Eastern Rite - Feasts of 12 July AM 7530

Today is the Feasts of the Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion and of Our Venerable Father Michael of Maleon.

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The Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion were natives of the village of Kallippi, near Ancyra, and they suffered during the time of persecution under the emperor Trajan (98-117). Saint Proclus was put under arrest first. Brought before the governor Maximus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in Christ. The governor decided to compel the saint to submit himself to the emperor and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. During his tortures, the martyr predicted to Maximus that soon he himself would be compelled to confess Christ as the true God. They forced the martyr to run after the chariot of the governor, heading towards the village of Kallippi. Exhausted, Saint Proclus prayed that the Lord would halt the chariot. By the power of God, the chariot halted, and no force could move it from the spot. The dignitary sitting in it became petrified. The martyr told him that he would remain unmoving until such time as he would sign a document with a confession of Christ. Only after this could the chariot continue on its way with the governor.

The humiliated pagan took fierce revenge on Saint Proclus. He commanded that Proclus be led out beyond the city, tied to a pillar and shot with arrows. The soldiers, leading Saint Proclus to execution, told him to give in and save his life, but the saint said that they should follow their orders.

Along the way to the place of execution, they met Hilarion, the nephew of Saint Proclus, who with tears embraced his uncle and also confessed himself a Christian. The soldiers seized him, and he was thrown into prison. The holy Martyr Proclus prayed for his tormentors and surrendered his soul to God beneath a hail of arrows.

Saint Hilarion was brought to trial and, with the same courage as Saint Proclus, confessed himself as a Christian. After tortures, he was sentenced to death. They tied the martyr’s hands and dragged him by his feet through the city, wounded and bloody, and then they beheaded him three days after the death of his uncle, the holy Martyr Proclus. Christians buried them together in a single grave.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “As You were voluntarily raised...”)
Like the morning star, / your glorious sufferings enlighten us with holy miracles. / We celebrate your memory, Proclus and Hilary; / pray to Christ God for us / that He will save our souls.

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Saint Michael lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine VI (913-959) until the reign of Basil II, the Bulgar-slayer (976 - 1025). He was born in Cappadocia to devout and wealthy parents, Eudókimos and Anastasó (Ἀναστασῶ). Eustáthios, his paternal grandfather, was a patrician; and his maternal grandfather, Adrálestos, held the rank of General of the East.

Manouḗl (the Saint's name in the world) was brought up in the east, but soon he realized the futility of worldly honours and goods. Around the year 925, he fled to Mount Kyminas (Όρος Κύμινας) in Bithynia. There he met a monk named John Heladites, an Elder of great virtue, and asked him if he might stay nearby. The Elder accepted him, but after a while, his father discovered where he was, and after many entreaties, he brought him home.

After a few months, however, and with the permission of his parents, he returned to his Elder, who received him with great joy. Soon he begged Father John to allow him to live alone in a cave, and the Elder blessed him to do this. For five days of the week, he devoted himself to fasting, vigil, and prayer. On Saturday and Sunday, he came to the monastery to participate in the Divine Services, and to partake of the Holy Mysteries.

After three years of probation, Manouḗl was tonsured as a monk with the name Michael. Later, after Elder John had reposed, Father Michael took the great inheritance he had received from his family and gave it away to the poor and the suffering.

Saint Michael was deemed worthy of ordination to the priesthood. From the Holy Scriptures, he showed how the priesthood ought to be combined with monasticism. He attained a high degree of dispassion, and he also received the gift of clairvoyance. He was very compassionate and kind toward people. He could not bear to let those who were in need or sorrow remain without help and consolation. By his ardent prayers, he performed many miracles.

Saint Michael also founded the famous Lavra of Kyminas, where many brethren received their spiritual formation. He had organized it as a cenobitic monastery, suffusing it with fraternal love. Many great ascetics passed through this Monastery, among whom was Saint Athanasios the Athonite (July 5), the founder of the Greatest Lavra (Μεγίστη Λαύρα) on the Holy Mountain. Kyminas Monastery was also renowned for its calligraphers, and for copying spiritual books.

Once the monastery was secure, Saint Michael went to an even more remote place, where he built a new monastery. Through his efforts, the whole mountain of Kyminas was covered with monastic communities, where constant prayers were offered for the entire world before the Throne of the Most High.

At an advanced age, but still vigorous in faith and in spirit, Saint Michael surrendered his holy soul to God in the year 962.

Troparion — Tone 8

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, O holy Father Michael, rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

By your deeds, you withered the arrogance of the flesh; / through enlightenment you gave wings to your agility of spirit. / You were revealed as a dwelling place of the Trinity, / Whom you now clearly behold. / Blessed Michael, unceasingly pray for us all.