August 12 / July 30
1. The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Silas, Silvanus, Crescens, Epanetus and Andronicus
They were numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Silas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to settle the dispute between the faithful there regarding circumcision: namely, whether or not it was necessary to circumcise pagans when they converted to Christianity (Acts 15:22). After this, Silas traveled with Paul throughout Asia and Macedonia, and was appointed Bishop of Corinth, where he died peacefully. St. Silvanus assisted both of the Chief Apostles (I Peter 5:12, II Corinthians 1:19). As Bishop of Thessalonica, Silvanus labored much and suffered much, until he finally exchanged this earthly life for the heavenly life. St. Crescens was a companion of the Apostle Paul (II Timothy 4:10), and then Bishop of Gala- tia and a missionary in Gaul—where he died as a martyr for Christ during the reign of Emperor Trajan. St. Epanetus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:5) and was Bishop of Carthage. St. Andronicus, Bishop of Pannonia (Romans 16:7), is also commemorated separately on May 17.
2. The Holy Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna (Terni) in Italy, and Martyrs Proculus, Ephebus, Apollonius, and Abundius (273)
Valentine was the bishop of the Italian city of Interamna. He cured the brother of the Roman tribune, Frontanus, of an illness. When Cherimon, the son of the renowned philosopher Craton, took ill, Craton, taking the advice of Frontanus, summoned Bishop Valentine to Rome. Cherimon was completely contorted, and so bent over that his head was between his knees. Valentine secluded himself in a room with Cherimon and spent the entire night in prayer. The next day he brought Cherimon out completely healed and presented him to his father. Then Craton, his entire household, and three of his disciples were baptized. Cheri- mon left the home of his father and went with Valentine. Abundius, the son of the Roman eparch, was also baptized then. Enraged at this, the eparch arrested Valentine and beheaded him after much torture. Three disciples of Craton, Proclus, Abibus and Apollonius, were also beheaded then. Abundius took their bodies and buried them with honor. They all suffered in the year 273 and became citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom.
3. The Hieromartyr Polychronius, Bishop of Babylon in Mesopotamia When Emperor Decius overran Babylon, he captured Polychronius with three presbyters, two deacons and two baptized princes, Abdon and Polychronius made no reply before the emperor and remained silent, while St. Parmenius, a presbyter, spoke on behalf of all. The emperor took the bishop and priests to Persia, to the city of Kordoba, where they were beheaded: Elimas, and Chrysotelus, priests, and Luke and Mocius, deacons, and Martyrs Maximus and Olympius. Decius took the princes Abdon and Senin to Rome, and there they were thrown to the wild beasts, then slain by the sword. They all suffered honorably in the year 251.
4. Saint John the Soldier, at Tralles in Asia Minor (361-363)
John was a secret Christian. He was sent by Emperor Julian the Apostate to slay Christians, but helped them to hide instead. Julian cast him into a prison in Constantinople. When the evil emperor perished, John gave himself over to a life of asceticism, living in purity and holiness. He died peacefully in old age. After his death, he appeared to those who need- ed his help. Prayers directed to St. John are of help in tracking down robbers.
5. The Venerable Mother Angelina, despotina of Serbia (16th c.)
Angelina was a Serbian Princess. Her relics repose in the Monastery of Krušedol (see her life on December 12).
- Martyrs Abdon and Sennen, princes of Persia, at Rome (251).
- Prince Tsotne Dadiani the Confessor, of Mingrelia, Georgia (13th ).
- Stephen Vladislav of Serbia (1243).
- Uncovering of the relics (1484) of Herman of Solovki (1479).
- New Hiero-confessor Anatole II, elder, of Optina Monastery (1922).
- Synaxis of the Saints of Samara.
- Sitka Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Saint Polychronius
The pagan ruler, the terrible Emperor Decius,
Cried out in fury: “O Polychronius,
Why do you not honor the gods of Rome, O Elder?
Why do you not obey the royal commands?”
But the saint said nothing,
and remained silent.
Again the emperor asked him and the saint did not speak.
“This man is a mute!” said Decius.
Parmenius replied: “Our father is not mute,
But by not speaking he keeps his mouth pure.
He keeps his mouth pure by the command of Christ:
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,
Neither cast ye your pearls before swine!
The saint is guarding his pearl, keeping it to himself,
That he not sully his mouth by speaking with you.”
Decius was enraged like never before,
And demanded that Parmenius’s tongue be severed.
They cut off his tongue—but what did that mean to him?
The saint’s speech was now more beautiful, and stronger.
The Lord fights for His zealous servants,
And guards them from shame and the mockery of men.
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