Icon of Saints celebrated on November 18th: Sts. Plato the Great Martyr, Romanos the Martyr, and Anastasios the New Martyr of Epirus (taken from: http://christopherklitou.com/icon_18_nov_platon_romanus_anastasius_newmartyr.htm)
New Martyrs Anastasius of Epirus and Daniel (1750)
"Anastasius and his sister were Greek peasants living in Epirus under Ottoman rule. One day a band of Turks came through their village, led by Musa, the son of the local Pasha (Governor). Musa was struck by the beauty of Anastasius' sister and tried to seize her, but Anastasius threw himself at the Turks and fought them off long enough for his sister to escape. Musa's father had Anastasius arrested and brought before him and, impressed by his courage, attempted to convert him to Islam by many means: threats, beatings, and offers of worldly honor; but Anastasius held firm and was cast into prison.
St. Anastasios of Paramythia (http://www.imparamythias.gr/OIDEEC_AAEIEIAEA/oideec_aaeieiaea.html)
Musa was moved by the way that Anastasius bore all these trials and temptations, and wanted to know more about the Faith that sustained him. Going secretly to Anastasius' prison cell, he peered in and saw two young men of shining appearance with the prisoner. They vanished as soon as Musa entered. Anastasius told Musa that these were angels who guard and aid every Christian, especially when they suffer for Christ. He also explained in a simple way the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which enables His followers to set little value upon worldly things. Musa, deeply moved, threw himself at Anastasius' feet and asked to become a Christian. Anastasius told him to wait until the proper time, because his conversion would cause his father to persecute all the Christians under his power. A few days later, in 1750, Anastasius was beheaded by order of the Pasha.
Church of St. Anastasios the New Martyr in Paramythia (http://www.imparamythias.gr/OIDEEC_AAEIEIAEA/oideec_aaeieiaea.html)
Soon after this, Musa visited the tomb of a holy Martyr and was granted a vision of Anastasius, who appeared to him encircled in light and urged him to continue on the road to Christ. Musa fled his father's domain to the Peleponnese where he received direction in the Faith from an aged ascetic. He then traveled to Venice to be baptized without fear of reprisal by the Turks. In time he became a monk on Corfu, receiving the monastic name of Daniel. He lived there in asceticism, but the desire grew in him to taste martyrdom for Christ, so he traveled to Constantinople to declare his conversion to the Muslims. But the Christians there dissuaded him, knowing that the conversion of such a prominent Turk would, if it were known, lead to retaliation against Christians. Saint Daniel returned to Corfu, where he founded a church in honor of St Anastasius and reposed in peace."
(taken from: http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/November/18-04.htm)
Icon of St. Anastasios the New Martyr of Paramythia (taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/ceacceb3ceb9cebfcf82cebdceb5cebfcebcceaccf81cf84cf85cf82-ceb1cebdceb1cf83cf84ceaccf83ceb9cebfcf82.jpg)
Apolytikion for a Martyr in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment