April 29th (V - 12)

Icon of St. Jason and Sosipater of the 70 Apostles

Nine Martyrs of Kyzika: Theognides, Ruphos, Antipater, Theostikhos, Artemon, Magnos, Theodotos, Thaumasios and Philemon (+ c. 284-292). Monk Memnon the Wonderworker. Martyrs: Diodorus and Rodopian the Deacon (+ c. 284-305); John the Valakh (Roumenia). Sainted Vasilii, Bishop of Zakholmsk and Skenderia (XVI). Sainted Arsenii, Archbishop of Suzdal (+ 1627).

The Nine Holy Martyrs of Kyzika: The city of Kyzika is located in Asia Minor at the coast of the Dardenelles (Hellespont) Straits. Christianity there began to spread about already during the time of the preaching of the Apostle Paul (Comm. 29 June). But under the times of persecutions by the pagans events came to this -- that some of the Christians fled the city, while others kept their faith in Christ in secret. Therefore by the time of the end of the III Century Kyzika was still basically a pagan city, although there was also a Christian church there. The situation in the city distressed true Christians, who sought to uphold the Christian faith. From there were also the Nine holy Martyrs: Theognides, Ruphos, Antipater, Theostikhos, Artemon, Magnos, Theodotos, Thaumasios and Philemon. They hailed from various places, and were of different ages: both the young like Saint Antipater, and the very old like Saint Ruphos, and they came from various positions in society: among them were soldiers, countryfolk and city-people, and clergy. But all of them declared their faith in Christ and were all the more intense in their yearning for the spread and strengthening of the True Faith.

Having shown up in the city of Kyzika, the saints boldly confessed Christ and fearlessly denounced the pagan impiety. They were arrested and brought to trial before the city governor. Over the course of several days they were tortured, locked up in prison and again led out from it, and promised their freedom for a renunciation of Christ. But the valiant martyrs of Christ continued to glorify the Name of Christ. All nine martyrs were beheaded by the sword (+ c. 284-292), and their bodies buried nearby the city.

In the year 324, -- when the Eastern half of the Roman empire came under the rule of Saint Constantine the Great (306-337, Comm. 21 May), and the persecutions against Christians ended, the Kyzika Christians removed the undecayed bodies of the 9 martyrs from the ground and placed them in a church, built in their honour.

Various miracles occurred from the holy relics: the sick were healed, and the mentally aberrant brought to their senses. The faith of Christ grew within the city through the intercession of the holy martyrs, and many of the pagans were converted to Christianity.

When Julian the Apostate (361-363) came to rule, the pagans of Kyzika turned to him with a complaint against the Christians for the destruction of pagan temples. Julian gave orders to rebuild the pagan temples and to lock up in prison bishop Eleusios. Bishop Eleusios was set free after the death of Julian, and the light of the Christian faith shined anew through the assist of the holy martyrs.

In Russia not far from the city of Kazan was built a monastery in honour of the Nine Martyrs of Kyzika. It was built by the monk-deacon Stefan, who brought with him from Palestine part of the relics of the saints. This monastery was built in the hope of deliverance through their intercession and prayers from various infirmities and ills, particularly the fever which raged through Kazan in the year 1687, "since, -- writes Sainted Dimitrii of Rostov (+ 1709, Comm. 21 September), the compiler of the service to the 9 Martyrs, -- by these saints was given abundant grace for the dispelling of feverish and trembling sicknesses". Saint Dimitrii likewise described the sufferings of the holy martyrs and compiled a sermon on the day of their memory.

The Monk Memnon the Wonderworker from the time of his youth asceticised in the Egyptian wilderness. By his arduous ascetic efforts he attained a victory of spirit over the flesh.

Having become hegumen of one of the Egyptian monasteries, he wisely and carefully guided the brethren. And even while aiding them through prayer and counsel, the saint did not waver in his efforts in the struggle with temptation.

Through unceasing prayer and toil he received the gift of perspicacity; through his prayer a spring of water gushed forth in the wilderness; locusts destroying the harvest perished; those suffering shipwreck and calling on his name were saved. After his death the mere mention of his name dispelled a plague of locusts and undid the cunning wiles of evil spirits.

The Holy Martyrs Diodorus and Rodopian the Deacon suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) in Carian Aphrodisium. For spreading the Christian faith amongst the pagans they were stoned to death.

Saint Vasilii, Bishop of Zakholmsk, was born of pious parents in the XVI Century in the Popov district of Herzegovina. At the age of maturity he left his parental home and settled in the Trebinsk monastery in honour of the Uspenie-Dormition of the MostHoly Mother of God, and became a monk. For his virtuous life the saint was elevated to bishop of Zakholm and Skenderia. He occupied the bishop's cathedra-chair in the 2nd half of the XVI Century, successor to bishop Paul and predecessor to bishop Nikodim. Saint Vasilii was a good pastor of the flock of Christ, and the Lord strengthened his discourse with various miracles. For the sanctifying of soul with the wisdom of holy ascetic fathers, the saint journeyed to Athos. Saint Vasilii died peacefully and was buried in the city of Ostrog in Chernogoria on the border with Herzegovina.

The Memory of 22 Holy Martyrs is made on this day, but their names, and the time and place of their sufferings is unknown.

© 2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos