April 8 / March 26

Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel

Gabriel is the herald of the Incarnation of the Son of God. He is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God. He appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of the Forerunner. Gabriel said of himself: I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God (Luke 1:19). His name Gabriel means “man-God.” The Holy Fathers, in speaking of the Annunciation, a comment that an archangel with such a name was sent to signify Who He was, and what He would be like, Who would be born of the All- pure one. He would be the God-man, the mighty and powerful God. Some of the Fathers understood that this same Gabriel appeared to Joachim and Anna concerning the birth of the Virgin Mary and that Gabriel instructed Moses in the wilderness to write the Book of Genesis. The Holy Fathers say that Gabriel belongs to the first and greatest order of heavenly powers, that is, the Seraphim, since the Seraphim stand closest to God. He is, therefore, one of the seven Seraphim closest to God. The names of the seven are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel. To this number, some add Jeremiel. Each one has his own particular service and all are equal in honor. Why did God not send Michael? Because Michael’s service is to suppress the enemies of the Faith of God, while Gabriel’s is the mission of announcing the salvation of mankind.

Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium (Srem) (304)

It is thought that Irenaeus was a Slav. He was married and had children prior to becoming a bishop. During the reign of Maximian, he suffered for Christ. During his terrible sufferings, his relatives stood around him crying and begged him to spare himself and them—that is, to deny Christ. But this wonderful hieromartyr loved the wounds he received for Christ more than all the riches of this world. At the same time Seren, a certain gardener in Srem, also suffered at the hands of Prince Probus, and Afrius suffered in Regia. Because Irenaeus did not want to deny his faith, Prince Probus ordered that he be hurled from a bridge into the Sava River, where this shepherd of Christ’s flock died, taking up his habitation among the citizens of heaven. He honorably suffered in the year 304.

The Venerable Malchus of Chalcis in Syria (4th c.)

Malchus was a farmer from the vicinity of Antioch, and from his youth, his entire soul was directed toward God. The Arabs enslaved him, and while he was in slavery they forced him to take a black woman for a wife. He converted her to the Christian Faith and they lived together as brother and sister. Conspiring together, they escaped from bondage, but the Arabs almost overtook them. They found shelter in a cave in which there was a lioness with her cubs, and they became frightened. But God protected them. The lioness did not harm them but killed an Arab who tried to enter the cave to capture the runaways. When they reached Malchus’s home country, he gave his wife over to a convent and he himself entered a monastery. He lived many years in asceticism and took up his habitation among the citizens of heaven in the fourth century.

The Venerable Basil the Younger, anchorite, near Constantinople (944)

Basil first lived in the forest without shelter or When he was captured, he was questioned: “Who are you?” He replied: “One of those living on earth.” Suspecting him of being a spy, they tortured him greatly.

In the end, he lived for many years in freedom in Constantinople. He saw into all men’s secrets, foretold the future, and worked great miracles. His novice was the eldress Theodora. After her death, she appeared to Basil’s novice Gregory and described to him the twenty toll-houses through which every soul must pass. On March 25, 944, St. Basil reposed peacefully and took up his habitation with the wondrous heavenly company. After his death, he was seen in great glory by a citizen of Constantinople.

• Martyr Codratus (Quadratus), and with him 40 Martyrs, who suffered under Diocletian (284-305).
• Hieromartyr Eusebius, bishop of Kival, and Martyr Pullius the Reader.
• Hieromartyr Montanus, priest, and his wife Maxima, at Sirmium (ca. 304).
• Eutychius, subdeacon, of Alexandria (356).
• Hieromartyrs Bathusius and Bercus, priests, Monk-martyr Arpilus, and Martyrs Abibus, Agnus, Reasus, Igathrax, Iscoeus (Iskous, Escoes), Silas, Signicus, Soneri- las, Suimbalus, Thermus, Phillus (Philgas), Anna, Alla, Larissa, Monco (Manca), Mamica, Uirko (Virko), Animais (Animaida), Gaatha the queen of the Goths, and Duklida, in Crimea (375).
• Braulio, bishop of Saragossa in Iberia (646).
• Ludger, bishop of Munster and missionary to northwestern Germany (809).
• New Martyr George of Sofia, at Adrianople (1437).
• (Greek: St. Stephen the Confessor and Wonderworker, abbot, of Tryglia [815]).

HYMN OF PRAISE

The Archangels

Golden-headed seven, of angelic rank,
Seven archangels, the highest spirits:
Michael, the sword against adversaries, is the first;
By the sword, he renders payment to those who wage war against God.
Gabriel is the herald of God’s Incarnation,
The all-wondrous recorder of human salvation.
Raphael, like a sun, is the servant of the Trinity;
He is the physician of vast human afflictions.
Uriel is the radiant light of God,
The enlightener of human souls.
Selathiel, the intercessor, offers up prayers,
And brings the prayers of the people before God.
Jegudiel, glorifier of God the Almighty,
Encourages the willing man to glory.
Barachiel, dispenser of the blessing of heaven,
Gives men what they need from God.

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