October 31st (XI - 13)

Icon of Disciples from the Seventy: Stakhias, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos, the Martyr Epimakhos and the Nun Maura

Disciples from the Seventy: Stakhias, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos (I). Martyr Epimakhos (+ c. 250). Monks Spiridon and Nikodim, Prosphora-Makers of Pechersk, in the Nearer Caves (XII). Nun Maura (V). Holy 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi (Gruzia), Suffering under the Mongols (+ 1240). Martyrs Stephen, Barnabas, Trophymos, Dorimedontos, Cosmas, Damian, Sava, Vasos, Abraham and their Companions. 12 Virgin Martyrs. Martyrs Seleukos and Stratonikes (+ 309). Martyr Nicholas of Chios (+ 1754). Child-Martyr. Three Martyrs of Meletineia. Saints Arsakios, Artemios, Germanos, Romanos and Nyssios. Saint Theodore the Merchant.

The Holy Disciples from the Seventy -- Stakhios, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos (I): The holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called ordained Stakhias to the dignity of bishop of Byzantium, where he was bishop for sixteen years, zealously preaching the Gospel of Christ and converting pagans to the true faith. Saint Amplias was bishop in the city of Diospolis; Saint Urban -- in Macedonia. They also were bishops by the consecration of the holy Apostle Andrew. For preaching the Gospel they were put to a martyr's death by Jews and pagan Greeks. Saint Narcissos was bishop in the city of Athens. Saint Apellias was bishop at Heraclium. About Saint Aristoboulos the account is situated under 16 March.

The Holy Martyr Epimakhos was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mount Peleusis. During the time of a persecution against Christians at Alexandria (about the year 250), Saint Epimakhos in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed the teaching of Christ. For this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman with infirmity of the eyes; a droplet of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. After fierce tortures the saint was beheaded by the sword.

The Monks Spiridon and Nikodim, Prosphora-Makers of Pechersk (XII), for 30 years fulfilled their obedience -- they baked prophora. The Monk Spiridon came to the monastery during the time of the hegumen Pimen (1132-1141), already no longer young a man. The ascetic combined his work with unceasing prayer and the singing of psalms. Even during his life the Monk Spiridon was glorified by miracles. An instance is known, when he extinguished his mantle which had caught fire from the oven -- the fire was put out, but the mantle remained whole. Saint Nikodim toiled together with the Monk Spiridon and led a very strict life. Their relics are located in the Antoniev Cave. The fingers of the right hand of the Monk Spiridon are positioned together three-fingered. Their memory is also 28 September and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Nun Maura pursued asceticism at Tsargrad, where she founded a monastery, and at which she died in the V Century.