This section contains information about the Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Valletta. Choose the article you wish to read from the list below, or use the dropdown menu above.
Facebook feed
20th March: Today we commemorate these saints.The Saint of the day 20 March† Our righteous Fathers martyred at the Monastery of St Sabbas the Sanctified
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/03_20_martyrs_sabbas.mp3
The holy Monastery of St Sabbas is still in existence today, by the providence of God, though several times in its history it has been plundered and left empty. At one time it was attacked by Arab raiders. The monks considered fleeing, but their abbot, Thomas, said, 'We have fled from the world into this wilderness for the love of Christ; it would be shameful for us now to flee from the wilderness for fear of men. If we are killed here, we shall be killed through love for Christ, for whose sake we have come here to live.' So the monks agreed with one mind to wait their attackers unarmed.
The Arabs killed some with arrows, and shut some in the cave of St Sabbas, lighting a fire at the entrance to suffocate them with smoke. The whole company of monks were thus privileged to give their lives for the sake of Christ.
Accounts of the date differ substantially: the Great Horologion says that they died during the reign of the Emperor Heraclius, when St Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634); the Prologue that they died in 796 during the reign of Constantine and Irene, when Elias was Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Troparion — Tone 4
As chosen and holy lambs of the Savior, / you were gathered together in wise Sabbas’ flock from many lands. / You were put to death by the cruelty of the barbarians / and you departed joyfully to the heavenly fold. / As righteous athletes you now pray for our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
You openly disdained the pleasure of earthly and corruptible things, / choosing instead a life in the desert. / You despised the beautiful things of this world / together with the food that passes away. / Therefore, all-blessed ones, you were counted worthy of the Kingdom of heaven, / where you rejoice with the choirs of martyrs and ascetics. / As we honor your memory, / we earnestly cry out to you: / deliver us, O Fathers, from tribulations!
19th March: Today's SaintO Saint of God, intercede for us.The Saint of the day 19 March
† Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria, and those with them at Rome (283)
audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/03_19_chrysanthos_pc.mp3
Chrysanthos was the only son of Polemon, a prominent pagan in Rome. As befit his status, he was given every opportunity for secular learning, but seemed unable to acquire worldly wisdom. By God's providence, copies of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles came into his possession and, reading them avidly, he was enlightened and desired above all to be a Christian.
He found a priest, Carpophorus, who instructed him in the Faith and baptised him. When his father discovered Chrysanthos' conversion, he was angry and did everything he could to turn his son back to paganism, using even threats and imprisonment.
When none of these measures worked, Polemon arranged for his son to be married to a beautiful and learned young pagan woman named Daria, hoping that affection for her would draw his son away from Christ. But instead, Chrysanthus persuaded Daria of the truth of Christianity, and she was secretly baptised.
When his father died, Chrysanthus and his wife began to confess Christ openly and to live publicly as Christians. They were soon arrested and grievously tortured for their faith. The torturer, whose name was Claudius, was so moved by their endurance and patience that he himself embraced the Faith, along with his whole household. For this they were executed: Claudius by drowning, his two sons by beheading, and his wife by hanging. Finally Chrysanthus and Daria were buried alive in a pit and covered with stones.
This was during the reign of the Emperor Numerian.
Troparion — Tone 1
Let us honor the like-minded pair of martyrs / Chrysanthos, scion of purity, and supremely modest Daria. / United in holiness of faith, / they shone forth as communicants of God the Word. / They fought lawfully for Him and now save those who sing: / “Glory to Him who has strengthened you! / Glory to Him who has crowned you! / Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!”
Kontakion — Tone 1
In the sweet fragrance of holiness, O Chrysanthos, / you drew Daria to saving knowledge. / Together in contest you routed the serpent, / the author of all evil, / and were worthily taken up to the heavenly realms.
You must be logged in to post a comment.