August 30 / August 17

1. The Holy Martyr Myron the Presbyter, of Cyzicus (250)

Myron was a priest in the town of Achaia. He was of wealthy and prominent origin, yet was kind and meek by nature—a lover of both God and man. During the reign of Emperor Decius, on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, pagans charged into the church, dragged Myron out of the service, and subjected him to torture by fire. During this torture, an angel appeared to him and encouraged him. The pagans began to peel his skin in strips from his head to his feet. The martyr grabbed one such strip of skin and struck his torturer, the judge, on the face with it. As though possessed, Antipater the judge grabbed a sword and killed himself. Finally, the pagans took Myron to the city of Cyzicus, and slew him there with the sword, in the year 250.

2.  The Holy Martyr Patroclus of Troyes (Gaul) (270-275)

Patroclus was a citizen of the city of Trychasia, present day Troyes in France. He inherited great wealth from his parents and, as a true Christian, used it to perform daily acts of mercy for the less fortunate, while he himself lived a life of asceticism, taking food only once a day after the setting of the sun. Because of the sanctity of his life, the Lord granted Patroclus the power of healing, and he was known throughout the land as a miracle- worker. Emperor Aurelian, arriving in Gaul, ordered that Patroclus be brought before him. St. Patroclus proclaimed his faith in Christ before the emperor, and did not conceal anything. “O Emperor, if you desire something of my wealth, I will give it to you, for I see you as poor,” said St. Pa- Patroclus to the emperor. To this, the emperor replied: “How is it that you call me, the emperor, poor, when I have countless riches?” St. Patroclus then said: “You have only transient earthly treasures. You are poor, for you are not in possession of yourself, nor do you possess the Christian Faith in your heart.” He was condemned to death and given over to the soldiers to be taken to a bog near the river to be slain, and to be left to sink into the mud. But the saint of God prayed to God that his body not remain in the mud, and by the power of God he suddenly became invisible to the soldiers and was transported to the other side of the river. After a long search, the soldiers found him and slew him on a dry spot of land. Two beggars, to whom Patroclus often gave alms, happened by, recognized the body of their benefactor, and buried it with honor.

3. The Venerable Elias the Younger, of Calabria (903)

Elias was a Greek by descent, and was the abbot of the Monastery of Mellicia, in Calabria in southern Italy. During the iconoclast rebellion in the East, many eastern monks fled to Calabria with icons. In time, the monastic life was spread widely throughout Calabria. The Calabrian monks were distinguished by their great learning and austerity of life. At one point, there were so many Orthodox monasteries and monks in Calabria that Calabria was compared with Egypt of old. Later, through the centuries, Orthodox Calabria came under the authority of the Archbishop of Ohrid. Venerable Elias died in Thessalonica in the year 903.

4.  The Venerable Alypius the Iconographer of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves Portraying the images of the saints on wood, Alypius imitated their good works in his own soul. He healed a man of leprosy, saw an angel of God, and died peacefully in the Lord in his old age in the year 1114.

• Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, and Callinicus (Coronatus), with others, of Bithynia (ca. 250).
• Martyrs Paul and his sister Juliana, and Quadratus, Acacius, and Stratonicus, at Ptolemais in Syria (273).
• Martyrs Straton, Philip, Eutychian, and Cyprian, of Nicomedia (303).
• Monk-martyr Macarius of St. Auxentius (768).
• Hieromartyr Jeroen, hieromonk, at Noordwijk (Neth.) (857).
• Tbeli Abuseridze of Khikhuni, Adjara (13th c.).
• Blessed Theodoretus, enlightener of the Laps (Solovki) (1571).
• Philip, monk, of Yankov (Vologda) (1662).
• New Monk-martyr Agapius, at Thermes, near Thessalonica (1752).
• Pimen, archimandrite, of Ugresh (1880).
• “Svensk” and “Armatia” Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.

HYMN OF PRAISE

The Holy Martyr Patroclus

Patroclus stood erect before the emperor.
And fearlessly glorified Christ God;
The emperor questioned him, and Patroclus said:
“The wealthy should give to the poor:
I am wealthy and you, O Emperor, are poor;
I have treasure, if only you would ask.”
“Am I, who rule the world, poor?
And are you wealthy, with only that cursed Faith?”
“I am wealthy,” Patroclus repeated,
“My wealth does not burn in the fire;
My wealth lasts unto the ages of ages;
My wealth awaits me in heaven.”
The emperor angrily cried out:
“What kind of wealth is this?
You are in my power!
I will give you over to torture!”
“Give me over, O Emperor,”
Patroclus replied.
“God will reward my sufferings.
Torture my body; it is made for torture—
And I will give my spirit into the Lord’s hands.
A Christian’s spirit is free,
As it is with every Christian soldier.
Glory and victory await me,
Just as shame and misfortune await you, O Emperor.
Be swift, and heap tortures upon me,
So that my wreath does not fade, O Emperor.”

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