Sts. Galaction and Episteme the Righteous Martyrs

Sts. Galaction and Episteme the Righteous Martyrs - Commemorated on November 5th (icon taken from: http://christopherklitou.com/icon_5_nov_galaction_epistime.htm)

"They were born in the city of Edessa in Phoenicia, both of pagan parents. Galaction's mother was barren until she was baptised. After her baptism, she brought her husband also to the true Faith and baptised her son Galaction, bringing him up a Christian. When the time came for Galaction to marry, his devout mother Leucippe died, and his father betrothed him to a maiden called Episteme. Galaction did not wish to enter into marriage at all, and he quickly urged Episteme to be baptised and then to become a nun at the same time as he became a monk. Both went away to the mountain of Publion, Galaction to a men's monastery and Episteme to a women's, and each of them became a true light in the monastery. They were first in labours, in prayer, in humility and obedience, and first in love. They did not leave their monasteries, and neither saw the other until the time of their death. A fierce persecution arose, and they were both brought to trial. While they were mercilessly whipping Galaction, Episteme was weeping, and they then whipped her also. They cut off their hands and feet, and finally their heads. One Eutolius, a man who had been a servant of Episteme's parents and then a monk together with Galaction, took their bodies and buried them. He also wrote the Lives of these two wonderful martyrs for Christ, who suffered and received their heavenly crowns in 253."
(taken from: http://www.pomog.org/prologue/November/18.htm)

Fresco from Decani Monastery depicting the martyrdom of Sts. Galaction and Episteme (taken from: http://www.srpskoblago.org/Archives/Decani/exhibits/Menologion/November/CX4K3478_l.html)

Excerpt from "A Synoptic View of the Orthodox Ascetical Tradition of Mount Sinai", by Archimandrite Isaiah of Simonopetra

"Certainly, by the 3rd century, the presence of Christian ascetics in Sinai is known, because, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), Bedouin tribesmen, then still idolaters, killed and sacrificed monks instead of camels to their gods. These monks are probably to be identified with the Abbades of Sinai and Raitho, whose Martyrdom the Orthodox Church celebrates on the 14th of January. A "Discourse upon the Holy Fathers slain on Mount Sinai and Raitho" was written by the Egyptian Abba Ammonius, who became one of the first ascetic spiritual advisers at the Byzantine Imperial Court in the late 4th century, and ended his life as the Metropolitan of Adrianople in Thrace.

Picture (I believe) of the Mountain of Sts. Galakteon and Episteme (taken from: http://www.sinaimonastery.com/en/index.php?lid=50#)

Just before this, under the Emperor Decian (250), the martyrdom took place of Galaction and Episteme, a young married couple, so the story goes, living in chastity. Instructed by their spiritual mentor Onouphrius and by mutual consent, they had spent periods apart in solitary ascesis on Mount Sinai, where their relics were conveyed after death. A pure legend say, some, a travesty of marriage, say others, an exemplary triumph over nature, says the Orthodox Church."

(taken from: http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_32.htm)

Picture (I believe) of the Hermitage of Sts. Galaction and Episteme; Elder Paisios the Athonite lived here for two years (1962-1964) in great asceticism. (taken from: http://www.sinaimonastery.com/en/index.php?lid=50#; http://www.balamandmonastery.org.lb/fathers/fatherspaisios1.htm#top)

The Mountain of Sts. Galakteon and Episteme (Jebel el-Deir)

"The mountain to the north of the monastery [of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai] derives its name from Saints Galakteon and Episteme, who lived in asceticism at Sinai before their subsequent martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Decius. The hermitage dedicated to their memory is a small complex with a chapel, two cells, and a kitchen area, located some forty-five minutes from the monastery. From the complex, the pilgrim has a commanding view of the summit of Sinai opposite."

(taken from: http://www.sinaimonastery.com/en/index.php?lid=50#)

Icon of the Synaxis of the Fathers of Mount Sinai (taken from: http://www.pigizois.net/galery/agiografies/sinaxi_sinaiton_pateron.jpg)

Another icon of Sts. Galaction and Episteme (taken from: http://www.sinaimonastery.com/en/index.php?lid=50#)

Troparion - Tone 4

Let us the faithful honor these two betrothed athletes: Galácteon and modest Epistémis. Their ascetic labors blossomed into martyrdom, therefore we cry to them: "Glory to Him who has strengthened you! Glory to Him who has crowned you! Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!"

Kontakion - Tone 2

You are numbered among the hosts of martyrs for you were illustrious in mighty contests. Galácteon, together with Epistémis, your faithful wife and companion in struggle, unceasingly intercede to the one God for us all.

(taken from: http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103176)

 

St. Paisios the Athonite (source)

  

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