Monday October 14/27 ns 2025 • Holy Martyrs Nazários, Gervásios, Protásios, & Célsios; St. Cosmás the Hymnographer, Bishop of Maïouma; St. Paraskevé the New of Epivat ~ Phil. 4:10-23; St. Luke 9:18-22

Monday

October 14/27 ns

2025

The Holy Martyrs Nazários, Gervásios, Protásios, & Célsios;
St. Cosmás the hymnographer, Bishop of Maïouma;
St. Pachómios of Chíos;
St. Paraskevé the New of Epivat

Nazários was born in Rome of a Jewish father and a Christian mother. His mother, Perpetua, was baptized by the Apostle Peter himself.  Confessing his mother's Faith, Nazários sincerely fulfilled all the precepts of the Church. Fearlessly preaching the Gospel, Nazários went to Milan. There, he found the Christians Gervásios and Protásios in prison, and ministered to them with great love. Learning of this, the local eparch ordered Nazários to be beaten and driven from the city. His mother came to him in a vision and told him to go to Gaul, and to preach the Gospel there; and this is what Nazários did.

After several years, Nazários returned to Milan-this time with a disciple, the young man Celsus, whom he had baptized in Gaul. There he found the brothers Gervásios and Protásios still in prison, and he was soon thrown in with them by the governor Anulinus. Christ's martyrs rejoiced because of this reunion brought about by God's providence. Emperor Nero ordered Nazários slain, and the governor brought Nazários and Celsus out of prison and beheaded them. Soon after that, General Astazius, passing through Milan enroute to battle against the Moravians, beheaded St. Gervásios along with St. Protásios. He had heard that these two brothers would not sacrifice to idols, and fearing that he might lose the battle by losing favor with his false gods, he commanded that they be executed immediately. Gervásios and Protásios were twins, born of the blessed parents Vitalius and Valeria, who were also martyred for the Faith.

The relics of St. Nazários were translated by St. Ambrose from a garden outside the city to the Church of the Holy Apostles. The relics of St. Gervásios and St. Protásios were revealed to him in a miraculous vision.

Philippians 4:10-23

King James Version

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Saint Luke 9:18-22

King James Version

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21 And he straightly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

The Holy Mountain Athos (mountain background) is dedicated and referred to by the monks as the PANAGIA (All Holy) Theotokos.

In its inception, the Paragon was silently dedicated to the Virgin, asking the blessing of the Kursk Root Icon of the Theotokos since the icon had been brought here during construction.

The Kursk Root Icon

 

As the foundation for St. John the Baptist Church was being dug, by the grace of God, the grace of the Holy Virgin and the charity of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the efforts of Fr. Vladimir Boikov (pictured and who personally drove the Kursk Root Icon from the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Ill.), the Kursk icon was carried in procession with chanting throughout the property.

    The Blessed Virgin gave her blessing to the hearts, the ground, the air and the spirit that founded the Church of the Venerable Baptist - a blessing that extends beyond time.

Procession with the Kursk Root Icon