January 18 / January 5
1. The Hieromartyr Theopemptos and the Martyr Theonas (303)
When Diocletian began his persecution of Christians, Theopemptos, Bishop of Nicomedia, was among the first to suffer martyrdom for Christ. Theopemptos was brought before the emperor, who threatened him with the punishment of death if he did not deny Christ. To that threat, the courageous bishop responded to the emperor: “It stands written: Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). O Emperor, you have authority over my body; do with it as you please.” Theopemptos was severely beaten, starved, and tortured in various ways. Finally, the emperor summoned a certain magician, Theonas by name, to outwit this godly man through magic. Theonas dissolved the most potent poison in water and gave it to Theopemptos to drink. Theopemptos traced the sign of the Cross over the glass and drank the poison. On seeing that the poison had no effect on Theopemptos, Theonas turned to the emperor and shouted: “I too am a Christian, and I bow down before the Crucified One.” Both were sentenced to death in the year 303; Theopemptos was beheaded and Theonas was buried alive. They suffered honorably and became citizens of the Kingdom of Christ.
2. The Holy Prophet Micah the First
Micah was a contemporary of the Prophet Elias. He foretold the death of the pernicious King Ahab in battle against the Assyrians (I Kings 22; II Chronicles 18). Micah prophesied orally and did not put anything into writing. He is to be distinguished from the other Prophet Micah (August 14), who prophesied the birth of the Lord in Bethlehem and authored one of the prophetic books.
3. The Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria (ca 460)
Syncletica was of Macedonian descent and was educated in Alexandria. As a wealthy and distinguished maiden, she had many suitors, but she rejected them all and fled from her parents’ home to a convent. In great self-restraint, vigil, and prayer, Syncletica lived to her eightieth year. Her counsels to the nuns have always been considered true
spiritual pearls, for this righteous one did not attain the heights of wisdom through books but through sufferings, pains, daily and nightly contemplation, and spiritual communication with the higher world of the Divine. Her soul took up its habitation in that higher world in the year 460. Among other things, St. Syncletica was known to say: “If it is the season for fasting, do not dis- miss fasting, claiming illness, for behold, even those who do not fast succumb to the same illness.” She further said: “As a treasure, when uncovered, is quickly seized, so it is with virtue: when it is made public it becomes eclipsed and is lost.”
4. The Venerable Apollinaria of Egypt (470)
Apollinaria was the daughter of Anthemius, the regent of the adolescent Emperor Theodosius the Younger. She was her father’s elder daughter. His younger daughter was insane. Apollinaria did not wish to marry be-cause in her heart she was betrothed to Christ, and she withdrew into the Egyptian wilderness. In men’s attire and under the masculine name of Dorotheus, Apollinaria entered a monastery for men, where she lived an ascetic life, lifting up her spirit continuously toward God and burning with love toward her Creator. Someone advised the imperial regent, Anthemius, to send his insane daughter to the ascetics to have prayers said for her. According to the providence of God, it so happened that the elder sister healed her insane sister through the power of prayer. Only when Apollinaria reposed was her secret revealed—that she was not a man but a woman. The bravery of this holy virgin has remained an example and stimulus to many throughout the ages who contemplate their salvation. She reposed in the year 470.
- Talida, abbess at Antinoe, and her disciple Taora (5th c.).
- Phosterius the Hermit (6th c.).
- Menas of Sinai (6th c.).
- Gregory, monk, of Crete (ca. 820).
- New Monk-martyr Romanus of Carpenision and Kapsokalyvia, at Constantinople (1694).
- Symeon, hieroschemamonk of the Pskov Caves Monastery (1960).
- Theophan, schema-archim., of the Rykhlovsk Monastery (Ukraine) (1977).
- The Holy Martyr Sais, who perished after being cast into the sea.
- The Holy Martyr Theoeidos, who was trampled to death by his executioners.
- The Venerable Domnina, who died in peace.
- The Venerable Tatiana, who died in peace.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Saints Apollinaria and Syncletica
These innocent virgins, for the sake of God and their souls,
Became faithful followers of Christ.
Pleasures, luxuries and laughter they abandoned,
And lifted up their souls to the angelic world.
In their weak bodies were lighted torches;
By the Holy Spirit their souls were wondrously illuminated,
Shining for centuries and showing the way,
Rejoicing in heaven with the holy angels.
O Apollinaria and Syncletica!
In your hearts the Holy Spirit glows.
He strengthens you, leads and teaches you;
He has wedded you and betrothed you to Christ.
Pray for us, O wondrous ascetics,
Heroines brave, immortal virgins.
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