St. Jerusalem and her sons Sts. Sekendos, Sekendikos and Kegoros, the Martyrs

The Holy Martyrs St. Jerusalem and her sons Sts. Sekendos, Sekendikos and Kegoros - Celebrated on September 4th (14th Century icon in the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens, picture taken from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Saint_Jerusalem_and_her_sons.jpg)

This saint was from Alexandria. After the death of her husband, she traveled to many places preaching Christ and reached Rome. Continuing her journey she reached our region [Veroia], became a nun, bringing monasticism to the area. She also continued her missionary activities, leading many idolaters to the Christian faith. Thus she was delivered to the duke of Thessaloniki Kindiano, who came himself to Veroia to question her. Seeing her steadfastness he ordered her to be tortured. Her sons were also killed by torture: one was dragged behind horses, the second was beat to death with sticks [ξυλοκοπήθηκε] and the third was forced to put on a heated helmet [πυρωμένη περικεφαλαία]. In the end their holy mother was beheaded between the years of 276 and 282 AD. The skull of St. Jerusalem is kept in the pilgrimage church of St. Anthony Poliouchlou [The Patron Saint; in Veroia] and September 4th their memory is celebrated festally in this church, and also in Kampochori, Alexandria. (amateur translation of text from: http://www.imverias.gr/dev/?option=com_content&view=article&id=23:c&catid=14:-c&Itemid=30&fontstyle=f-larger)

Sts. Jerusalem, Sekendos, Sekendikos and Kegoros (taken from: http://www.imverias.gr/dev/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23:c&catid=14:-c&Itemid=30)

Ἀπολυτίκια. Ἦχος α΄. Τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτης

Ἀθλήσασα νομίμως τὸν Χριστὸν ὡμολόγησας, Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀθληφόρε, σὺν υἱοῖς καὶ δεδόξασαι· ἐντεῦθέν σου τὴν κάραν τὴν σεπτήν, ἡ Βέῤῥοια πλουτήσασα πιστῶς, ἑορτάζει σου τὴν μνήμην τὴν ἱεράν, καὶ ἐκ ψυχῆς κραυγάζει σοί· δόξα τῷ δεδωκότι σοὶ ἰσχύν, δόξα τῷ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τῷ ἐνεργοῦντι διὰ σοῦ, πᾶσιν ἰάματα.

Δόξα. Ἕτερον. Ἦχος δ´. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε

Τετράριθμον ὅμιλον, τῶν ἀθλητῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Σεκένδικον, Σέκενδον, σὺν τῷ Κηγόρῳ ὁμοῦ, συμφώνως τιμήσωμεν, ἅμα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, τὴν αὐτῶν συνυμνοῦντες, τούτοις συνηθληκυῖαν, Ἱερουσαλὴμ τὴν θείαν· Τριάδι γὰρ τῇ ἁγίᾳ, ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρεσβεύουσι.

Apolytikion of Sts. St. Jerusalem, Sekendos, Sekendikos and Kegoros in the Fourth Tone

O four-numbered band of athletes of Christ, Sekendikon, Sekendon with Kegoro, together let us honor, along with their mother, who is hymned along with them, she suffered along with them [συνηθληκυῖαν?], Jerusalem the divine, ever intercede for us before the Holy Trinity.

(hymns and amateur translation from the service and paraklesis to the Saints: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2009/09/4_02.html)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!