Eastern Rite ~ Feasts of 10 July AM 7533

Today is the Feasts of Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv, Father of Monasticism in the Rus' Lands, of the Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia and of the Holy Brothers Francis, Mutius and Raphael and Those with Them, Martyred in Damascus (1860).

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Saint Anthony of the Kyiv Caves was born in the year 983 at Liubech, not far from Chernihiv, and was named Antipas in Baptism. Possessing the fear of God from his youth, he desired to be clothed in the monastic schema. When he reached a mature age, he wandered until he arrived on Mt. Athos, burning with the desire to emulate the deeds of its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure, and the young monk pleased God in every aspect of his spiritual struggles on the path of virtue. He particularly excelled in humility and obedience, so that all the monks rejoiced to see his holy life.

The igumen saw in Saint Anthony the great future ascetic, and inspired by God, he sent him back to his native land, saying, “Anthony, it is time for you to guide others in holiness. Return to your own Rus' land, and be an example for others. May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be with you.”

Returning to the land of Rus', Anthony began to make the rounds of the monasteries about Kyiv, but nowhere did he find that strict life which had drawn him to Mt. Athos.

Through the Providence of God, Anthony came to the hills of Kyiv by the banks of the River Dnipro. The forested area near the village of Berestovo reminded him of his beloved Athos. There he found a cave which had been dug out by the Priest Hilarion, who later became Metropolitan of Kyiv (October 21). Since he liked the spot, Anthony prayed with tears, “Lord, let the blessing of Mt. Athos be upon this spot, and strengthen me to remain here.” He began to struggle in prayer, fasting, vigil and physical labour. Every other day, or every third day, he would eat only dry bread and a little water. Sometimes he did not eat for a week. People began to come to the ascetic for his blessing and counsel, and some decided to remain with the saint.

Among Anthony’s first disciples was Saint Nikon (March 23), who tonsured Saint Theodosius of the Caves (May 3) at the monastery in the year 1032.

The virtuous life of Saint Anthony illumined the Rus' Lands with the beauty of monasticism. Saint Anthony lovingly received those who yearned for the monastic life. After instructing them how to follow Christ, he asked Saint Nikon to tonsure them. When twelve disciples had gathered about Saint Anthony, the brethren dug a large cave and built a church and cells for the monks within it.

After he appointed Abbot Barlaam to guide the brethren, Saint Anthony withdrew from the monastery. He dug a new cave for himself and then hid within it. There too, monks began to settle around him. Afterwards, the saint built a small wooden church in honour of the Dormition of the Mother of God over the Far Caves.

At the insistence of the Great Prince Izyaslav, the igumen Barlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev monastery. With the blessing of Saint Anthony and with the general agreement of the brethren, the meek and humble Theodosius was chosen as igumen. By this time, the number of brethren had already reached a hundred men. The Kyiv Great Prince Izyaslav (+ 1078) gave the monks the hill on which the large church and cells were built, with a palisade all around. Thus, the renowned monastery over the caves was established. Describing this, the chronicler remarks that while many monasteries were built by emperors and nobles, they could not compare with those which are built with holy prayers and tears, and by fasting and vigil. Although Saint Anthony had no gold, he built a monastery which became the first spiritual centre of Rus'.

For his holiness of life, God glorified Saint Anthony with the gift of clairvoyance and wonderworking. One example of this occurred during the construction of the Great Caves church. The Most Holy Theotokos Herself stood before him and Saint Theodosius in the Blachernae church in Constantinople, where they had been miraculously transported without leaving their own monastery. Actually, two angels appeared in Constantinople in their forms (See May 3, the account of the Kyiv Caves Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). Having received gold from the Mother of God, the saints commissioned master architects, who came from Constantinople to the Rus' Lands on the command of the Queen of Heaven to build the church at the Monastery of the Caves. During this appearance, the Mother of God foretold the impending death of Saint Anthony, which occurred on July 10, 1073.

Through Divine Providence, the relics of Saint Anthony remain hidden.

Troparion — Tone 4

Having departed from worldly tumults, / in leaving the world you followed Christ according to the Gospel. / You reached the quiet refuge of the Holy Mount Athos, / living there a life equal to the angels. / Therefore, with the blessing of the Fathers, / you came to the Kyivan hills. / There having fulfilled a life-loving of labours, / you illumined your homeland. / And having shown a multitude of monastics / the pathway leading to the heavenly kingdom, / you led them to Christ. / Beseech him, O Venerable Anthony, / that he may save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 8

From your youth you gave yourself to God whom you loved above all, O Venerable One; / and in love you followed after him with your whole soul. / Scorning the passing corruption of the world, you made a cave in the earth; / and in it you struggled nobly facing the snares of the invisible enemy, / while illumining the ends of the earth like a bright, shining sun. / Therefore, with rejoicing, you entered into the heavenly chambers. / Standing now before the throne of the Master together with the angels, / remember us who honour your holy memory, / that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, Anthony our Holy Father!

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The Forty-five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia suffered during the reign of Emperor Licinius (311-324), who was then co-regent with Saint Constantine the Great (May 21). Licinius, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, fiercely persecuted Christians and issued an edict to put to death any Christian who would not return to paganism. When the persecutions began at Nicopolis, more than forty of those being persecuted for Christ decided to appear voluntarily before their persecutors, to confess openly their faith in the Son of God, and to accept martyrdom. The holy confessors were headed by Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Sisinius, Meneus, and Belerad (Virilad), and they were distinguished by their virtuous life.

Lycias, the procurator of the Armenian district, before whom the holy confessors presented themselves, was amazed at the boldness and bravery of those who condemned themselves voluntarily to torture and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints remained steadfast. They refuted all the ruler’s arguments, pointing out to him the falseness of their vile and vice-filled pagan gods, leading those who worship them to ruin. The procurator ordered the confessors to be beaten about the face with stones, and then to be shackled and imprisoned.

In the prison, the saints rejoiced and sang the Psalms of David. Saint Leontius inspired and encouraged the brethren, preparing them to accept new tortures for the true Faith, and telling them of the bravery of all those who had suffered previously for Christ. In the morning, after repeated refusals to offer sacrifice to the idols, the saints were subjected to further tortures.

Saint Leontius, seeing the intense suffering of the martyrs, and fearful that some of them might falter and lose faith, prayed to God that these torments would end quickly for all of them.

When the holy martyrs were singing Psalms at midnight, an Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them, and the prison blazed with light. The Angel declared to the martyrs that their contest was coming to an end, and their names already were inscribed in Heaven. Two of the prison guards, Meneus and Virilad, saw what was happening and believed in Christ.

On the following morning, Lysias decided to ask them if they had changed their minds and were willing to worship the idols. With one mouth, the Saints replied: “We are Christians! We are Christians!” Insane with rage, Lysias ordered that their hands and feet be cut off, and then threw them into the fire. After this, their bones were tossed into a river. Later on, when freedom had been given to the Church of Christ, a church was built on the spot and was dedicated to the 45 Holy Martyrs of Nikopolis.

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)

You were chosen from on high as a holy army, / O Forty-five Martyrs of Christ, / lawfully contesting for the glory of Christ, / and by your struggles you freed us from the delusion of polytheism. / Because of these struggles, we glorify all of you.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs, O Lord, / through their suffering 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 8

(Podoben: “As the first fruits of our nature...”)
You endured many torments for the sake of Christ, O Martyrs. / You destroyed idolatrous polytheism and godless error by the power of Christ. / Teach us to cry aloud with faith: Alleluia.

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The Massabki brothers, Francis, Abdul-Mooti, and Raphael, were three Maronite brothers who lived in Damascus in the nineteenth century and were martyred on July 10, 1860. The brothers came from an extended family that was both successful and pious. The Muslim sheikhs of Damascus referred to the Massabki clan as people who joined in prayer and spiritual reading every night in their homes. The family was descended from a Maronite Priest and had lived in Damascus for over 400 years. 

Of the Massabki brothers, Francis and Abdul-Mooti were each married with children. Raphael, the youngest, who apparently was not well, remained single. They had another brother, the priest Fr Abdallah, who was not with them at the time of their martyrdoms. Of the brothers, Francis was the best known. He was a generous man and a successful silk trader, famous in Lebanon and Syria alike. He represented the Maronite Patriarch when His Beatitude needed to conduct business in Syria. All three were known for the amount of time and the fervour which they devoted to prayer. They performed much of their charitable work from the Franciscan monastery in Damascus. 

​The martyrdom of the three Massabki brothers came to be by the Ottoman authorities in Damascus on the nights of July 9 and 10, 1860, referred to as "The Two Days of Blood." Due to the increasing unrest in Damascus, and in the wake of the attacks on Christians (Latin, Orthodox, Byzantine and Maronite) by extremists who wanted to kill them, a number of them sought refuge and protection in the Franciscan monastery in the neighborhood of Bab Touma.

At 8 p.m. on the night of Monday, July 9, 1860, Francis and his brothers Raphael and Abdul-Mooti joined the monastery near their home. At 11 p.m., the doors of the monastery were closed and everyone entered the church. They confessed their sins, received the Holy Eucharist, and recited in their hearts the Psalm "The LORD is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? …"

At 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the heavily armed attackers infiltrated the monastery, broke into the congregation, and killed eight Franciscan monks, together with three laymen who worked at the monastery.Then the armed men began shouting, "Where is Francis Massabki?" while he knelt in prayer before the statue of the Virgin Mary. Francis got up and fearlessly approached them saying, "I am Francis Massabki, what do you seek?" They replied, "The Governor sent us to save you, your brothers, your families, and everyone who joins you, and to give you back your money, provided that you deny your faith and convert to Islam, otherwise you will all perish." This offer came from the Governor because he had borrowed a large sum of money from Francis.

​Francis answered them: "The governor can take my money, but my faith nobody can take away from me... We are not afraid of those who kill the body... We are Christians and in the religion of Christ we shall die. We Christians do not fear those who kill the body, as the Lord Jesus said. We have but one soul, and we shall not lose it." Then, he turned to his brothers and said to them, "Take courage and stay strong in your faith, for the crown of victory is prepared in heaven for those who persevere to the end."

They immediately professed their faith in the Lord Jesus with these words: "We are Christians and we want to live and die as Christians." Then, Francis returned to his prayer. The attackers stormed them, striking with their sticks, daggers and axes, at the foot of the altar, and so they surrendered their pure souls into the hand of God, preferring death to disbelief, and thus received the crown of martyrdom. It happened on the dawn of July 10, 1860.

The massacres of 1860 are considered some of the most horrible sectarian massacres in the history of the Ottoman Empire (before the massacres of Armenians and Syriacs), and many of the people of the Levant and Mount Lebanon still remember them with pain. One Syrian sociologist reports: "The massacres of 1860 began in Lebanon in April, and within a few weeks, more than 60 Christian villages in the Shouf and Metn areas had been reduced to ashes. In Hasbaya, instructions were given that no Christian male should remain alive between the ages of seven and seventy, and the scope of the disaster reached to Zahle, where almost every house was reduced to ashes. The disaster lasted for three months, 12,000 people were killed, and property losses were estimated at four million pounds..."

The spark reached Damascus, and there the catastrophe took another turn as the mob seized the city and began to kill and destroy with insatiable pleasure.The people of Damascus burned the Christian quarter and killed more than ten thousand people. The total number of victims in the Syrian capital was 11,000 martyrs."

In the midst of the martyrdom of Christians in Damascus, a humanist Islamic story was being unraveled. Many of the dignitaries of Damascus, such as the Algerian prince, Assaad Efendi Hamza, Sheikh Salim al-Attar, Saleh Agha al-Shorbaji, Said Agha al-Nuri, and Omar Agha al-Aabed, tried to protect Christians. Prince Abdelkader of Algeria protected more than a thousand Christians from death... His mission, and that of the honorable Muslims of Damascus, was limited to extending a helping hand to the Christians, and to saving as many as possible. Among the survivors were those who were then in the protected neighborhoods of the pious Muslims, or hidden by a devout Muslim, or were able to reach the Damascus Citadel, which was under the protection of Askar Hashim Agha who rejected what was taking place.

On May 4, 1926, Archbishop Beshara al-Chemali, Archbishop of Damascus at the time, petitioned Pope Pius XI, asking that the Holy See investigate the evidence for the martyrdom of the three Massabki brothers, like their fellow priests and Franciscan monks, and join the canonization cause of the Three Brothers to theirs.

On 7 October 1926, Pope Pius XI promulgated the Beatification Bull of the Three Massabki Brother Martyrs. On Sunday, October 10, 1926, the Beatification ceremony was held. Raised up on the Great Altar of St. Peter's Basilica were the relics of the Franciscan and Massabki martyrs.

The relics of the martyrs are preserved under the great altar in the cathedral of the diocese of Damascus. They include the relics of the three Massabki brothers and the eight Franciscan monks who were martyred together and buried in three places. These remains were exhumed in October 1861. They were placed in two boxes, one of which was handed over to the Archbishop of the Diocese Beshara al- Chemali. He ordered them to be venerated using the prayers and hymns he had published.

They were Canonised on 20 October 2024 in Rome by Pope Francis.

Prayer from Their Liturgy:

O Lord, today we celebrate with joy the memorial of your blessed martyrs, Francis, Abdul Mooti and Raphael Massabki. Give us strength to imitate their courage; fill us with faith, hope and charity, that daily we may follow you by carrying our crosses and give you glory, now and forever.