Eastern Rite - Feasts of 6 February AM 7531

Today is the Afterfeast of the Encounter and the Feasts of Our Venerable Father Boucolus, Bishop of Smyrna; the Holy Hieromartyr Sylvanus, Bishop of Emessa and Those with Him.

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The fourth day of the Afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord falls on February 6.

Troparion — Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace! / From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. / Enlightening those who sat in darkness! / Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder; / you accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, / Who grants us the Resurrection.

Kontakion — Tone 1

By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin’s womb, / and did bless Simeon’s hands, O Christ God. / Now You have come and saved us through love. / Grant peace to all Right-Believing Christians, O only Lover of man!

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Saint Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian and became the first Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor).

By the grace of God, Saint Bucolus converted many of the pagans to Christ and baptized them. As a wise and experienced guide, he defended his flock from the darkness of heresy.

He died in peace between the years 100-105. He entrusted his flock to Saint Polycarp (February 23), one of the Apostolic Fathers, who was also a disciple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian. At the grave of Saint Bucolus grew a myrtle tree, which healed the sick.

Troparion — Tone 4

You shone with the rays of virtue / received from him who leaned on the Master’s breast. / Resplendent, God-inspired hierarch, / you led your flock to the pastures of truth. / Entreat Christ our God for those who honour you, father Bucolus.

Kontakion — Tone 2

He who was beloved of Christ / saw the purity of your life; / he made you a shepherd of the Church / and a radiant lamp of godliness. / Holy father Bucolus, / you truly emulated his virtues.

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Saint Silvanus the bishop suffered in the city of Phoenician Emesa (Homs) in 312 along with Saint Luke the deacon and Mocius the Reader. After tortures, imprisonment and exhaustion by hunger, they were thrown to the wild beasts. The holy martyrs died praying, untouched by the animals. Christians took up the bodies of the holy martyrs by night and buried them with reverence.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Silvanus, O Lord, / Through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / And shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!