This is a write-up by Mr Jean Pierre Fava, of the Malta Tourism Authority, and Archim. George Mifsud Montanaro, Parish Priest of the Greek-Catholic Church – Malta.
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The Saint of the day 20 April† St Theodore Trichinas (the Hair-shirt wearer), hermit near Constantinople (400)
He was born in Constantinople to well-off and pious parents. He became a monastic in Thrace, and subjected himself to many ascetic labors, one of which was always to dress in a hair-shirt, from which he was called "Trichinas" (meaning "hairy").
He was granted the gift of working miracles, both during his lifetime and after his repose. His relics exuded a healing myrrh.
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Father Theodore, you were a temple of abstinence and a vessel of dispassion; you served God by your works, and were found worthy of His gifts. Now pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
The Saint of the day 13 April† Hieromartyr Artemon, presbyter of Laodicea in Syria (303)
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_13_artemon_pc.mp3"
At the time of Diocletian's persecutions, he was a very old man, having served as a reader for sixteen years, then a deacon for twenty-eight years, and finally as a priest for thirty years, for a total of seventy-four years. The pagan judge put him in the Temple of Aesculapius, where large snakes were kept and worshiped as gods. Though the judge meant for Artemon to be attacked by the snakes, the holy priest immobilized them with the sign of the Cross, brought them out of the temple and, in front of the pagan priests, breathed on the snakes, which died instantly. The chief priest, Vitalis, fell to his knees and cried 'Great is the Christian God!' Artemon baptised him along with several of his friends.
The unrepentant judge then condemned Artemon to be thrown into burning pitch, but the judge himself was thrown off his horse into the pitch and died. After this, Artemon went free for a time and spent his time teaching the Faith to his people ("accompanied always by two tame deer," says St Nikolia Velimirovic!). But he was arrested again and beheaded in the year 303.
Troparion — Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Artemon, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Made worthy of a sacred confession, / and completing your life as a martyr, / you were translated to heaven, / receiving from God an unfading crown. / Therefore we celebrate your holy memory, calling out: / Remember us, as you stand before Christ, / O wise Hieromartyr Artemon.
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The Saint of the day 20 April† St Theodore Trichinas (the Hair-shirt wearer), hermit near Constantinople (400)
He was born in Constantinople to well-off and pious parents. He became a monastic in Thrace, and subjected himself to many ascetic labors, one of which was always to dress in a hair-shirt, from which he was called "Trichinas" (meaning "hairy").
He was granted the gift of working miracles, both during his lifetime and after his repose. His relics exuded a healing myrrh.
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Father Theodore, you were a temple of abstinence and a vessel of dispassion; you served God by your works, and were found worthy of His gifts. Now pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
The Saint of the day 13 April† Hieromartyr Artemon, presbyter of Laodicea in Syria (303)
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/04_13_artemon_pc.mp3"
At the time of Diocletian's persecutions, he was a very old man, having served as a reader for sixteen years, then a deacon for twenty-eight years, and finally as a priest for thirty years, for a total of seventy-four years. The pagan judge put him in the Temple of Aesculapius, where large snakes were kept and worshiped as gods. Though the judge meant for Artemon to be attacked by the snakes, the holy priest immobilized them with the sign of the Cross, brought them out of the temple and, in front of the pagan priests, breathed on the snakes, which died instantly. The chief priest, Vitalis, fell to his knees and cried 'Great is the Christian God!' Artemon baptised him along with several of his friends.
The unrepentant judge then condemned Artemon to be thrown into burning pitch, but the judge himself was thrown off his horse into the pitch and died. After this, Artemon went free for a time and spent his time teaching the Faith to his people ("accompanied always by two tame deer," says St Nikolia Velimirovic!). But he was arrested again and beheaded in the year 303.
Troparion — Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Artemon, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Made worthy of a sacred confession, / and completing your life as a martyr, / you were translated to heaven, / receiving from God an unfading crown. / Therefore we celebrate your holy memory, calling out: / Remember us, as you stand before Christ, / O wise Hieromartyr Artemon.