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27th September: Today's SaintO Saint of God, intercede for us.The Saint of the day 27 September
† Holy Martyr Callistratus and the Forty-nine Martyrs with Him (288/304)
Callistratus was born in Carthage to Christian parents. In time, he joined the army, where he was the only Christian in his regiment. One of his fellow-soldiers saw Callistratus rise during the night to pray, and reported him to their commander.
Callistratus was interrogated, then, when he refused to deny his faith or make sacrifice to the idols, was harshly beaten, then tied in a sack and thrown in the sea. But the sack burst open and Callistratus emerged from the sea unharmed.
Seeing this, forty-nine of his fellow-soldiers confessed Christ, and were beaten and thrown into prison with Callistratus. In prison, Callistratus instructed the newly-enlightened Christians in the faith.
Finally, all of them were beheaded, according to some sources in 288, according to others in 304.
Troparion — Tone 3
In contest you were strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Martyr Callistratus, / and were glorious in casting down the Enemy. / You offered a noble army of athletes / as sweet-smelling incense to Christ. / With them pray for us who praise you with hymns.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...” / Like stars you have shone upon the world / shedding the light of your contests and miracles upon all who cry to you: / “Rejoice, Martyr Callistratus and fellow company of martyrs.
26th September: Today's SaintO Saint of God, intercede for us.September 26
† Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist St John the Theologian
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/09_26_john_evangelist.mp3
The holy Apostle was, by the world's reckoning, the nephew of our Saviour, since his mother Salome was the daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed. Called 'the beloved disciple, St John was the only one of Christ's disciples to follow Him to the Cross. He was entrusted by the Saviour with the care of the most holy Theotokos, and became like another son to her, providing for her care until the day of her repose.
He preached the Gospel of Christ throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. During the persecutions of the Emperor Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, where he was subjected to various tortures; but when he emerged from these miraculously unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.
After the death of Domitian, he returned to Ephesus and there wrote his Gospel and Epistles. He reposed in peace at a great old age. When his disciples later opened his grave, they found that his body was not there. He is called the Theologian because of the sublimity of theological expression in his New Testament writings.
Troparion of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian in Tone Two
O Apostle John, speaker of divinity, the beloved of Christ God, hasten and deliver thy people powerless in argument; for He on Whose bosom thou didst lean accepteth thee as an intercessor. Beseech Him, therefore, to disperse the cloud of the stubborn nations, asking for us safety and the Great Mercy.
Facebook feed
27th September: Today's SaintO Saint of God, intercede for us.The Saint of the day 27 September
† Holy Martyr Callistratus and the Forty-nine Martyrs with Him (288/304)
Callistratus was born in Carthage to Christian parents. In time, he joined the army, where he was the only Christian in his regiment. One of his fellow-soldiers saw Callistratus rise during the night to pray, and reported him to their commander.
Callistratus was interrogated, then, when he refused to deny his faith or make sacrifice to the idols, was harshly beaten, then tied in a sack and thrown in the sea. But the sack burst open and Callistratus emerged from the sea unharmed.
Seeing this, forty-nine of his fellow-soldiers confessed Christ, and were beaten and thrown into prison with Callistratus. In prison, Callistratus instructed the newly-enlightened Christians in the faith.
Finally, all of them were beheaded, according to some sources in 288, according to others in 304.
Troparion — Tone 3
In contest you were strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Martyr Callistratus, / and were glorious in casting down the Enemy. / You offered a noble army of athletes / as sweet-smelling incense to Christ. / With them pray for us who praise you with hymns.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...” / Like stars you have shone upon the world / shedding the light of your contests and miracles upon all who cry to you: / “Rejoice, Martyr Callistratus and fellow company of martyrs.
26th September: Today's SaintO Saint of God, intercede for us.September 26
† Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist St John the Theologian
media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/09_26_john_evangelist.mp3
The holy Apostle was, by the world's reckoning, the nephew of our Saviour, since his mother Salome was the daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed. Called 'the beloved disciple, St John was the only one of Christ's disciples to follow Him to the Cross. He was entrusted by the Saviour with the care of the most holy Theotokos, and became like another son to her, providing for her care until the day of her repose.
He preached the Gospel of Christ throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. During the persecutions of the Emperor Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, where he was subjected to various tortures; but when he emerged from these miraculously unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.
After the death of Domitian, he returned to Ephesus and there wrote his Gospel and Epistles. He reposed in peace at a great old age. When his disciples later opened his grave, they found that his body was not there. He is called the Theologian because of the sublimity of theological expression in his New Testament writings.
Troparion of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian in Tone Two
O Apostle John, speaker of divinity, the beloved of Christ God, hasten and deliver thy people powerless in argument; for He on Whose bosom thou didst lean accepteth thee as an intercessor. Beseech Him, therefore, to disperse the cloud of the stubborn nations, asking for us safety and the Great Mercy.
