Synaxarium
Daily Stories of the Saints
for the Blessed Month of Baramhat
The First Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Baramhat 1
Departure of St.Narcissus
On this day of the year,
222 A.D., departed the father St. Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem. This
father came to Jerusalem during the reign of Alexander Caesar, who loved
the Christians, in the year 190 A.D. This father was holy and unblemished
in all his conduct. He shepherded his people with the best of care. Later,
Alexander died and after him Maximianus Caesar reigned who incited persecution
against the Christians. He slew many of the bishops and the remaining fled
leaving their parishes. God granted this father the gift of performing
wonders. On the eve of the feast of Easter, the oil in the lamps ran out,
so he ordered the lamps to be filled with water and were lit. They all
illuminated that night also by the light of his teachings. The enemy of
the good did not stop but, moved some people against him. They accused
him of committing the sin of infidelity. God's punishment for those liars
was bitter. One of them burned to death, and the bowels of another poured
out and died, the body of the third wasted out from a long sickness, the
fourth was killed and the fifth repented with tears confessing his sins.
As for the saint, he went to the desert and disappeared there, lest his
stay be a stumble to others.
Since nothing was known
of St. Narcissus whereabouts, another man was chosen in his place whose
name was Dius. Dius remained for a short period of time; he then departed.
Upon Dius' departure they chose another called Ghordinus. When the time
of persecution was over, Abba Narcissus returned to Jerusalem where he
was greeted by his people with great joy. Ghordinus asked him to take over
his Chair but, he refused preferring the solitary life. Ghordinus insisted
that he stays with him in his cell. St. Narcissus stayed with him for one
year at the end of which Ghordinus departed and St. Narcissus acquired
his Chair. He had aged and was very week so, he asked his people to choose
another bishop, but they refused. Alexander, Bishop of Cappadocia, came
to Jerusalem to visit the Holy Land and pray. When he was about to return,
after the feast, the people heard a great voice in the church of the Resurrection
saying: "Go to the gate of the city, the first one to enter it, seize him,
make him stay to assist Narcissus." When, they went to the gate, they met
the Bishop Alexander, and pleaded with him to stay to assist Abba Narcissus.
After much resistant, Bishop Alexander decided to accept and stay until
the departure of St. Narcissus. This father remained on the Episcopal Chair
for thirty seven years, and all the years of his life were one hundred
and sixteen years.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Alexandrus
On this day also St. Alexandrus,
the soldier, was martyred during the reign of the infidel Emperor Maximianus.
When this saint refused to raise incense for the idols, the Emperor punished
him. The Emperor ordered him hung by his hands and a large heavy stone
tied to his feet. He ordered him to be beaten, his sides burned, and placed
lit torches against his face. When all these tortures did not dissuade
him, the Emperor ordered him beheaded and he received the crown of
martyrdom.
May his intercession be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of Anba Marcura
Today also is the commemoration
of Anba Marcura, the Bishop.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.