The Second Day

Of the Month of January

The Life of Our Father Among the Saints

Sylvester, Pope of Rome

Saint Sylvester was born in old Rome and instructed in the holy faith by the presbyter Quirinus, who acquainted him both with secular learning and the rules of good conduct. As he matured, Sylvester devoted himself to providing hospitality to strangers. Out of love for God and his neighbor, he welcomed travelers into his house, washed their feet, fed them, and offered them every courtesy.

In those days Bishop Timothy, Christ’s blessed confessor, came to Rome from Antioch to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Sylvester received him into his home and profited by his teaching and the example of his holy life, for he was a man perfect in faith and the virtues. Timothy lived with Sylvester for over a year, during which time he converted many Romans from idolatry to God. For this he was imprisoned by the Prefect Tarquinius. He was placed in bonds and was flogged thrice, and when he still refused to sacrifice to idols, he was beheaded. The blessed Sylvester removed his holy remains by night, burying them with fitting hymns beneath his house. Later, a pious woman named Theonisia built a church in honor of Saint Timothy, with the approval of Melchiades, Bishop of Rome, who translated the martyr’s relics to the temple.

Not long after Timothy’s death, Tarquinius summoned Sylvester and demanded that he hand over everything belonging to the martyr and offer oblations to the gods, threatening him with torments if he refused. Sylvester, however, foresaw that the Prefect’s end was at hand and responded with this prophecy, citing the Gospel: “This night thy soul shall be required of thee, and your threats will come to nothing.” The Prefect flew into a rage and ordered Sylvester imprisoned, then sat down to eat. A fishbone caught in his throat which could not be dislodged, even by physicians. Tarquinius was in agony till midnight, when he expired, as the saint had predicted. In the morning the Eparch’s grieving relatives carried his body to the grave, while the jubilant faithful retrieved Sylvester from prison. From that time on believers and unbelievers alike revered the man of God. Many of the servants in Tarquinius’ palace, seeing how Sylvester’s prophecy was fulfilled, became frightened and threw themselves at his feet, terrified that misfortune would befall them as well. Others were straightway converted to Christ by the miracle.

When the saint reached the age of thirty, he was made a deacon by Pope Melchiades. After Melchiades’ death, he was unanimously elected Bishop of Rome. Like a brightly burning candle set in a candlestick, Sylvester shed light on all. By his teaching and example the new apostle led the flock of Christ to the pastures of salvation.

Noticing that several members of the clergy had abandoned their duties and given themselves over to secular businesses, Sylvester ordered them to return to the service of the Church. He made a rule forbidding anyone in holy orders to involve himself with trade.

At that time the Romans referred to the first day of the week, on which Christ rose from the dead, as the Day of the Sun. The other days were also called by the names of false divinities and were entitled “Day of the Moon”, “of Mars”, “of Mercury”, “of Jupiter”, “of  Venus”, and “of Saturn.” The saint, who hated the heathen deities, gave the day of the Saviour’s glorious Resurrection the name “the Lord’s Day.” He also assigned to the other days the names presently used by the Romans. Furthermore, he forbade Christians to fast on Saturdays, except the one on which Christ descended into the nethermost regions following Hs death, destroying the power of Hades and delivering Adam and the other forefathers.

At that time, beneath the Tarpeian Rock in Rome, there lived an enormous serpent. It had its lair in a cave, and every month the heathen brought it sacrifice, as to a god. Whenever the snake slithered out, it poisoned the air with its breath, killing many who lived nearby, especially children. Wishing to deliver the people from this dangerous creature and convert them from atheism to the true God, Saint Sylvester assembled the Christians and ordered them to fast and pray for three days. He himself kept a stricter fast and exercised himself more earnestly in prayer than any of the others, until one night Saint Peter appeared to him. The Apostle ordered Sylvester to take several priests and deacons, and to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the mouth of the cave, then to enter it while calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and forbidding the serpent ever again to leave its den. Obedient to the Apostle’s command, God’s favorite went to the cave, and after performing the divine service, entered. Inside, he found doors, which he shut by his word, crying, “Remain closed until the Second Coming of Christ!” Thus he trapped the snake in the earth. The pagans expected that Sylvester and his clergymen would become food for the serpent and were amazed to see him emerge unharmed. Since the reptile never again appeared, many acknowledged the power of the true God and joined themselves to the faithful.

Sitting upon the imperial throne at that time was the great Constantine, who had not yet been illumined in Holy Baptism, but already believed in Christ with his whole heart. He issued a decree closing pagan temples, prohibiting sacrifice to idols, and forbidding anyone to blaspheme Christ or harm the faithful. Exiled and imprisoned Christians were released. The Emperor showed kindness to petitioners, fulfilled all reasonable requests, and gave abundant alms to the poor. In the capital and throughout the realm he built magnificent churches. Day by day the Church of Christ grew stronger and idolatry lost ground. Great was the jubilation of the faithful, who quickly became so numerous in Rome that they wanted to expel from the city everyone who refused to become a Christian. However, the Emperor would not permit this, saying “Our God is pleased when men turn to Him willingly, because they are convinced of the truth, and not because they have been forced to convert. Let whoever wishes be4lieve, and may persecution come to an end.” Constantine’s decision was greeted with general approbation, and the oeple chose whatever faith they preferred.

Not only in Rome but throughout the Empire, believers rejoiced. Everywhere the faithful imprisoned for Christ were released, and the Lord’s confessors returned from banishment. Those hiding in the mountains and deserts because of the threat of torture emerged and cheerfully made their way home. Persecution became a thing of the past; Christians no longer lived in fear of torments. Unable to endure seeing the Church enjoying peace and the light of piety shining to the ends of the earth, the adversary turned for assistance to his confederates, the Jews, who presented themselves to Helen, the praiseworthy mother of the Emperor. At that time she was in Bithynia, her homeland. They told her, “Your son has done well to destroy pagan temples, but it is not good that he believes in Jesus, honoring Him as the Son of God and the true God. Jesus was a Jew who deluded the people by means of the black art. Consequently, Pilate had Him scourged and hung on a tree as a criminal. It was not Jesus, but the grace of God, Maker of heaven and earth, that healed the Emperor. You, O Empress, should recue your son from delusion, lest he anger the Most High and misfortune befall him.”

Helen informed Constantine about this, and the Emperor wrote back saying that the Jews should come with her to Rome and debate the Christian bishops publicly, thereby dispelling all doubt as to which faith is true. The blessed Empress made known the ruler’s decision to the Jews; whereupon numerous learned teachers of the Law, familiar both with the prophets and Greek philosophy, prepared to argue their case.

Among the rabbis who departed for Rome with the Empress, was one more erudite than the rest, named Zambres. He possessed perfect knowledge of Hellenic philosophy and the Hebrew Scriptures. He was also a mighty sorcerer. The Jews placed all their hope in him, thinking that if they did not prevail over the Christians in the contest of words, Zambres would conquer them by magic.

The day of confrontation dawned; the Emperor sat upon his throne, surrounded by senators; and Saint Sylvester appeared with a small group of followers, including several bishops just arrived in Rome. Then the Jews, 120 in all, entered, and the exchange commenced. The Empress Helen, wishing to hear, took her seat behind a curtain. The Emperor and his advisors assessed everything said.

The Jews began by inviting the Christians to appoint twelve of their wisest men to contend with them, but Saint Sylvester assured them this would not be necessary. “We put our trust not in numbers, but in God, Who strengthens us,” said he. “Begging His help, we cry, ‘Arise O Lord, judge Thy cause.’”

“You quote our Scriptures, knowing that it was our prophet who wrote those words,” objected the Jews. “Cite your own sacred writings, not ours.”

Sylvester responded, “Truly, the Old Testament and the words of the prophets were first addressed to you, but now they are ours, since they have much to say about the Lord Christ. They must serve as the common ground for our debate, because your books have become ours, while ours are foreign to you. Surely you will believe your Scriptures before you will agree with ours; therefore, we will demonstrate the truth which you reject, using tests which you accept. We intend to enjoy a triumph wondrous and indisputable, snatching the weapons of victory directly from the hands of our foes.”

“The Bishop’s words are just,” commented the Emperor. “Who will gainsay them? O Jews, if the Christians demonstrate from your books that Christ is God, it will be evident that they are correct.” The entire Senate gave its approval to Constantine’s words.

Then the Jews said to the Christians, “Our almighty God states in the book of Deuteronomy: Behold, behold that I am He, and there is no God besides Me. How is it that you call Jesus God? He was a simple man, crucified by our fathers. You have three gods: the Father, in Whom we also believe; Jesus, Whom you call the Son of God; and the third God named the Holy Spirit. Believing thus, you oppose the God Who created all things and taught that there are no gods besides Him.”

To this the divinely inspired Sylvester replied, “Delve into the Scriptures calmly and without prejudice, and you will understand that we introduce nothing new by confessing the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s prophets testify to both. The prophet and king David, foreseeing the rebellion of your fathers against the Saviour, wrote, Why have the heathen raged, and the peoples meditated empty things, against the Lord, and against His Christ? David refers not to one person, but to two, the Lord and His Christ. The same prophet proclaims that Christ is note other than the Son of God, and writes, The Lord said unto Me: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee. It is one Who begets, another Who is begotten.”

The Jews retorted, “Alleging that God begets, you attribute passion to the passionless. How can the Son, having His beginning and existence in time, be God? The words this day denote a certain time; therefore, the Son cannot be the eternal God.”

“O Jews,” exclaimed Sylvester, “we do not say that God has His origin in passion! Rather, we confess that the Divinity is dispassionate and that the Son was begotten in a manner similar to the birth of word from thought. We profess the Son’s eternal generation and deny that He was begotten of the Father in time. Being, with the Father and the Spirit, the Creator of time, He cannot be subject to it. The expression this day have I begotten Thee refers not to the pre-eternal, divine generation on high, but to the one which took place in time, when the Lord assumed flesh for our salvation. Knowing Christ to pre-eternal, the prophet declared elsewhere, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, foretelling the Incarnation which would take place in the last days, he testified on behalf of God the Father, Thu art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. More precisely, the first half of the verse, Thou art My Son, refers to the birth before time; the second, this day have I begotten Thee, to the birth in time. By saying, “I have begotten Thee,” the prophet indicates that the Father consented to the Son’s Nativity in the flesh. Nevertheless, the words this day have I begotten Thee are also applicable to the eternity of the divine generation, in which there is no past or future action, but always the present only.

“Regarding the Holy Spirit, David states, By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established, and all the might of them by the Spirit of His mouth. In this passage he mentions three persons: the Father, Whom he calls Lord; the Son, entitled the Word because He was begotten in a superior and dispassionate manner, like a word from thought; and the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere he says, Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, and Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? The prophet clearly attests to the Holy Spirit’s existence and affirms that He fills all things. And in another place he says, Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. Tell me, O Jews, was it not David who wrote these verses? And how will you answer Moses, who, in the book of Genesis, relates God’s words: Let Us make man according to Our image and likeness? With whom was God conversing, if the Divinity consists of but one person? Let no one suggest that it was with the powers of heaven, for the phrase according to Our image and likeness precludes this. The angels were not made in God’s image and likeness, nor do they possess a divine nature or the power characteristic of God. Consequently, it was with someone else that God spoke, someone equal to the Supreme Being, sharing His nature, image and likeness. He spoke with the consubstantial Son, His immutable image and peer in glory and might. What novelty, I ask, do we introduce when we confess Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? It is no wonder that the pagans regard our belief in the Trinity as groundless and improbable, for they are ignorant of the Holy Scriptures. But what excuse do you have for your unbelief? You have studied the prophets, not one of whom failed to proclaim the Saviour.”

Our divine father wanted to continue his discourse on the Most Holy Trinity, but the Emperor interrupted him, asking the Jews, “Do the passages quoted by the Bishop read the same in your version of the Scripture?”

“They do,” answered the Jews.

“Then it seems to me that you have been vanquished in this exchange over the Most Holy Trinity,” said Constantine.

“Not so, good Caesar,” protested the Jews “We could easily silence Sylvester, but have no desire to continue wasting words over the unprofitable subject of the Trinity. We did not come here to discuss whether there is one God or three, but to disprove that the Nazarene is God. For even if we concede that there are three Gods, it does not necessarily follow that Jesus is divine. He was not God, but a man born to human parents. He lived among sinners, eating and drinking with publicans. The Gospels themselves admit that He was temped by the devil, betrayed by His own disciple, arrested, jeered, beaten, given gall and vinegar to drink, stripped of His garments (for which soldiers cast lots), nailed to a Cross, died, and was buried. How can He be called God? This is the charge we lay against the Christians, O Emperor: that they have invented a new God! If they have anything to say in His defense, let them speak; if they can produce any argument on His behalf, let them do so.”

Saint Sylvester countered, “It may seem to you, O Jews, that we acknowledge three Gods, but the truth, we worship one, in three persons or hypostases. You would have done well to consider the passages from your own books which I cited in answer to your original claim, but since you refuse to continue our discussion on the Trinity, we will speak about our Lord Jesus Christ, as you wish. God, Who brings all things into being, made man and saw that he was inclined toward every evil. Nevertheless, He did not allow the works of His hands to perish utterly, but deigned to send us His Son, clad in flesh. Descending to the earth, our Lord remained with the Father on high, for the Divinity is present everywhere. Christ was born of a virgin and submitted to the Law to redeem them that were under the Law. Isaiah foretold His Incarnation, saying, Behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His mane Emmanuel. This name, as you know, points to God’s coming to dwell with men. Translated, it means God is with us. Therefore, it is evident that the prophet knew long beforehand that God would be born of a virgin.”

The Jews said, “In the Hebrew text of the book of Isaiah, there is no mention of a virgin, but of a maiden. You have corrupted the Scriptures by substituting ‘virgin’ for maiden.”

“Your books may say ‘maiden’ rather than ‘virgin,’ but what difference is there?” Sylvester objected. “When Isaiah spoke the words of God to Ahaz, Ask for thyself a sign of the Lord thy God, in the depths or in the heights, Ahaz answered, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. Then the prophet said, Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. What sign was this. Behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb. If , as you imply, the prophet meant a young woman who was no longer a virgin, then I ask: what sort of a sign is he promising? If a maiden marries and gives birth, there is no sign, for this is a common occurrence. However, if a maiden bears a son without knowing a man, this is truly a  miracle. The maiden mentioned in the text was clearly a virgin who would give birth to a son in a manner surpassing nature. Our version of the Scriptures does not corrupt the text by employing the term ‘virgin’ rather than ‘maiden,’ but amplifies it, making clearer the true meaning of the amazing and supernatural marvel accomplished in the Virgin. Before Christ’s Nativity, who ever came into existence, except from the seed of a man? Only Adam, formed of earth, and Eve, fashioned from Adam’s rib. What woman ever conceived without coupling? I repeat: it would not have been a sign, as promised by God, if the maiden had conceived in the ordinary fashion, through a carnal conjunction. But since the pure Virgin was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, not having known a man, we acknowledge the birth to be a new, divine, and most glorious sign. God is with us, as He promised, taking flesh supernaturally from the pure Virgin.”

“He Whom Mary bore was called Jesus, not Emmanuel,” said the Jews. “This means that it was not He Whom God promised through the prophet, but another.”

Saint Sylvester explained, “In Holy Scripture, it is not unusual for someone to be referred to by an alternate name expressing his deeds or attributes. For example, it is said concerning Christ, Call His name, Spoil quickly, plunder speedily. No one has ever actually borne this designation as a name, but since Christ would defeat and spoil His foes, Isaiah gives Him a fitting appellation. In another place the same prophet says to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be called the city of righteousness. No one actually calls Jerusalem the city of righteousness, but since in those days Jerusalem would prove upright before God, It was spoken of in prophecy thus, and rightly, on account of the works to be accomplished in it. And elsewhere in Scripture you will find epithets based on various traits, events, or exploits.

“Regarding our God’s decent to dwell among men, hear what Baruch prophesied: This is our God, and there shall be none other accounted of in comparison with Him, He hath found out every way of cleverness, and hath given it unto Jacob His servant, and to Israel His beloved. Afterwards He did show Himself upon earth, and dwelt with men. As for the devil tempting Him, Zachariah said, The Lord showed me Jesus the High Priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and the devil stood at His right hand to resist Him. And Jesus said to the devil, The Lord rebuke thee, O devil. Concerning His arrest, it is written in one of the books of Solomon: The ungodly said, reasoning within themselves, Let us lie in wait for the Righteous, for He is of no use to us, and opposeth our doings. The psalmist predicted that Christ would be betrayed by a disciple, saying, Even the man who ate of My bread hath magnified the lifting of heels against Me. About the false witnesses he wrote, Unjust witnesses are risen up against Me, and about the Crucifixion: They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all my bones. He also foretold how Christ’s clothing would be divided: They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots; He would be given gall and vinegar: They gave Me gall for My food and for My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Moreover, he spoke of His burial, too: They laid Me in the lowest pit. Jacob, your ancestor, likewise foresaw His burial and said, Having couched, Thou liest as a lion, and as a whelp. Producing these and many other passages from the holy prophets about Christ the Lord, Saint Sylvester gained the upper hand against the Jews. Since the Holy Spirit spoke through his mouth, he was able to demonstrate clearly that Christ is the true God, born of the Virgin.

Then the Jews asked, “What need did God have to be born in human flesh? Could He not have saved man by some other means?”

“Nothing is impossible for God, but it was fitting that the devil be vanquished by that which he had himself defeated,” said the holy Bishop. “Satan conquered a man not born according to the usual law of nature (that is, of a carnal union), but made of pure and virgin earth, not yet cursed by God. Our progenitor’s flesh was fashioned from soil unpolluted by Abel’s murder and the slaughter of animals, uninfected by rotting bodies, and untainted by vile, unclean deeds. After his shaping Adam was given life by the breath of God. Such was the man overpowered by the devil; and similar was He Who overcome the devil, our Lord Jesus Christ, born not in the ordinary manner, but like Adam sprung from uncorrupted earth, the sacred and immaculate womb of the Virgin. Adam was quickened by the breath of God, and Christ became incarnate when the Holy Spirit descended on the Virgin. Perfect God, He became perfect man, like us in every respect, except that He is sinless. He possesses two natures, one divine, one human, in a single hypostasis; therefore, His human nature could suffer for us, while the divine suffered not at all.”

To clarify how Christ could undergo suffering in His human nature while His divine nature remained impassible, the saint provided this exmple: “A tree is illumined by the rays of the sun, and when it is felled, neither does the sun cease to shine on it, nor are the rays cut down.” Sylvester’s arguments were approved by the Emperor and his senators, who pronounced him victor.

The Jews could produce no further arguments in their defense, but were unwilling to acknowledge the truth. Their magician Zambres said to Constantine, “It is true that Sylvester, being a long-winded, glib fellow, has exhausted us; nonetheless, we will not abandon the Law of our fathers or follow a man whom our ancestors judged fit to be put to death. Sylvester seeks to prove his beliefs by debate; I am ready to prove by deeds that there is no God other than ours. Command that a large, ferocious bull be brought here, O Emperor, and presently you and the others will be convinced of the truth of our faith.”

One of the nobles said, “I have such a bull in my herd, not far outside the city wall. It is impossible to yoke him and dangerous even to touch him.”

The ruler ordered the beast brought without delay. Meanwhile, Sylvester asked Zambres, “Why do you need a bull? What do you intend to do with him?”

“I wish to demonstrate the power of our God,” replied Zambres. “I will whisper into the bull’s ear and he will die. No man or animal can hear the name of God and remain alive. In the days when bulls were brought to the Temple as oblations, our fathers spoke this name into their ears; whereupon, they bellowed loudly, died, and were sacrificed.”

“How did you learn this name, if it kills everyone who hears it?” inquired Sylvester.

“It is not for you to know; you are our enemy,” answered the sorcerer.

Then the Emperor said to Zambres, “If you will not disclose the mystery to the Bishop, reveal it to us. It is difficult to understand how you could have learned the name of your God, unless perhaps you read it somewhere.”

Zambres avowed, “This name must never be written on parchment, papyrus, wood, stone, or anything else. If it is, both what it is written on and the writer himself will be destroyed at once.”

“Explain how you learned it, if it may neither be uttered nor written.” Demanded Constantine. Zambres said “I fasted for seven days, Your Majesty, then poured pure spring water into a new silver basin and prayed. An invisible finger traced the name of God on the surface of the water.”

The wise Sylvester laughed, “Perhaps that was the way you learned the name, but when you whisper it, you must hear it. How is it that you are still alive?”

“As I said, you are our enemy and unworthy to know our secrets,” said the wizard. “Enough of your prattle. Let deeds prove whose faith is true. Demonstrate that the Nazarene is God by calling on His name and killing the bull; otherwise, I shall slay the beast by speaking into its ear, thereby convincing everyone to accept our God.”

The Christians began to waver and seemed ready to apostatize if Zambres could do as he boasted. The holy Bishop tried to reassure the faith, and Constantine told the Jew, “Since you brag that you can kill the bull by a word, we will begin by allowing you to prove your powers.”

“O Emperor, behold the power of my God!” declared the sorcerer. Although burly men, after fastening ropes to its horns, could scarcely control the beast, it remained completely calm as Zambres approached it. The wizard spoke in its earl then it bellowed, shook violently, and dropped dead.

Everyone was astonished, and the Jews clapped their hands and shouted jubilantly, “We have prevailed! We are victorious!” Then Sylvester requested the Emperor to command that there be silence. When the people were still, the Bishop asked the Jews, “In your books does not Almighty God say, I kill, and I will make to live: I will smite, and I will heal?

“He does,” they answered.

“If Zambres killed the bull by the name of God, let him return it to life,” proposed Sylvester. “God does good, not evil, for He is good. To do evil is contrary to His nature. His will is always good, so He ever wishes to do good. Sometimes He punishes, but only because our deeds compel Him to do so, for the benefit of others. If Zambres readily accomplished what is contrary to God’s nature, how much more easily should he be able to do what is consonant with it! Let him raise up the bull by the name that slew it, and I will convert to Judaism.”

“O Emperor.” Cried Zambres, “Sylvester again desires a contest of words! Of what use are words, in comparison with the deed I have worked?” Then turning to Sylvester, he issued this challenge: “If you have power of any kind, Bishop, work a miracle in the name of Jesus.”

“I will show you the power of Christ by restoring the bull’s life,” said the hierarch.

“You boast in vain, Sylvester,” laughed Zambres. “The bull is dead.”

The Emperor asked Zambres, “If the Bishop is successful, will you accept his God?”

“Your Majesty, if he raises the bull, I swear to adopt his faith and confess Christ as God,” the wizard replied.

The Bishop prostrated himself and prayed fervently to God, shedding tears, then rose, lifted his hands to heaven, and cried so that all could hear, “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, and God, Thou slayest and restorest to life, smitest and healest! Be pleased, by the invocation of Thy holy and life-giving name, to raise the bull which Zambres hath slain by invoking demons. Lo, the time hath come for Thee to reveal Thy wonders, that many may be saved. Hear me, Thy servant, in the present hour, and may Thy most holy name be glorified forever.” After completing the prayer, Sylvester approached the bull and shouted, “If He Whom I preach, Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, is the true God, then rise and henceforth be meek as a lamb!” The bull at once returned to life and rose to its feet. The saint ordered the rope slipped off its horns and told the beast, “our God Jesus Christ commands you to return home. Never harm anyone again, but obey your master.” With this the animal departed, as calm now as it had formerly been violent. Seeing the miracle, everyone shouted, “Great is the God preached by Sylvester!”

The Jews, with Zambres at their head, fell at the saint’s feet and embraced them. They implored Sylvester to pray for them to God and to make them Christians. At the same time the blessed Helen drew open the curtain behind which she had been listening. She also prostrated herself before Sylvester, confessed Christ to be the true God, and begged to receive the Mystery of holy illumination. The Jews, including Zambres, were baptized with Saint Helen. Thus many people were joined to God and to Christ’s Church.

After this triumph of the holy Christian faith, Saint Sylvester resumed his usual labors, directing Christ’s Church. Having tended well the rational flock and reached old age, he departed to the Lord. He was a bishop for twenty-one years and eleven months. Now he lives in the eternal Kingdom with the angels, ever glorifying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May we also adore the one God in Trinity unto the ages.

Amen.

On this same day we commemorate the holy martyr Theogenes, Bishop of Parion on the Hellespont. At the command of the Tribune Zalinkinthius, he was bound and thrown into the sea, in which he drowned.