March 29 / March 16
The Holy Apostle Aristobulus, one of the Seventy, bishop of Britain (1st c.)
Born in Cyprus, Aristobulus was the brother of the Apostle Barnabas. He followed the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his Epistle to the Romans (Ro- mans 16:10). When the great Apostle appointed many bishops throughout the various parts of the world, he appointed Aristobulus as bishop for the British, that is, for England. In Britain, the people were savage, heathen and wicked. Aristobulus endured many indescribable tortures, misfortunes, and evils among them. They struck and beat him mercilessly, dragged him through the streets, ridiculed, and mocked him. Finally, this holy man succeeded, by the power of the grace of God. He enlightened the people, baptized them in the name of Christ the Lord, built churches, ordained priests and deacons, and in the end died there peacefully and entered into the Kingdom of the Lord, Whom he had faithfully served.
The Holy Martyr Sabinus of Hermopolis, Egypt (303)
Sabinus was a Syrian from the city of Hermopolis and an official of that city. At the time of persecution against the Christians, he withdrew to a mountain with a large number of other Christians and closed himself off in a hut. There he spent his time in fasting and prayer. A certain beggar, who brought him food and for whom Sabinus had done much good, reported him. As Judas did to Christ, so also this unfortunate one betrayed his benefactor for two pieces of gold. Sabinus, along with six others, was apprehended, bound by the soldiers, and brought to stand trial. After severe torments, he was cast into the River Nile, where he gave up his soul to God in the year 303.
The Hieromartyrs Trophimus and Thallus, priests, of Laodicea (300) They were born in Syria and were brothers by They openly and freely preached Christ and denounced the folly of the Hellenes and Ro- mans. The enraged pagans decided to stone them to death. However, when they began hurling stones at these two holy brothers, the stones turned back and struck the assailants, and the brothers remained unharmed. Af- terward they were both crucified. From their crosses the brothers taught and encouraged those Christians who stood sorrowfully around. After much agony they presented their souls to the Lord, to Whom they had remained faithful to the end. They suffered honorably in the year 300 in the city of Bofor.
- Martyr Papas of Lycaonia (305).
- Hieromartyr Alexander, pope of Rome (119).
- Martyr Julian of Anazarbus (305).
- Abban of Kilabban (Ireland) (650).
- Martyr Romanus, at Parium on the
- Christodulus, wonderworker, of Patmos (1093).
- Pimen, fool-for-Christ, enlightener of the Dagestani, and his companion Anthony, of Meskhi, Georgia (13th c.).
- New Monk-martyr Malachi of Rhodes, at Jerusalem (1500).
- Serapion, archbishop of Novgorod (1516).
- Ambrose (Khelaia) the Confessor, catholicos of Georgia (1927).
- Eutropia of Kherson (1968)
HYMN OF PRAISE
Saints Trophimus and Thallus
Two blood-brothers imbued by the Spirit,
Illumined and regenerated by faith.
These two brothers, on the cross crucified,
Counseled the masses of right-believing people:
“O brethren, why do you gaze upon us from below?
Do not bitterly weep because of our difficult sufferings!
Christ our Savior,
Doer of heroic deeds,
Became the Redeemer because of such sufferings,
The Redeemer of the whole human race.
Listening to Him, we are being saved.
He obeyed the Father, and to the earth descended;
He suffered and resurrected, and into heaven ascended.
To Him we hearken, and we endure sufferings;
Through sufferings we walk into His Kingdom.
Fear not, brethren, either fire or the sword;
The justice of Christ is stronger than the whole world.
Fear not, brethren; neither feel sorrow for yourselves.
Deny yourselves for the sake of eternal salvation.
All sufferings are small, trivial, and bearable
Compared to the rewards of Paradise, eternal and sublime.
The world, a false mask, is an insane illusion.
Eternity: that is our true homeland.
Give the world to those who love the lie of the world;
Because of lies, they forfeit life and truth.
But you—seize the pearl above the mud of the world.”
Harken, brethren, to Trophimus and Thallus!
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