March 20 / March 7

1.  The Holy Seven Hieromartyrs of Chersonese: Basil, Ephraim, Eugene, Elpidius, Agathadorus, Aetherius and Capito

All of them, Basil (309), Ephraim (4th c.), Eugene (311), Agathadorus (311), Elpidius (311), Capito (after 326), and Aetherius (324), were bishops in Cherson at different times. All suffered and were martyred at the hands of unbelievers: either Jews, or Greeks, or Scythians. Only Aetherius died peacefully. All of them were sent by the Patriarch of Jerusalem as missionaries to bring the light of the Gospel to this wild and uncivilized area. They were tortured and suffered for their Lord. In Cherson, Basil raised the son of a prince from the dead. This embittered the Jews, and they brought an accusation against him. He was bound by the feet and dragged through the streets until his soul departed from his body. Ephraim was beheaded. Eugene, Elpidius, and Agathadorus were beaten with rods and stoned until they gave up their souls to God. Aetherius lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. He governed the Church in freedom and peace, erected a large church in Cherson, and died peacefully. When the last of them, Capito, was appointed bishop for the wild and savage Scythians, they sought a sign from him that they might believe. They suggested that he enter a fiery furnace. If he was not consumed, they would all believe in Christ. With fervent prayers and hope in God, Capito placed his episcopal pallium over his shoulders, signed himself with the sign of the Cross, and, keeping his heart close to God, entered the fiery furnace. He remained in the flames for about an hour without any injury or damage, either to his body or vesture. He came out in good health. Then all of them cried out at once: “One is God, the God of the Christians, great and mighty, Who protects His servant in the fiery furnace.” All in the city and in the surrounding area were then baptized. This miracle was spoken of at length at the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea, 325]. The participants in the Council all glorified God and praised the steadfast and solid faith of St. Capito. It happened that while Capito was traveling along the Dnieper River, he was captured by the pagan Scythians and drowned. All seven of these hieromartyrs suffered around the beginning of the fourth century.

2.    The Venerable Emilianus, monk, of Rome (6th c.)

Emilianus was born in Rome and committed many grave sins in his youth. When Emilianus came to his senses, he refrained from sinning and began to tremble just thinking about the judgment of God. Emilianus im- mediately entered a monastery, and by fasting, vigils, and obedience he tamed and withered his body. He was an ideal example to his brethren in every good labor. Often he would step out of the monastery at night and enter a nearby cave to pray. Not knowing where Emilianus was going, the abbot of the monastery secretly followed him one night. The abbot saw Emilianus standing at prayer in reverence and tears. All at once, a heavenly light, brighter than the sun, encompassed the entire mountain—especially the cave and Emilianus. A voice was heard from heaven, saying: “Emilianus, your sins are forgiven you.” Filled with fright, the abbot hurried back to the monastery. The next day he revealed to the brethren what he had seen and heard the previous night. Great respect was shown to Emilianus by the brethren. He lived long and reposed in the Lord.

• Paul the Simple, of Egypt (ca. 339), disciple of St. Anthony the Great.
• Nestor and Arcadius, bishops of Tremithus (4th c.).
• Ephraim, patriarch of Antioch (546).
• Paul the Confessor, bishop of Plousias in Bithynia (ca. 840).
• Lawrence, founder of the monastery of the Mother of God on Salamis (1707).
• Dandus and All Saints of Thrace.
• New Hieromartyr Nilus (Tyutyukin), hieromonk of Joseph of Volokolamsk Monastery (1938).
• (Greek : Martyrs Codratus, Saturninus, and Rufinus, of Nicomedia [250-259]).
• Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “Surety of Sinners” (Moscow) (1848) and “Of ”

HYMN OF PRAISE

Saint Emilianus

Emilianus was a grave sinner,
And from sin the soul aches.
Emilianus was disconsolate;
He prayed to God for forgiveness:
“O Most High, O Most wonderful,
From Whom the sun has light,
From Whom the angelic choir
Receives its wakeful existence, joy and radiance!
For Thee only, O God, do I care;
With repentance I return to Thee;
Only to Thee do I offer thanks,
That now I truly comprehend life.
Tears, tears, tears I shed;
Body and spirit now are fasting;
I shut out my vision of the world and my hearing.
Forgive, O God, forgive, forgive!
Before Thy mercy I am a field:
Weed me and cultivate me.
Let my soul be alive,
And the flesh suffer and feel pain.
Of all men I am the worst.
Behold, I judge myself;
Just do not judge me,
O God. I fear Thee, only Thee!”

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