June

Synaxarion
This month has thirty days with fifteen hours of day and nine hours of
night.

June 1
Memory of the holy Martyr Justin the Philosopher and
His Companions Chariton, Charitos, Evelpistos,
Hierarcos, Peon, and Liberian (+165)
Saint Justin was born in Flavia Neapolis of Syria, Ancient
Sichem. He was converted to the Christian faith in
Ephesus, under Emperor Hadrian (117-138). He went to
Rome where he opened a school and wrote his numerous
treatises against the Gentiles and heretics. Around 150 he
addressed an apology to Emperor Antoninus, refuting
pagan errors and proving the Christian religion by
philosophical and scriptural arguments. Around the year
155/160, he wrote another apology in favor of the
Christians which he addressed to the Roman Senate.
Pursued by the philosopher Crescentius' hate, he was seized
with six other Christians. "They were all led before
Rusticus, the Prefect of Rome. Upon their refusal to
sacrifice to the gods and to obey the imperial ordinances,
they were scourged then beheaded, and thus consumated
their martyrdom in the confession of Our Lord around the
year 165. Certain faithful secretly stole their bodies to bury
them in a proper place" (an Extract from the Acts of their
martyrdom).
Fifth Class Feast.

June 2
Memory of our Father among the Saints Nicephoros the
Confessor,
Archbishop of Constantinople (758-829)

Saint Nicephoros was born around 758 in Constantinople

and was raised there under the ungodly Emperor
Constantine V Copronymus. His parents, Theodore and
Eudocia, were of a noble and renowned family. Theodore,
the secretary of imperial rescripts, accused of honoring the
Holy Icons, was torn by whip lashes and sent to a horrible
prison in Mylassa in Caria of Asia. Subsequently recalled,
he refused to obey the Emperor's orders and was again
exiled to Nicaea. He remained there six years and
committed his soul in the midst of many sufferings.
Because of his first-rate education, his son Nicephoros was
named imperial secretary in his place and in that way
attended the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787, the
second of Nicaea. He left Constantinople and escaped to
the banks of the Bosphorus where he lived alone with God.
Recalled to the city by Emperor Constantine
Pophyrogenitus, he was named administrator of the
infirmary for the poor in the capital. Upon the holy
Archbishop Tarasios' death, he was entreated to mount the
throne of Constantinople. He unwillingly accepted in 806.
Shortly after, Leo the Armenian, becoming Emperor in 813,
made war against the Holy Icons. He deposed Saint
Nicephoros from his throne and exiled him to Chrysopolis
(Scutari) in 815. Weighed down by prolonged sorrows, the
Saint committed his soul to God on June 2, 829, in the land
of exile, under Emperor Michael the Stammerer, Leo's
successor. The translation of his holy relics took place
under Patriarch Saint Methodius in 847. It is
commemorated on March 13.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 3
Memory of the holy Martyr Lucillian (?)
Saint Lucillian suffered martyrdom under Emperor
Aurelian. He was a venerable old man, a former pagan
priest who lived not far from Nicomedia. He was seized for
Christ's faith and brought before Count Silvan. Upon his
refusal to renounce Christ and return to his old religion, his
jawbone was broken, he was scourged, and he was
suspended by the head. Thrown into prison, he met four
children who were held there for the same reason. With
them he was brought before the Count again. Persevering in
their faith, they were thrown together into a fiery furnace.

They came out of it unharmed, a miraculous rain having

put out the fire. The Count pronounced their death sentence
and ordered them to be led to Byzantium where the
children were beheaded and Saint Lucillian was crucified.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 4
Memory of our Father among the Saints Metrophanes,
Bishop of Constantinople (+314)
Saint Metrophanes was the Bishop of Byzantium around
306 or 307. He died on June 4, 314. According to some, he
would have been Bishop of Byzantium in 320, and would
have sent a representative to the First Ecumenical Council
of Nicaea in 325, his old age having prevented him from
attending in person. In any case it is necessary to point out
that the Triadikos Canons in the Oktoechos which bear
Metrophanes' name are by another Metrophanes, the
Bishop of Smyrna, who lived around the middle of the
Ninth century at the time of Patriarch Photius.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 5
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Dorotheos,
Bishop of Tyre (?)
At the age of one hundred and seven years old, Saint
Dorotheos, the Bishop of Tyre, was put to death by the
idolaters under Julian the Apostate in 362, in Odyssopolis
of Thrace (Varna today). According to some, he was put to
death in Edessa in Mesopotamia. He possessed astonishing
knowledge and understood Latin. Wrongly attributed to
him is a childish compilation "Concerning the Prophets,
Apostles, and the Seventy Disciples," more commonly
known under the title of: "Synopsis of Dorotheos," as well
as the "Succession of Byzantium's Bishops" composed by
some ill-disposed forgers to prove that the see of
Byzantium is more ancient than that of Rome.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 6

Memory of our venerable Fathers Bessarion the

Wonderworker
(end of the Fifth century), and Hilarion the Younger,
Hegumen of the Monastery of Dalmaton (ca. 776-845)
A disciple of Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Saint Bessarion
lived in Egypt and died around the end of the Fifth century.
Saint Hilarion was born around 776. He was the son of
Peter of Cappadocia and Theodosia. His pious parents were
known by Emperor Leo IV the Khazar, his father being the
bread supplier at the imperial table. According to the
Evangelical counsel, at twenty years of age he left his
father, mother, home, and possessions, and entered the
monastery of Xerokopios in Byzantium. He then went to
the monastery of Dalmaton, where he received the Great
Angelic Habit and priestly ordination. Upon the hegumen's
death, Emperor Nicephoros I Logothetus (802-811) as well
as the Patriarch of Constantinople designated him to
succeed him. He ruled Christ's flock with divine virtue for
eight years. When the savage Leo the Armenian seized the
imperial scepter and undertook to destroy the Holy Icons,
the Saint was led to the imperial palace and called upon in
vain to reject the Holy Icons. The Emperor sent him to the
monastery of Phoneus near Detroit, where he kept him for
six months. Then he had him shut up and maltreated in the
monastery of Cyclobium. After two years and six months,
he was sent to a military prison from which he withdrew
him to exile him to the fortress of Protilion, after a cruel
beating. Under Michael the Stammerer, becoming Emperor
in 820, the Saint was freed and sheltered by a pious woman
who served him for seven years. Emperor Theophilos again
arrested all confessors of the faith in order to imprison
them. After having received one hundred and seventeen
whip lashes on his back, Saint Hilarion was exiled for eight
years to the island of Aphousia. Upon Theophilos' death in
842, Empress Theodora called all the exiled confessors
together in the capital in 843 and confirmed Orthodoxy by
the exaltation and veneration of the Holy Icons. Set free,
the Saint returned to his monastery where he died three
years later in 845 or 846.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 7

Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Theodotos,

Bishop of Ancyra (+303)
Before Prefect Theoteknon, Saint Theodore was accused of
searching for and burying the bodies of holy virgin martyrs
who had been hurled into the lake at Ancyra in Galatia.
Brought before the Prefect, he confessed that he was a
Christian, and affirmed that owing to Christ's might he as a
private individual was stronger than all emperors and that
he did not in the least fear governors. He was then cruelly
beaten, twice suspended in a tree, and his body was opened
by wounds. He consummated his martyrdom in 303, under
Emperor Diocletian.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 8
Translation of the relics of the holy Great martyr
Theodore of Tyre, the Leader of Armies (before the
Fifth century)
The body of Saint Theodore was transferred from Amasea,
a city of Pontus, to the city of Euchaita at an uncertain date
before the Fifth century. Saint Theodore himself is
commemorated on February 8.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 9
Memory of our Father among the Saints Cyril,
Archbishop of Alexandria (+444)
Through his mother Saint Cyril was a nephew of
Theophilos, the Archbishop of Alexandria. Theophilos
looked after his education from his youth. Cyril succeeded
him in his see in 412. He courageously opposed Nestorius,
the Archbishop of Constantinople who, with his priest
Anastasius, advocated a doctrine injurious to the Holy
Theotokos. Nestorius said: "Mary cannot be called
Theotokos, because Mary is a human creature and it is
impossible for God to be born of a human creature." Cyril
attended the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus held in
431, under Emperor Theodosius the Younger. He presided
over it in the name of Pope Saint Celestine I, the Bishop of

Rome. He covered Nestorius, the blasphemer of the

Theotokos, with shame by his indisputable arguments and
refuted his doctrine. Deposed from his throne in the month
of August of the same year by Nestorian intrigues, he
remounted it shortly afterwards in the month of October.
After having governed Christ's Church for thirty-two years,
he died in 444, leaving numerous valuable works,
commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, dogmatical treatises
on the Christian faith, demonstrations of the truth, and
refutations of heresies.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 10
Memory of the holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina (313)
The holy Hieromartyr Timothy, Archbishop of Brusa
(+under Julian the Apostate, 362-363)
The holy martyrs Alexander and Antonina suffered for the
faith in Constantinople in 313, under Emperor Maximian
and President Festus. Saint Antonina was condemned to be
relegated to a place of debauchery. Saint Alexander was
able to provide her with other clothes and to facilitate her
escape by taking her place. Both of them were seized. Their
hands were cut off and they were thrown into a fire.
The holy hieromartyr Timothy suffered under Emperor
Julian the Apostate around 362-363.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 11
Memory of the holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
(First century)
According to a good number of scholars, Bartholomew (the
son of Talmai), is to be identified with Nathaneal.
Consequently, his complete name would be Nathaneal the
son of Talmai. He was one of the Twelve Apostles and a
native of Gelilean. According to the data of the Gospel, that
is all that can be affirmed for certain regarding him.
Saint Barnabas was a Levite and a native of Cyprus. At first
called Joseph, he was surnamed Barnabas, that is "Son of

Consolation" or "Son of Exhortation," no doubt in order to

distinguish him from another Joseph called Barsabbas and
surnamed Justus. The Acts tell that Saint Barnabas had a
field which he sold and brought the proceeds and laid it at
the Apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37). A preacher of the Gospel
in many places and a traveling companion and intimate
friend of Saint Paul according to the Testimony of tradition,
he was stoned to death in his native land. In 488, under
Emperor Zeno, his holy body was said to have been
discovered with the Gospel of Saint Matthew in Greek
upon his chest. The precious discovery was offered to
Emperor Zeno. Owing to this fact the Archbishop of
Constantia, Cyprus, has the privilege to be autocephalous,
to wear a red silk cloak, to hold a scepter instead of a
pastoral staff, to sign his signature in red characters, and to
be called by the name of Beatitude.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 12
Memory of our venerable Fathers Onuphrius
(Fourth-Fifth century) and
Peter of Mount Athos (+890)
A native of Egypt, Saint Onuphrius lived in a coenobium in
Hermopolis of Thebes around the Fourth or Fifth century.
Having heard the story of the lives of the prophet Elia and
Saint John the Baptist, he left the coenobium and settled in
the desert. He remained there sixty years without seeing a
man. A monk named Paphnutios met him on a trip which he
had undertaken into the depths of the desert to receive the
blessing of the holy anchorites. He sat down next to him
and begged him to tell him his name and the story of his
life. Saint Onuphrios complied with his wish. Later
Paphnutios gave an account of it to the monks of Skete, as
well as to many others whom he had met during his journey
across the desert. Saint Onuphrius died in Saint Paphnutios'
presence. Saint Paphnutios divided his cloak in two parts.
With one part he covered the Saint's nude body which was
only protected by his white hair.
Saint Peter lived in the Ninth century. A soldier of the
imperial guard, he resolved to become a monk. During an
expedition in Syria, where various imperial armies were
brought into action, it happened that the Roman soldiers,

upon seeing the barbarians stronger than they, turned their

backs on the enemy. A great number of soldiers were taken
prisoner. Among them was Peter, who was sent to a fortress
called Samaran and, as the spoils of war, was delivered
over to a chief of the victorious armies in 838. When he
was freed he went to Rome where he received monastic
tonsure from the hands of the Pope at that time, perhaps
Gregory IV (827-844). Then he left Rome in peace and set
sail for the East. Carried off course by a storm, he was
thrown at the foot of Mount Athos. For fifty-three years he
led the hermitic life there, without ever seeing a man's face.
God wishing to manifest him to men, had a hunter come to
the place where the Saint led his angelic life. The hermit
greeted, reassured, and related to him all that had happened
to him. The hunter returned home. Then he took two monks
and his brother with him and made his way toward the
grotto. They arrived there very quickly, but found the
blessed one already dead (around 890). His holy body was
carried to the monastery of Clement, then to the market
town of Phokomia, on the borders of Thrace.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 13
Memory of the holy Martyr Aquilina (+293)
Our Father among the Saints Triphyllios,
Bishop of Leucosia in Cyprus (Fourth century)
Saint Aquilina suffered for the faith in Byblus, First
Phoenicia, under Emperor Maximin in 293.
Saint Triphyllios was a native of Cyprus. Before becoming
the herald of the Christian faith, he had studied law in the
famous school of Beirut, Phoenicia. A deacon of Saint
Spiridon, the Bishop of Tremithus, he was named Bishop of
Ledrae in Cyprus, also called Leucopolis or Leucosia. He
attended the Synod of Sardica in 343. He was considered as
one of the greatest rhetors of his country. He wrote a good
number of works which unfortunately have not come down
to us.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 14

Memory of the holy Prophet Elisae (Ninth century B.C.)

Our Father among the Saints Methodius the Confessor,
Archbishop of Constantinople (+847)
The prophet Elisae, Saphat's son, was a simple peasant
from the city of Abel-Mehula in the land of Manasse.
During Josaphat's reign in Israel (873-849), on God's order
the prophet Elia called him to continue his work. Elisae bid
farewell to his parents and followed Elia. He served the
prophet until his assumption into heaven. Having inherited
his master's mantle and double his spirit, he showed by his
wonderful works that he had been his master's disciple. He
prophesied until Joas' reign over Israel (801-786). He died
in old age and was buried in Samaria.
Saint Methodius was born of noble and rich parents in
Syracuse, Sicily, around the end of the Eighth century. He
entered the monastery of Klenolak, on the Propontis. He
later became hegumen of this monastery. He was sent to
Rome as an ambassador, no doubt to plead the cause of
Saint Nicephoros of Constantinople who had been exiled
by Leo the Armenian. He only returned to Constantinople
after Leo's death in 820. An ardent defender of the Holy
Icons, he was immediately exiled to the island of Saint
Andrew, near Acritas in Bithynia (present day Touzla) by
Michael the Stammerer. He was thrown into a prison as
dark as a tomb. A poor fisherman was charged with his
upkeep. Upon Michael's death in 829, the Saint's high
culture gained for him the friendship of Emperor
Theophilos, even though he was an Iconoclast. When the
Church had recovered its liberty under Empress Theodora,
the Saint was appointed to the see of Constantinople in 843,
which he firmly administered for four years. He died of
dropsy on June 14, 847, leaving numerous works.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 15
Memory of the holy Prophet Amos (Eighth century
B.C.)
Amos was born in Thecua in Juda. A private individual, a
guardian of sheep and goats, he prophesied under Jeroboam

II, King of Israel (783-743), and Ozia, King of Juda (769738). He is the third of the Minor Prophets.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 16
Memory of our holy Father and Wonderworker Tychon,
Bishop of Amathus in Cyprus
(+under Theodosius the Younger, 408-450)
It is believed that Saint Tychon lived under Emperor
Theodosius the Younger (408-450). His life has been
transmitted to us by his compatriot from Cyprus, Saint John
the Almsgiver, who composed it according to the local
traditions of his native country. His pious parents had
consecrated him to God in his infancy. He was instructed in
the Sacred Scriptures and he meditated upon them at
length. Ordained a deacon by Mnemonius, the Bishop of
Amathus, he succeeded him on the throne by Saint
Epiphanios' appointment. He converted a great number of
pagans to Christ's faith. He destroyed their idols and
temples. He died in peace having worked numerous
miracles during his life and continuing to do so after his
death.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 17
Memory of the holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael
(?)
These three brother-martyrs were natives of Persia. Their
father was the leader of the Magi but their mother was a
fervent Christian. They learned the true faith and Holy
Scriptures from a holy priest named Eunician. They were
sent by Sapor II, the King of Persia, to Julian the Apostate
to negotiate a peace. At Chalcedon they saw the Emperor
and a great number of his followers sacrifice to idols in the
temple called Trigone. They were greatly grieved by it and
their piety made them ask Christ to guard them in His faith
and not allow them to be shaken by pagan errors. Accused
before the Emperor, they were cruelly scourged, their bones
were pierced, and their sides were burned with flaming

torches... They consumated their martyrdom by the sword

in Chalcedon.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 18
Memory of the holy Martyr Leontios
(+under Vespasian, 69-79)
Saint Leontios suffered for the faith in Tripolis, First
Phoenicia, under Emperor Vespasian (69-79). It is related
that being an army general, he had been denounced as a
Christian before Adrian, the Governor of Phoenicia, who
sent a tribune named Hypatios and two soldiers to seize
him, one of whom was named Theodulos. Favored by a
celestial vision, Hypatios and Theodulos believed in Christ
and received holy baptism. Advised of what had happened,
the governor had them beheaded after having them
submitted to many tortures. As for Saint Leontios, he died
beating in the midst of the tortures.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 19
Memory of the holy Apostle Jude (First century)
Without doubt Saint Jude was a native Galilean as were the
other Apostles. He is called by Saint Luke (Luke 6:16),
Jude of James, that it, Jude the brother of Saint James the
Less. Saint Matthew (Matthew 10:3) names him, Lebbaios
surnamed Thaddeus. He was a relative of the Lord
according to the flesh. He is the author of the last of the
Catholic Epistles. His epistle was addressed to the JudeoChristians of the Diaspora after the capture of Jerusalem by
Vespasian.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 20
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Methodius,
Bishop of Olympus (+311-312)

For his extensive knowledge and imminent virtue Saint

Methodius was called the "Good Counsellor." He was
concurrently Bishop of Olympus and Patara in Lycia, then
he was transferred to the see of Tyre. He died a martyr in
Chalcis in Coelesyria under Emperor Maximian around
311-312. He left many writings. The best known and the
most beautiful is without contradictions, "The Banquet" or
"On Virginity."
Fifth Class Feast.

June 21
Memory of the holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus (?)
A native of Cilicia, Saint Julian suffered for the faith in an
unknown place and at a date which can not be exactly
determined. Led before President Marcian, he was exposed
to the beasts. Then for an entire year he was ignominiously
dragged throughout the whole of Cilicia. Not having
succeeded in making him sacrifice to idols, the President
ordered that he be enclosed in a sack filled with sand and
thrown into the sea. The Saint thus received the crown of
martyrdom. Saint John Chrysostom gave his panegyric.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 22
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Eusebius of Samosata
(379-380)
Toward the end of the reign of the Arian Emperor
Constantius, Constantine the Great's son, Saint Eusebius in
361 became the Bishop of Samosata near the Euphrates
River. Having been transferred to Constantinople in 360,
Eudoxius of Antioch gathered a synod in the Emperor's
presence which transferred Saint Meletios, the old Bishop
of Sebastea, from Beroea to the see of Antioch. The new
bishop at first abstained from speaking on dogmatic
questions, contenting himself to offer moral teaching to his
listeners. Then he firmly sided with the faith of Nicaea and
taught the Homoousios. Informed of this fact, the Emperor
condemned him to exile and threatened to cut off Saint
Eusebius' right hand if he did not hand over Saint Meletios'
election document which he held in his possession.

Eusebius held out both hands at once and said that he

willingly preferred to see them cut off rather than hand over
the asked for document and thus betray Orthodoxy by it. In
370, he participated in the election of Saint Basil the Great
to the see of Caesarea. Eusebius always manifested a fond
friendship for Saint Basil the Great. The Arian Emperor
Valens, the successor of Constantius and Julian, deposed
him in 374 and exiled him to Thrace near the Istra River.
Having learned of the shortage of pastors which many
churches were suffering, disguised as a soldier and wearing
a tiara, he traveled through Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine,
ordaining everywhere priests and deacons, providing for
the needs of the Church and placing Orthodox bishops
whom he met at the head of vacant Churches. After Valens'
death, the very pious Emperor Theodosius gave him back
his see in 378. He consecrated a great number of Orthodox
bishops. The last one that he consecrated was Maris, the
Bishop of Doliche. Upon entering the city, an Arian fanatic
threw a brick at him from a high terrace. It shattered his
skull and soon sent him to a better life in 379-380. In dying,
the Saint made his friends promise with an oath that no
punishment would be inflicted upon his murderer.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 23
Memory of the holy Martyr Agrippina
(+under Valerian, 253-260)
It is believed that Saint Agrippina suffered martyrdom in
Rome under Emperor Valerian (253-260). A native of
Rome itself, she was converted to Christ in her tender
childhood, perfuming the spirit of the faithful as a garden
or a rose with sweet odors. Adorned in her innocence and
virginity, betrothed forever to Christ, she courageously
proceeded to martyrdom, and for the love of her Christ
suffered many cruel tortures..., among which she
consumated her martyrdom.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 24
The Nativity of the Honored and Glorious Prophet,
Precursor and Baptist John

The feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist with that
of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29), is the first
feast of a New Testament personage which is not attendant
upon a great feast of the Lord. Furthermore it must be
remarked that it is directly in keeping with the feast of the
Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and
Savior Jesus Christ, which separates it by six months, day
for day, according to the Roman calendar: eight days from
the calends of July (June 24). In the East this feast was
originally fixed on June 25, as evidenced by the calendar of
the Melkites of Chouarizm, reported by the historian AlBiruni.
Like the winter solstice, that of the summer was an
occasion of great rejoicing among the pagans. Just as the
feast of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord,
God, and Savior Jesus Christ in the Christian calendar
became the feast of the rising Sun, the Lord Jesus who is
the Light of the world, thus it is admitted that the feast of
John the Baptist was placed at the summer solstice since he
himself said of the Lord: "He must increase, but I must
decrease" (John 3:30).
It is Saint Luke (Luke 1:1-80) who relates the Precursor's
birth to us (today's Gospel at the Divine Liturgy). The son
of Zachary the priest and Elizabeth the barren, the fruit of
the promise by his birth untied his father's mute tongue and
"filled the whole world with joy." It is at this time that his
father pronounced the immortal canticle in which he sings
of the realization of the promise made to Abraham, the
deliverance of his people with mercy. It is there that he
prophesied to his small son the grandiose role of Precursor
for which God destined him, to prepare the way on earth
for the Star who comes from above "to put our feet in the
good way, in the way of peace."
When very young, John the Baptist went to the desert,
perhaps to one of the ascetic communities of the Essenes
who lived in the plain of Jordan. It is there that he began to
baptize, that is to give the purification ritual to those who
repented of their sins upon hearing his fiery word. It is
there that he designated to his disciples the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world. It was before John
that Jesus received the first official witness from the Father
and the Holy Spirit: "This is my beloved Son." It was also
for his courage to enforce the laws of marriage that he was

thrown into prison and beheaded. To "the spouse's friend,

who feels the greatest joy at the spouse's voice," and who
wished to disappear before him, to this second Isaia, Jesus
addresses this eulogy: "What did you go out to the desert to
see?...a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet...I
say to you, among those born of women, there is not a
greater prophet than John" (Luke 7:25-28).
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the
Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Precursor, and of the
Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Sunday, Gospel of
the Precursor. Kinonikon of the Precursor.

June 25
Post-festive Day of the Nativity of the Honored and
Glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John
Memory of the holy Martyr Febronia
(beginning of the Fourth century)
It is believed that Saint Febronia suffered martyrdom in
Sibapolis (Nisibis), in Mesopotamia under Emperor
Diocletian around the beginning of the Fourth century.
Fifth Class Feast.
Troparia: of the Precursor, of Saint Febronia, and of the Church
Patron.
In occurrence with a Sunday: as the Closing Day of the Nativity of the
Honored and Glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John takes
place at Vespers on the following day, at the Liturgy only the Office of
Sunday and of Saint Febronia is taken.

June 26
Memory of our venerable Father David of Thessalonica
(+530)
A native of Mesopotamia, this blessed man shone amidst
the world's darkness as a resplendant star. He established
his dwelling among the branches of an almond tree from
where, like the enchanter of a twittering bird, he pleased all
those who associated with him by his discourses, always
elevating his spirit toward celestial heights. He died around
530.

Fifth Class Feast.

June 27
Memory of our venerable Father Samson the
Hospitable (Sixth century)
Saint Samson lived in the times of Emperors Justin and
Justinian (527-565). After having satisfied his pious desired
by visiting some churches and monasteries, he gave himself
to contemplation, taking his delight in reading the Holy
Scriptures and conversing alone with God. His reputation
reached Patriarch Menas (536-552), who ordained him a
priest of his clergy. He became the salutary refuge of the
afflicted, of the sick, and of all those who needed help.
Expert in medical knowledge, he cured Emperor Justinian
from an incurable sickness. Full of admiration and
veneration for his virtue, after the troubles of 532 the
Emperor built the great and celebrated Refuge. He arranged
for Saint Samson to serve as inn-keeper and named him
Skevophylax of the Great Church. Situated between the
churches of the Holy Wisdom and Saint Irene, Saint
Samson's infirmary was burned down for the second time
in 563, but was rebuilt. The Saint died there after a holy
and good life.
Fifth Class Feast.

June 28
Translation of the relics of the holy Wonderworkers and
Unmercenaries Cyrus and John (between 385 and 412)
The relics of the holy martyrs Cyrus and John were found
in Canopus, Egypt, under Theophilos, the Archbishop of
Alexandria (385-412). Their relics were placed in the
Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark. Under
Patriarch Saint Cyril, his successor, the martyrs' relics were
transferred to Manoutha, near Canopus, where there was
still a temple of the goddess Isis. At the relics' approach the
temple collapsed by itself. Manoutha was called "AbouKir" by the Arabs, a corruption of "Abba-Kyr." After the
ruin of the martyrium, the Saints' relics were carried to
Rome and placed near Saint Paul's basilica in an oratory

actually called by the people "Oratory of Saint Passera," an

astonishing corruption of the word "Abba-Kyr"
Fifth Class Feast.

June 29
Memory of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned
Apostles
and Primates Peter and Paul (+67?)
What more beautiful eulogy could be conferred upon these
primates of the Apostles than the testimony that the Lord
Himself gave them? Jesus said to Peter: "Blessed are you,"
and "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
Church," and He called Paul: "A chosen vessel, destined to
carry My name before princes and kings." Saint Peter died
crucified head downward under Nero in 67. If the tradition
is to be believed, Saint Paul also died a martyr, beheaded in
Rome under Nero at the same time that Saint Peter was
crucified.
Third Class Feast. Typika and Beatitudes. Ordinary Isodikon.
Troparia: of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Church
Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle and Gospel of the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul.
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia: of the
Resurrection, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Church
Patron. Common Kondakion. Epistle and Gospel of the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul (those of the Sunday being postponed until July 1).
Kinonikon of the Sunday and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

June 30
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and
Most Renowned Twelve Apostles
Today the Church celebrates a general feast in honor of the
Twelve Apostles and of all those who, in liturgical
language, bear the title of Apostles. Here are the names of
the Twelve Apostles: Simon Peter and Andrew his brother,
called the First-called: James the son of Zebedee and John
the Evangelist his brother, also called the Theologian;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the
publican and Evangelist, also called Levi; James the son of
Alphous and Jude, also called Lebbaios and Thaddous;

Simon the Cananean or the Zealot, and Matthias who was

elected successor to the traitor Judas.
Fourth Class Feast. Nevertheless, Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia: of
the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve
Apostles; and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle and
Gospel of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned
Twelve Apostles. Kinonikon of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and
Most Renowned Twelve Apostles.
In occurrence with a Sunday: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the
Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection; of the Synaxis of the Holy,
Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; and of the Church
Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Synaxis of the Holy,
Glorious, and Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; Gospel of the Sunday.
Kinonikon of the Sunday and of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and
Most Renowned Twelve Apostles; and of the Church Patron. Ordinary
Kondakion. Epistle of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most
Renowned Twelve Apostles; Gospel of the Sunday. Kinonikon of the
Sunday and of the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and Most Renowned
Twelve Apostles.