THE PARAGON Monday Jan 13/26 ns 2026 • Holy Martyrs Hérmylos and Stratónicos; St. Máximos of Kavsokalývia; St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers ~ Afterfeast: Eph. 6:10-17; St. Luke 20:1-8

Afterfeast of Holy Theophany

January 13

New Style January 26 2026

THE HOLY MARTYRS HÉRMYLOS AND STRATÓNICOS SAINT MÁXIMOS OF KAVSOKALÝVIA SAINT HILARY BISHOP OF POITIERS

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 6:10-17 KJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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.

FROM

+SAINT HERMAN

OF ALASKA

“A terrible accident has a power to awaken us to the realization of the existence of various calamities and dangers surrounding us, from which the Providence of God preserves us. At the same time it convincingly persuades us to acknowledge our own infirmity and weakness and to seek the Father’s protection and His most powerful defense, which affirms us in the Wisdom and the Word of God, which came down from above by the will of the Heavenly Father under a curtain of flesh like ours, woven by the Divine Might from the Immaculate Virgin, for our salvation. He became man and taught us to pray that we be not led into temptation. This reminds us from what Father we have our existence, and this in turn should make us seek our heavenly Fatherland and our eternal inheritance.”

Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church