August 26 / August 13
1. The Holy Martyr Hippolytus of Rome and 18 Martyrs with him (258) Hippolytus was a military leader and the overseer of the prisons in He was born and raised a pagan. When St. Lawrence the archdeacon was thrown into prison, Hippolytus was ordered by the emperor to be especially watchful of this prisoner. Hippolytus saw with his own eyes how Lawrence restored the sight of the blind man Lucillus, and how Lawrence cured many others who were sick—and he came to believe in Christ. When Lawrence baptized him, Hippolytus had a heavenly vision, and spoke of it: “I saw innocent souls in great happiness, in the heavens.” He then took Lawrence into his own household, and Lawrence baptized all the members (nineteen in all, including the old governess Concordia). When Lawrence was slain for Christ, Hippolytus transported the body of the martyr by night, wrapped it in a winding-sheet, and honorably buried it. However, this came to the attention of Emperor Decius. On the third day following the martyrdom of Lawrence, Hippolytus was arrested and brought before the emperor. As he refused to deny the true Faith, he was struck on the mouth with stones. After that, the emperor ordered that Hippolytus be stripped naked and flogged. Naked before the emperor, he said: “You have not stripped me—you have begun to clothe me!” Then they stretched him out on the ground and beat him mercilessly. Hippolytus’s only response was: “I am a Christian.” The emperor, upon hearing that all of Hippolytus’s household were Christians, ordered that they all be arrested. The aged Concor- dia said: “We prefer to die honorably with our master in the Christian Faith than to live dishonorably with you, who are unclean.” Concordia was the first to be slain, and after her the remaining eighteen were slain, all before the eyes of Hippolytus. Finally, they tied Hippolytus to a wild horse and dragged him relentlessly, until the martyr gave up his soul to God.
2. Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk and Voronezh
Tikhon was born in a simple peasant family in the village of Korotsk, in the province of Novgorod, in the year 1724. He received the monastic tonsure at age thirty-four, and, because of his ascetic practice and great spiritual wisdom, he was soon elevated to higher positions of service, until he was consecrated Bishop of Voronezh. His episcopacy lasted for almost five years, but, because of frail health, he withdrew and took up residence in the Monastery of Zadonsk. In the year 1783, he died peacefully in Zadonsk, where his miracle-working relics now repose. He was a great ascetic of the Russian Church, a rare shepherd, a strong intercessor, and the author of the most beautiful spiritual works. By his wisdom, holiness, and asceticism, Tikhon can be equated with the great fathers of the Orthodox Church of ancient times. Because of the many witnessed miracles that were performed over his relics, he was proclaimed a saint, first by the people, then officially by the Church in the year 1861.
3. The Venerable Empress Irene, called Xenia in monasticism (1134)
Empress Irene was the wife of Emperor John Comnenus II (1118–1143) who was also known as Kalo-John—John the In addition to her monastic ascesis and many good works, Irene is also famous for building the Monastery of the Pantocrator, one of the most glorious and most beautiful monasteries in Constantinople. St. Stefan Dečani later lived a life of asceticism in this monastery.
4. The Venerable Seridus, abbot, of Gaza (543)
Seridus was renowned as the founder of the famous community near Gaza in Palestine, in which such glorious fathers as Saints Barsanuphius, John, Dorotheus, Dositheus, and others would come to live ascetic lives. St. Seridus reposed in the sixth century, to live in the eternal joy of his Lord.
- Maximus the Confessor (662) (his service is celebrated on Aug. 12).
- Eudocia the Empress (460), wife of Theodosius the Younger.
- Radegunde of Poitiers, nun (587).
- Wigbert, abbot of Hersfeld and English missionary to Germany (ca. 747).
- Uncovering of the relics (1547) of Maximus of Moscow, fool-for-Christ (1433).
- New Hieromartyr Seraphim, bishop of Dmitrov (1937).
- Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos “Of Minsk” (1500), “Of the Passion” (1641), “Of the Seven Arrows” (Vologda) (1830), and “The Softening of Evil ”
- (Greek : Abba Dorotheus of Gaza [ca. 560-580]).
HYMN OF PRAISE
Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk
The hut of a peasant nurtured a saint,
Imbued with the Spirit of the Orthodox Church:
Tikhon, the hierarch, shone like a star,
And in spiritual mysteries, instructed the world:
“Read Holy Scripture—within it God is concealed;
It conceals God, and reveals Him.
All the books in the world can tell you no more
About God or yourself than Scripture.
Behold, without God, one cannot know God.
It is vain to seek God outside of God.
God gives Himself to us, as much as our minds can bear:
You cannot pour the sea into an egg!
Holy Scripture teaches you how to save your soul
From sin, death and eternal damnation.
A drowning man doesn’t ask about the water:
‘What is it?’ ‘How?’ ‘Where did it come from?’
He is only concerned about saving himself,
And in panic he seeks for a safe rock.
The sea of life foams and rages;
In the midst of this sea, seek salvation for yourself.
‘What is this life?’ ‘From what was it made?’—
Is this so important to know when death is stronger than we are?
Knowledge and possessions remain on earth;
Your body and fine clothing are given over to the grave.
The soul—only the soul can still be saved.
Labor and pray: ‘Help me, O God!’”
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