Synaxarium
Daily Stories of the Saints
for the Blessed Month of Baramhat
The Fifth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Baramhat 5
Departure of Anba Serapamon, Archpriest
of Abba Yehnis (John) monastery
On this day the ascetic holy father
Anba Serapamon the Archpriest of Abu-Yehnis (John) monastery departed.
This Saint became a monk in his youth at the monastery of the saint Abu-Yehnis.
He stayed there for thirty two years in worshipping God and serving the
elders. Then he was promoted to be the archpriest (Hegomen) of the monastery
and was delegated to manage it. He added to his works of righteousness
and ascetism, and he spent his day fasting from the day of his monkshood
until the day of his departure. After spending twenty years in running
the monastery, he shut himself up in a church and no one saw him for a
period of ten years. During this period he only ate on Saturday and Sunday.
When the time of his departure drew near, the angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a vision and gave him a cross of fire saying: "Take this cross
in your hand". The saint replied: " How can I hold fire in my hands." The
angel said: "Do not be afraid for Christ have not given the fire dominion
over you." The Saint extended his hand and took the cross from the angel.
Then the angel told him: "Be strong, partake of the Holy Mysteries and
after three days I shall come and take you". When he woke up from his sleep,
he told the elders about his vision. They wept, bid him farewell, and asked
him to remember them. He asked them to remember him in their prayers. He
departed on the third day and the elders were around him.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St.Eudexia
(Eutychia)
On this day also is the
commemoration of St. Eudexia which is interpreted "happiness". This Saint
was Samaritan by race and religion, from the city of Baalbek. The name
of her father was Younan and the name of her mother was Hakeemah. She lived
her early life in immorality. With the beauty of her face and physical
appearance, she stumbled many and made them to fall into sin acquiring
thereby great wealth. A saintly monk from Jerusalem called Germanus heard
about her. He went to her, preached her with solemn and frightful words,
mentioning to her hell, worms, darkness, and the fearful punishments which
are therein. She asked him: "Does the body rise after death, and after
it becomes dust to be judged?" He replied "Yes". She asked him: "What are
the proofs on what you said, since the Torah that God gave to Moses the
prophet and my fathers did not mention this?" He explained to her with
biblical and logical proofs until she was convinced. She asked him: "If
I go back on my evil works would God accept me?" He replied: "If you believed
that the Lord Christ had come to the world, took away our sins by His Crucifixion,
repented now a sincere repentance, and been baptized, He will accept you,
and will not mention any of what you have done, but you will be as if you
just have been borne."
Her heart opened to the
faith and asked him to help her to fulfil that. He took her to the bishop
of Baalbek and she confessed before him the Holy Trinity, the incarnation
of the Word and His Crucifixion. While the Bishop was praying over the
water to baptize her, the Lord opened her mind, she saw an angel attracting
her to the water and the other angels were rejoicing for her. Then she
saw an ugly terrifying looking person trying to drag her away from them
and he was in wrath with her. What she saw increased her desire for repentance
and baptism. After her baptism, she gave all what she gained as fruit of
her sin to the poor and needy. She entered a convent of nuns, she put on
the garb of monasticism, and fought a good and perfect fight. Satan entered
into some of her friends who informed the Governor about her. The Governor
commanded his men to bring her. When she came into his house she found
great lamentation and weeping for the governor's son had just died. She
came to where the son was laid, prayed entreating the Lord Christ for his
sake and He raised him up from death. The Prince believed in Christ through
her. Another prince called Diogenes heard about her. He brought her before
him, and she saw a soldier standing before him, who was blind in one eye,
she prayed and made the sign of the cross over the eye, and it was opened.
The prince released her instantly. Shortly after this, another Prince called
Bekeyfius was appointed, and he heard about her and had her brought to
him. She asked the Lord Christ to give her a portion with the martyrs.
The Prince commanded to cut off her head, and she received the crown of
martyrdom.
May her intercession be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Peter the Priest
On this day also the honorable
presbyter St. Peter departed. This father spent his life fasting, he shut
himself in and was disciplined in praying days and nights. The Lord granted
him the gift of knowing the future, healing the sick through the water
and oil after praying over them. He was ordained a priest, after much reluctance,
and he was forced to obey the order. He offered the incense and celebrated
the Liturgy daily. The people of the city rejoiced saying: "May the Lord
grant us the forgiveness of our sins with his prayers and supplications."
He had a wonderful power of reconciling persons at variance. During his
prayer one night, St.Peter the apostle appeared to him and told him: "Hail
to you for you have kept the priesthood without blemish. Hail to you for
your prayers and masses had ascended as sweet aroma." When the Saint saw
him, he was terrified. St Peter told him: "I am the apostle Peter, do not
be afraid for the Lord has sent me to comfort you and to inform you that
you are leaving this toilsome world to the Eternal kingdom, so rejoice
and be comforted." The priest rejoiced for that and said "Remember me O
My Father." When he said that he departed in happiness, glory and honor.
May the Lord have mercy on us with his prayers and blessings and
Glory be to God for ever. Amen.