August 13 / July 31
1. The Holy Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia (9th c.)
Eudocimus was born in Cappadocia of devout parents, Basil and Eudocia. At the time of the Em- peror Theophilus (829–842), Eudocimus was a young officer in the army. Even as an officer, he exerted all his effort to live according to the commandments of the Gospel. Preserving his purity undefiled, he avoid- ed conversing with any woman except his mother. He was merciful toward the unfortunate and needy, conscientious in reading holy books, and even more conscientious in his prayers to God. He avoided vain amusements and idle talk. “Amid the throngs and worldly vanity, he was a lily among thorns, and as gold in the fire.” Because of his extraordinary virtues the emperor appointed him governor of Cappadocia. In this high position, Eudocimus strove to be righteous before God and men. By God’s providence he died at an early age, in his thirty-third year. His relics were found to possess healing properties. An insane man touched his tomb, and was immediately healed; likewise a paralytic child stood up and was made whole. After eighteen months, his mother opened his coffin and found his body to be as though. it were still alive, without any signs of decay or corruption. A wonderful fragrance arose from it. His relics were later translated to Constantinople and buried in a new church dedicated to the Holy Theotokos, built by the parents of this righteous Eudocimus.
2. The Holy Martyr Julitta, at Caesarea in Cappadocia (304)
Julitta was from Caesarea, in Cappadocia. When she had a dispute with her neighbor over some property, the neighbor went to the judge and denounced Julitta as a Christian, which at the time placed her outside of the protection of the law. St. Julitta gladly denied her property rather than her Faith. However, even after this the evil pagans did not leave her in peace, but tortured her, and finally burned her to death in the year 303. Thus, this follower of Christ sacrificed her estate and her body for the sake of the eternal salvation of her soul.
3. Saint Joseph of Arimathea
The noble Joseph, a wealthy man and member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, was secretly a follower of Christ (Matthew 27:57, John 19:38). Joseph and Nicodemus removed the body of Christ from the Cross, and placed it in Joseph’s sepulcher. As a result of this he was bound by the Jews and thrown into prison. There the resurrected Lord appeared to him and convinced him of His Resurrection. The Jews later released Joseph from prison and banished him from his fatherland. He traveled throughout the world preaching the Gospel of Christ, and brought the good tidings even to Eng- land, where he reposed in the Lord.
4. Saint John the Exarch of Bulgaria (ca. 917-927)
John was a distinguished Bulgarian priest and theologian during the time of Tsar Simeon (892–896). He translated the Hexaemeron of St. Basil and the Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith of St. John Damascene into Slavonic. He reposed peacefully in the Lord.
- Germanus, bishop of Auxerre (448).
- Neot, hermit, in Cornwall (ca. 877).
- Arsenius, bishop of Ninotsminda, Georgia (1082).
- New Monk-martyr Dionysius of Vatopedi, Athos (1822)
- New Hieromartyrs Benjamin, metropolitan of Petrograd, and Sergius, archiman- drite, and with them New Martyrs George and John, at Petrograd (1922).
- New Hiero-confessor Basil, bishop of Kineshma (1945).
- . (Greek cal.: Consecration of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos of Blachernae. Translation of the relics of Apostle Philip to Cyprus).
HYMN OF PRAISE
Saint Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph, a wealthy and noble man,
Was not tempted concerning Christ the Crucified,
But when the sun darkened and the earth shook,
He went to Pilate and brought him news
That the Lord had died, the Giver of life;
And so the secret disciple became public.
And when the Revealed One was concealed,
the concealed one came out into the open;
Thus the wise Joseph became famous in a day.
With Nicodemus, he took Christ’s body,
And laid it in his garden, in a new tomb.
The Jewish spies heard and reported it,
And they put the righteous Joseph in chains.
In the dark prison, Joseph languished
While his Lord shone forth in hades.
Joseph pondered his memories of Christ,
Recalling His wondrous works,
And His many miracles, sayings and prophesies.
While near Him, he had stood in God’s presence:
But now all was dark, without and within.
Dark days, nights, evenings and mornings,
After the brilliant radiance of the shining sun!
Oh, desperate darkness, darker than hades!
But lo, suddenly it is dawn in the dungeon
The Risen One appears to the fettered servant.
O Joseph, brave and noble,
Neither were you tempted concerning the Risen One.
You informed Pilate of the death of Christ,
And recognized and glorified the Risen One.
Let the land of Britain honorably glorify you,
For you sowed her first seed of salvation.
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