Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucis, Callinicus

Saints commemorated

Saint of the day

Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucis, Callinicus

Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus were martyrs of the persecution under the emperor Decius (249–251), suffering about the year 250 in Bithynia. Leucius, a Christian of standing, openly rebuked the governor for his cruelty toward the faithful and was tortured and beheaded. Thyrsus, still only a catechumen, gave himself up for Christ, endured savage tortures unharmed, and by his prayer toppled an idol of Apollo before reposing under sentence of death. Callinicus, a pagan priest who watched Thyrsus's courage and his miracle, was converted on the spot, confessed Christ aloud, and was put to the sword. The three are commemorated together on December 14.
Holy Martyrs Philemon, Apollonius, Arian and those with them (3rd c.)

Philemon and Apollonius were martyrs of Antinoöpolis (Antinoe) in the Egyptian Thebaid during the persecution of Diocletian, suffering about the year 305. Apollonius, a reader of the Church, was afraid of torture and paid a pagan flute-player named Philemon to sacrifice to the idols in his place; but when Philemon put on the reader's clothes and came to the altar, grace touched his heart, he confessed Christ, and — praying for baptism, he received a sudden shower of rain as his baptism. Both were beheaded, and their example converted their judge, the governor Arrian, who with four of his bodyguards was in turn martyred by drowning. Their brother Theonas and the wider company of the Thebaid martyrs are remembered with them on December 14.

British Isles and Ireland

St. Hygbald, abbot of Hibaldstow (7th C)
SS. Fingar and Phiala, and 770 other martyr companions (5th C)

Troparia & kontakia

Kontakion — Tone 4

Come, let us all assemble today and, with sacred songs of praise, extol the luminaries of the Church, hymning them as the prize-winning athletes of Christ our God.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Champions of the true faith, you spat upon the impious tyrant and laid bare his beast-like thirst for blood; strengthened by the help of Christ, you overcame his raging violence, O Thyrsus and Leucius. Together with those who suffered at your side, intercede for us.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they cast down the tyrants and broke the feeble insolence of the demons. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Readings

Epistle

Hebrews 7.18-25

¹⁸For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. ¹⁹For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. ²⁰And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: ²¹(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) ²²By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ²³And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: ²⁴But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Gospel

Mark 9.33-41

³³And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? ³⁴But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. ³⁵And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. ³⁶And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, ³⁷Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. ³⁸And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. ³⁹But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. ⁴⁰For he that is not against us is on our part. ⁴¹For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Saints commemorated