Friday December 13/26 ns 2025 • Holy Martyrs Evstrátios, Auxéntios, Eugene, Mardários, and Oréstes; Holy Martyr Lucy ~ Fast day ~ Heb. 7:18-25; St. Mark 9:33-41

Friday

December 13

December 26 new style

2025

 

Nativity Fast: Fast Day

These five courageous men shone like five shining stars in the dark days of the Christ-persecuting Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. St. Evstrátios was a Roman commander in the city of Satalionus; Eugene was his companion in the army; Orestes was likewise a distinguished soldier; Auxentios was a priest; and Mardarios was an ordinary citizen who came, like Evstrátios, from the town of Arabrak. The imperial deputies Lysias and Agricolus tortured Auxéntios first since he was a priest. Seeing the innocent suffering of Christians, Evstrátios appeared in front of Lysias and declared that he was also a Christian. While Evstrátios was being tortured, Eugene appeared before the judge and cried out: "Lysias, I too am a Christian.'' When Evstrátios was led through the town of Arabrak with the other martyrs, Mardarios saw them from the roof of his house. He took leave of his wife and two young children and rushed after the martyrs, shouting into the faces of the tormentors: "I too am a Christian, like my lord Evstrátios.'' When St. Orestes was target-practicing in the presence of Lysias, the cross he was wearing fell from his chest and Lysias realized that he was a Christian, after which Orestes openly confessed his faith. Orestes was a young and handsome soldier and towered above all the other soldiers in stature. Auxentios was beheaded, Eugene and Mardarios died while being tortured, Orestes expired on a red-hot iron grid, and Evstrátios died in a fiery furnace. St. Blaise (February 11) administered Holy Communion to St. Evstrátios in prison before his death. Their relics were later taken to Constantinople and buried in the church dedicated to them: The Holy Five Companions. They were seen alive in that church, and St. Orestes appeared to St. Dimitri of Rostov (October 28). A beautiful prayer by St. Evstrátios is extant, which is read at the Midnight Service on Saturday: "Most highly do I magnify Thee, O Lord.''

Holy Martyr Lucy

Hebrews 7:18-25 KJV

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And 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:)

22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore 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.

Saint Mark 9:33-41 KJV

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And 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.

36 And 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,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 And 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.

39 But 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.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For 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.

WEEP AND REPENT

Saint Kosmas Aitolos

Apostle to the Poor

LET US SAY something about the thorns. Blessed Mary of Egypt was twelve years old when she fell into the hands of the devil. She lived in sin day and night. But the merciful God enlightened her and she abandoned the world and went into the desert. There she led a hermit’s life for forty years. She was cleansed and became like an angel. God wished to give her rest, so He sent the holy ascetic Zosimas to hear her confession and to give her the Precious and Life-Giving Body and Blood. Then He received her holy soul into Paradise, where she rejoices with the angels.

If there is anyone here like Blessed Mary, let him or her immediately weep and repent, now that there is time, and be assured that salvation will come as it did for Blessed Mary.

REFLECT

If you love our God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and your neighbor as thyself, then you will experience that love in all things because He is in all things.  Read once again, St. Basil's quote above. 
As St. Porphyrios of the Holy Mountain tells us;  If we do this then prayer will say itself.  And is this not the "Ceaseless Prayer" that all the saints speak about.

Words cannot suffice to sing the praises of Thy wonders, O Lord.

Suffer the children to come unto Me