' divine care for us. Patrick, before a large and mostly pagan audience, remarked to the consul: "You have uttered many wicked things in but a few words." The consul responded: "I have spoken nothing bad in principle or practice. What have I declared other than that which is patently demonstrable? Acts of healing take place daily after the sufferers bathe in these mineral-rich thermal springs, even as we have witnessed them and experienced them. You must see that it is so; you are not some transient guest in this city." Patrick answered, "I never said that I dispute the therapeutic virtues of our hot mineral waters."
Then the holy Patrick, enlightened by God, answered, "Indeed, the hot springs have been bestowed for the benefit of mankind. Their creation, however, was not by the providence of the false gods; but rather, they came to be with the power of my Lord Jesus Christ. It was He Who determined two regions: one place is filled with many good things which the righteous shall enjoy in the future, whereas the other place is full of darkness and fire wherein the sinners shall be punished. This is to occur after the Resurrection. God granted us fire, not only in all that which is under the firmament but even in the heaven this event. It was God Who created the heaven and the earth. It was He Who gave the command and fire and water were created. Now the waters upon the earth are called a sea, while those below are called an abyss or great deep. Whensoever the fountains of the abyss are broken up and ascend as a water-spout, this results in the springs and the wells of our consumption and use. With regard to fire is found below the earth, it spouts up warm waters. As for those who are near to the source of the fire, the water gushing forth is warm; whereas, those who far off find them cool. This fire, which is in the lower parts of the earth, punishes the ungodly. The water beneath the surface, correspondingly, which is ice, and named Tartarus, is where punishment for eternity awaits both men and demons. The latter are those whom the idols worshippers have made into gods, but there will they join them later."
The hierarch continued and said, "That which I am refuting is the statement that your deities created these healing springs when, undeniably, these waters were made by the Logos/Word of God, Jesus Christ." The consul scoffed at these words and said, "You then assert that your Christ not only made these waters but also gave them their curative powers?" Saint Patrick answered, "Yes, indeed."
Enraged at these words, the consul charged that Saint Patrick be stripped and cast into the hot waters. As the soldiers carried out the order, the holy bishop supplicated God, uttering. "Lord Jesus Christ, help Thy servant!" As Saint Patrick was cast inside, several of the soldiers were scalded by the dashing of the waters. As for the holy bishop, he remained unharmed. Who can describe Julian's exasperation and embarrassment? He was angry that the Jesus Whom he previously railed at, and taunted Saint Patrick to ask for His protection, did, in fact, protect the holy Bishop who was swimming as if in a comfortable bath. Julian ordered that the bishop be taken out from the waters. He sentenced the holy Patrick to have his head severed. After uttering a short prayer, commending his soul to God, the holy Bishop went to his knees. Pursuant to the sentence, he was beheaded. The faithful that were present as witnesses managed to carry away his holy relics after the execution. He was interred discreetly after they gave him a modest burial near the high road. Both the Greek and Roman calendars speak of his companions--Saints Akakios, Menander, and Plyaenos, the presbyters --who were also beheaded for the Faith along with him. The blessed ones, therefore, received crowns of the contest. Their synaxis (liturgical gathering) and feast were celebrated in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, which was called Kyrou.
OTHER SAINTS WHICH ARE COMMEMORATED ON MAY 19th:
Holy Martyr Akolouthos of Egypt who was burned alive.
Holy Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia who suffered martyrdom by fire.
Holy Martyr Theotime of Nicomedia who was slain by the sword.
(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 Divine Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George