November 18 / November 5
1. The Venerable Martyrs Galaction and his wife Episteme
Both Galaction and Episteme were born in the city of Edessa, in Phoenicia. Galaction’s mother was barren until she was baptized. After her baptism, she converted her husband [Cleitophon] to the true Faith, baptized her son Galaction, and raised him in the Christian Faith. When Gawas old enough to marry, his good mother, Leucippa, entered into rest, and his father betrothed him to a pagan-born maiden named Episteme. By no means did Galaction want to enter into marriage, and con- vinced Episteme to be baptized, then to be tonsured a nun at the same time that he became a monk. Both of them withdrew to Mount Publion—Galaction to a monastery and Episteme to a convent. They proved to be shin- ing lights in their monasteries. They were first in labor, first in prayer, first in humility and obedience, and first in love. They neither left their mon- asteries nor did they see one another until just before their death. A fierce persecution began and both of them were brought before the tribunal. When the pagans mercilessly whipped Galaction, Episteme wept. Then they whipped her. After that, they cut off their hands, their feet and then their heads. Their friend Eutolius took their bodies and honorably buried them. Eutolius had been a slave of Episteme’s parents, and then a monk with Galaction. He also wrote the life of these wonderful martyrs of Christ who suffered and received their wreaths in heaven in the year 253.
2. The Holy Apostles Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, of the Seventy
They were of the Seventy. Patrobus was Bishop of Neapolis, Hermes of Philipopolis (Romans 16:14), Linus of Rome (II Timothy 4:21), Gaius of Ephe- sus (Roman 16:23), and Philologus of Synope (Romans 16:15). All of them ful- filled the Law of Christ with love and took up their abode in the Kingdom of Christ.
3. Saint Jonah, Archbishop of Novgorod
Jonah was born in Novgorod and was orphaned early. A certain God- fearing widow took him and educated him. Seeing him as a child, Michael, the fool-for-Christ of Klops said to him prophetically: “Ivanushka, study diligently, for you will become archbishop in Novgorod the Great.” And indeed, following the death of Archbishop Euthymius, Jonah was chosen and consecrated in his place. Jonah was devout and merciful to a rare degree for a mortal man. He built churches and monasteries and cared for his flock as a true good shepherd. He was offered the throne of Moscow as Metropolitan but declined, excusing himself because of his age. He entered into rest peacefully on November 5, 1470, and settled in the joyful heav- enly habitations. One hundred years following his death there was a great fire in Novgorod. The relics of this saint did not burn in the furious flames, but on the contrary, from then on manifested healing power and emitted a wonderful fragrance.
- Martyrs Domninus, Timothy, Theophilus, Theotimus, Dorotheus, Eupsychius, Carterius, and Pamphilius, of Palestine (307).
- Cybi, abbot, of Cornwall and Wales (550).
- Odrada, virgin, of Balen (Neth.) (8th c.).
- Gregory, patriarch of Alexandria (9th c.).
- Gregory of Cassano, Calabria (1002).
- Hilarion, recluse, of Troekurovo (1853).
- Dositheus, monk of Glinsk Hermitage (1874).
HYMN OF PRAISE
The Venerable Martyrs Galaction and Episteme
Galaction, and Episteme with him,
Abandoned the world of passing smoke,
Crucified the passions of the body,
And ascended to heaven in spirit.
Their hearts remembered Christ with every beat,
And were crucified with love for Him.
Then the tormentors arrived.
Galaction went to his torture,
And Episteme hurried after:
“Slower, Brother,” she said, “do not hurry!
I was baptized by your hand,
Now take me with you to torture!
Even though I am unworthy,
Brother, I am willing to die for my Christ.”
Galaction, and Episteme with him,
Proclaimed Christ to the unbelievers,
And in bitter tortures they breathed their last.
They gave their souls to Christ:
Now they live with angels in Paradise—
Galaction and Episteme.
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