Martyr Acindynus of Persia and Others

Saints commemorated

Saint of the day

Martyr Acindynus of Persia and Others

Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus and Anempodistus were five martyrs of fourth-century Persia — courtiers and secret Christians at the court of King Shapur II — who confessed Christ before the king during his long persecution and were put to death around 341–345, together with a great multitude, reckoned by the tradition at seven thousand, who suffered with them. Their memory is kept together on November 2 with proper hymns that play on the meanings of their Greek names — "without danger," "flowing," "abundant," "hope-bearing," "unhindered" — turning the five into a single image of the grace that martyrdom pours out on the Church.
Marcian of Cyrrhus

Marcian of Cyrrhus (c. 320–388) was one of the foremost hermits of the Syrian desert in the fourth century, and among the ascetics whom Theodoret of Cyrrhus knew by report and described in his History of the Monks of Syria. Well-born and once a courtier, he withdrew to the wilderness of Chalcis, south-east of Cyrrhus, where he shut himself in a cell so small he could neither stand nor lie at full length, ate once a day, and prayed by a divine light that filled the enclosure at night. Sought out by bishops and pilgrims, he confuted heresy without leaving his cell, and on his deathbed had himself buried in secret to escape the strife already brewing over his relics. He is commemorated on November 2.

British Isles and Ireland

SS. Baya and Maura, anchoresses, of Scotland (10th C)
St. Erc of Slane (512)

Troparia & kontakia

Kontakion — Tone 4

Made resplendent by the beauty of the Trinity, the five-rayed divine phalanx of the champions blunted the fierce assaults of the tyrants, pouring out upon all who with hope and longing draw near through them — abundant grace, unhindered and free of danger — to the Maker of all.

Sticheron

The five-shining lamp of the champions, like an axe among the trees of a thicket, after the manner of David hewed down the error of the enemy; and having confessed Christ before kings, they intercede unceasingly for our souls.

Troparion — Tone 2 (from the common of martyrs)

O victorious martyrs of the Lord, blessed is the earth that was enriched by your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits; for in the arena you triumphed over the enemy and proclaimed Christ with boldness. Entreat Him, since He is good, we pray, that He save our souls.

Troparion — Tone 8 (from the common of a venerable)

In thee, O Father, that which is according to the image was preserved unfailing; for taking up the Cross thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to despise the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul, a thing immortal. Therefore, O venerable Marcian, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Readings

Epistle

Philippians 2.16-23

¹⁶Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. ¹⁷Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. ¹⁹But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ²⁰For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. ²¹For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. ²²But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. ²³Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Gospel

Luke 11.34-41

³⁴The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. ³⁵Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. ³⁶If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. ³⁷And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. ³⁸And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. ³⁹And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. ⁴⁰Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? ⁴¹But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

Saints commemorated