Eastern Rite ~ Feasts of 12 October AM 7533

Today is the Feasts of The Holy Martyrs Probus, Tarachus and Andronicus, of Our Venerable Father Cosmas of Jerusalem, Bishop of Maiuma and Composer of Canons, and of Our Holy Father Martin the Compassionate, Bishop of Tours.

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The Martyrs Tarachus, Probus, and Andronicus suffered for Christ in the year 304 at Tarsus in Cilicia. When the pagans ordered him to offer sacrifice to idols, the old soldier Tarachus replied that he would offer a pure heart to the one true God instead of sacrifices of blood. Seeing the firmness of the saint’s confession of the true Faith, the proconsul gave them all over to torture.

“When my body suffers,” Saint Probus said to the idol worshippers, “then my soul is healed and invigorated.” The tormentors refined their tortures, such as their rage could invent, and then they tore the bodies of the saints apart. Christians secretly took up the relics of the saints and buried them.

Troparion — Tone 5

The heavenly powers were amazed at the triumph of the holy martyrs Probus, Tarachus, and Andronicus. / For having fought the good fight with their mortal bodies, / they conquered bodiless enemies by the power of the Cross. / Now they intercede with the Lord / that He may save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 2

The brave warriors of Christ, the martyrs Probus, Tarachus, and Andronicus, / revealed to us the glory of the Trinity. / They refuted the godlessness of their torturers / by bravely contending for the Faith.

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Saint Cosmas the Hymnographer, Bishop of Maiuma, was a native of Jerusalem. He was raised by the parents of Saint John of Damascus (December 4) together with their son, and he received a fine education. When Saint Cosmas came of age, he set out to one of the monasteries of Palestine, where he attained renown for his monastic exploits.

During a time of persecution against holy icons Saint Cosmas, and the venerable John, came forward to defend the Catholic Faith. In the year 743, Cosmas was made Bishop of Maiuma. He died in old age, leaving behind many canons for feast days and a Triodion for four days of Holy Week.

Troparion — Tone 8

O Champion of the True Faith, teacher of purity and of true worship, / the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of the Hierarchs: / O all-wise Father Cosmas, Your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ our God to save our souls!

Troparion — Tone 4

Though in the flesh, you were zealous to emulate the choirs of heaven, / and while on earth you composed hymns to God in the highest, / like a harp of holy wisdom, / with enlightened understanding you hymned God the Word. / O divinely inspired Cosmas, we praise you with hymns!

Kontakion — Tone 2

O God-inspired Cosmas, you adorned yourself with virtues, / adorning the Church of Christ with the rich splendour of your hymns. / Intercede with the Lord that He may deliver us from the snares of our enemies! / We cry out to you: Rejoice, O holy and blessed Father!

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Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.

At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.

Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. Saint Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.

He travelled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Martin an exorcist. After several years of ascetic life, Saint Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, Saint Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels and had visions of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.

After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast in the West and some Eastern Calendars) at Tours. During the Middle Ages, many Western churches were dedicated to Saint Martin, including Saint Martin’s in Canterbury, and Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of Saint Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution, together with the relics of Saint Martin and Saint Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of Saint Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of Saint Gregory’s relics.

Saint Martin’s name appears on many Greek and Russian calendars. His commemoration on October 12 in the Russian calendar appears to be an error since ancient sources give the November date.

Troparion — Tone 4

In signs and in miracles you were renowned throughout Gaul. / By grace and adoption you are a light for the world, O Martin, blessed of God. / Almsgiving and compassion filled your life with their splendours, / teaching and wise counsel were your riches and treasures, / which you dispense freely to those who honour you.

Kontakion — Tone 8

As a devoted man of God, you proclaimed His mysteries, / and as a seer of the Trinity, you shed your blessings on the Occident. / By your prayers and entreaties, O adornment of Tours and glory of all the Church, / preserve us, O Saint Martin, and save all who praise your memory.