Eastern Rite - Feasts of 22 September AM 7531

Today is the Feasts of the Holy Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope, of the Holy Prophet Jonas, of the Venerable Jonah the Presbyter, Father of Theophanes, Composer of Canons, and of Theodore the Branded.

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Hieromartyr Phocas was born in the city of Sinope. From youth he led a virtuous Christian life, and in his adult years he became Bishop of Sinope. Saint Phocas converted many pagans to faith in Christ. At the time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Trajan (98-117), the governor demanded that the saint renounce Christ. After fierce torture, they enclosed Saint Phocas in a hot bath, where he died a martyr’s death in the year 117.

In the year 404, the relics of the saint were transferred to Constantinople (July 22).

The Hieromartyr Phocas is especially venerated as a defender against fires, and also as a helper of the drowning.

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Phocas, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 2

The Master has established you as a resplendent sun / shining on all the faithful. / He has accepted your life, faith and contest as myrrh, O glorious Martyr Phocas, / for he is rich in mercy!

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The Holy Prophet Jonas lived in the eighth century before the birth of Christ and was a successor of the Prophet Elisha. The Book of the Prophet Jonas contains prophecies about the judgments on the Israelite nation, the sufferings of the Savior, the downfall of Jerusalem, and the end of the world. Besides the prophecies, the Book of Jonas relates how he was sent to the Ninevites to preach repentance (Jon. 3: 3-10).

Our Lord Jesus Christ, addressing the Scribes and the Pharisees who demanded a sign from Him, said that no sign would be given except for the sign of the Prophet Jonas, “As Jonas was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so also shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights” (Mt. 12: 40). From these words the Lord shows clearly the symbolic meaning of the Book of the Prophet Jonas in relation to Christ’s death on the Cross, descent into Hell, and the Resurrection.

Reproaching the lack of penitence and recalcitrance of the Jews, the Lord said, “The Ninevites shall rise in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and one greater than Jonas is here” (Mt. 12: 41).

Troparion — Tone 2

We celebrate the memory / of Your prophet Jonas, O Lord; / through him we entreat You, / save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)
Enlightened by the Spirit, your pure heart became the dwelling place of most splendid prophecy; / for you saw things far off as if they were near. / Therefore, we honour you, blessed and glorious Prophet Jonas.

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Saint Jonah the Presbyter, Father of Saints Theophanes the Hymnographer (October 11) and Theodore the Branded (December 27), lived in Palestine in the late eighth to early ninth centuries.

Saint Jonah lived a virtuous and holy life. He had two sons who were glorified afterwards for their confession of the Catholic Faith during the time of the Iconoclast heresy. After the death of his wife, Saint Jonah withdrew to the Lavra of Saint Savva the Sanctified (December 5), where both his sons earlier had been tonsured as monks. Saint Jonah dwelt at the Lavra until his death in the ninth century. The Lord bestowed upon His saint the gift of healing.

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears, you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Jonah, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!