September 24 / September 11

1.  The Venerable Theodora of Alexandria (490)

Theodora was from Alexandria and the wife of a young man. Persuaded by a fortune-teller, she committed adultery with another man and immediately felt the bitter pangs of conscience. She cut her hair, dressed in men’s clothing, and entered the Monastery of Octodecatos, under the male name of Theodore. Her labor, fasting, vigilance, humbleness, and tearful repentance amazed the entire brotherhood. When a promiscuous young woman slandered her, saying that Theodore had made her pregnant, Theodora did not want to justify herself but considered this slander as a punishment from God for her earlier sin. Banished from the monastery, she spent seven years living in the forest and wilderness and, in addition, caring for the child of that promiscuous girl. She overcame all diabolical temptations: she refused to worship Satan, refused to accept food from the hands of a soldier, and refused to heed the pleas of her husband to return to him—for all of this was only a diabolical illusion, and as soon as Theodora made the sign of the Cross everything vanished as smoke. After seven years, the abbot received her back into the monastery, where she lived for two more years, and reposed in the Lord. Only then did the monks learn that she was a woman; an angel appeared to the abbot and explained everything to him. Her husband came to the burial and then remained in the cell of his former wife until his repose. St. Theodora possessed much grace from God: she tamed wild beasts, healed infirmities, and brought forth water from a dry well. Thus, God glorified a true penitent, who with heroic patience repented nine years for just one sin. She reposed in the year 490.

2.  Saint Paphnutius the Confessor, Bishop in the Egyptian Thebaid (4th c.)

Paphnutius was the Bishop of Taiski in the Egyptian Thebaid. He suffered greatly for the Orthodox Faith. The heretics gouged out one of his eyes and broke his left leg. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea, 325], refuting the heresy of Arius with great vigor. Emperor Con- Constantine greatly respected him, and often kissed him on his missing eye, gouged out for the truth of Orthodoxy. He stood decisively against the western representatives at the Council who proposed that secular priests be completely forbidden marriage. Paphnutius was chaste his entire life.

3. The Venerable Euphrosynus the Cook, of Alexandria (9th c.)

Euphrosynus was a simple man, but a man of God. He served as the cook in an Amorean monastery in the ninth century. One night, the spiritual father of this monastery saw himself in Paradise, and saw Euphro- synus there as well. Euphrosynus picked and gave him three apples from Paradise. When the spiritual father awoke, he saw three unusually beautiful and fragrant apples by his pillow. He quickly found Euphrosynus and asked him: “Where were you last night, brother?” “I was where you were, father,” the blessed God-pleaser replied. The spiritual father then revealed the entire incident to the monks, and all recognized the sanctity and godliness of Euphrosynus. But Euphrosynus, fearing the praise of men, immediately fled the monastery and hid in the wilderness, where he spent the remainder of his life.

4.  The Holy Martyr Ia of Persia and 9,000 martyrs with her (363)

Ia was denounced by idolatrous priests and suffered for the Lord in Persia during the reign of Sapor II, in 363. According to tradition, the sun became dark at the time of her death, and all the air was filled with a wondrous fragrance. She is glorified by the Lord forever.

5. Holy Martyrs Diodorus, Didymus and Diomedes, of Laodicea (362-364)

They were flogged for the sake of Christ in Laodicea, and gave their souls into the hands of their Lord.

• Martyrs Demetrius, his wife Evanthia, and their son Demetrian, at Skepsis on the Hellespont (1st c.).
• Deiniol, abbot, and bishop, of Bangor, Wales (584).
• Holy Martyr Theodora of Vasta in the
• Elias the Cave-dweller, of Calabria (ca. 960).
• Translation of the relics (1542-1550) of Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam (ca. 1353).
• Silouan, elder, of St. Panteleimon Monastery, Mt. Athos (1938).
• Glorification (1978) of Xenia of St. Petersburg, fool-for-Christ (18th c.).
• John, abbot, of Svyatogorsk Monastery (1970).
• Synaxis of the Saints of the Svatogorsk Monastery.
• Weeping Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Of ”

HYMN OF PRAISE

The Venerable Theodora

Wretched Theodora was tangled in sin;
Glorious Theodora was forgiven her sin.
One sin she ransomed with a hundred virtues
And the eternal mercy of the Son of God.
She thrust from herself diabolical suggestions,
And meekly endured the slanders of men.
Her mind immersed in her Lord,
Her thoughts were freed from earthly dust.
To the end, she submitted to God’s will,
And thus was worthy of God’s Paradise.
St. Theodora, citizen of Paradise,
Now help us, O God-pleaser!
That we sinners also be delivered from sin
And live with you as inhabitants of Paradise.
You were given power, before and after death,
To destroy all the snares of the enemy.
Because of your love, God gave you power,
And even the demons fear your power.
Now you worship Christ with all the saints,
And protect us from bitter attacks.

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