THE PARAGON Friday January 13/26 ns 2024 • Holy Martyrs Hérmylos and Stratónicos; St. Máximos of Kavsokalyvia; St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers ~ Fast day ~ Afterfeast: Eph. 4:1-7; St. Luke 20:1-8 - FEATURED READ: Walking by a Hospital from Saint Paisios of the Holy Mountain

The Holy Martyrs Hérmylos and Stratónicos; 

St. Máximos of Kavsokalývia; 

St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers

Fast Day

The Emperor Licinius raised up a persecution against Christians. St. Hérmylos, a Christian and a deacon in the Church, was captured and led to court. When Hérmylos was informed that he was being led away to be tortured, he greatly rejoiced. In vain did the emperor threaten him. Hermylos openly confessed his faith in Christ and responded to all the threats of the emperor saying, "The Lord is with me; I fear not; What can man do against me?" (Psalm 118:6). Following excruciating tortures, Hérmylos was thrown into the dungeon. The guard was Stratónicos, secretly a Christian, who sympathized with the suffering of Hermylos with all his heart. When it was reported to the emperor that Stratónicos was also a Christian, the emperor ordered that both of them be drowned in the Danube river. After that, the executioners tied Hérmylos and Stratónicos in a net and both were drowned in the Danube. Three days later, their bodies were washed ashore. Christians discovered their bodies and buried them about eighteen miles from Belgrade. These glorious martyrs suffered for Christ and were glorified in the year 315 A.D.

Ephesians 4:1-7 KJV

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Saint Luke 20:1-8 KJV

20 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Passing by a Hospital

Saint Paisios of the Holy Mountain Athos

When you pass by a hospital you should Cross yourself three times; one for the sick, one for their families and those who take care of them, and one for you that you are not in there and have your health!

Christ doesn’t have the need of your prayer, but you have the need of His help.