St. Stylianos of Paphlagonia the Righteous

St. Stylianos of Paphlagonia the Righteous - Commemorated on November 26 (http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103401)
  

   Saint Stylianus was born in Paphlagonia of Asia Minor sometime between the fourth and sixth centuries. He inherited a great fortune from his parents when they died, but he did not keep it. He gave it away to the poor according to their need, desiring to help those who were less fortunate.

Stylianus left the city and went to a monastery, where he devoted his life to God. Since he was more zealous and devout than the other monks, he provoked their jealousy and had to leave. He left the monastery to live alone in a cave in the wilderness, where he spent his time in prayer and fasting.

The goodness and piety of the saint soon became evident to the inhabitants of Paphlagonia, and they sought him out to hear his teaching, or to be cured by him. Many were healed of physical and mental illnesses by his prayers.

St Stylianus was known for his love of children, and he would heal them of their infirmities. Even after his death, the citizens of Paphlagonia believed that he could cure their children. Whenever a child became sick, an icon of St Stylianus was painted and was hung over the child's bed.

At the hour of his death, the face of St Stylianus suddenly became radiant, and an angel appeared to receive his soul.

Known as a protector of children, St Stylianus is depicted in iconography holding an infant in his arms. Pious Christians ask him to help and protect their children, and childless women entreat his intercession so that they might have children.
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103401)

Icon with the Apolytikion of St. Stylianos (http://www.egolpion.com/agios-stulianos.el.aspx)

  

Apolytikion in the Third Tone

A living monument of self restraint, an immovable pillar of the Church you were shown to be, blessed Stylianos, for you were dedicated to God from your youth, and were seen as a dwelling place of the Spirit. Holy Father, entreat Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone (amateur translations below)

You were sanctified from your mother's womb as the divine Samuel, O God-bearer, and ascetically were glorified by Christ God. Therefore you were shown a treasury of healings, and a divine protector of children and infants. For Christ radiantly glorifies you, O Stylianos, who from childhood glorified Him.

  

Oikos

You were dedicated from God the Benefactor from childhood, as the great Baptist (St. John), and were shown a zealot and an imitator and type of his pure life and virtuous ways. Therefore like him, O Father, you dwelt in the desert in fasting and vigil, having purified your nous, and brought to mind ceaseless prayer to the Lord. Therefore you were filled with light that surpasses all thought, and with God-given graces, being shown a helper of all, and a most-speedy healer in afflictions. For Christ radiantly glorifies you, O Stylianos, who from childhood glorified Him.

  

Synaxarion

On the 26^th of this month (November), the memory of our Righteous Father Stylianos of Paphlagonia.

   

Verses
The firm pillar of asceticism has fallen,

For Stylianos has left this life.

Stylianos joyfully stands by God on the twenty-sixth.
  
Megalynarion

Sacred pillar placed by God, and a multitude of virtues which your life imparts to us, O Father Stylianos, in godly manner order our minds, of those who praise you. (http://synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1281/sxsaintinfo.aspx, http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2009/11/26-2.html)

  

St. Stylianos the Righteous Protector of Children (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AJg2OHlnL8rWftS34o25fvfGN6AYQUr8Ln7XlvMGUMz6bl4ckV3VkaU2iVQVjj9zdu7KD_6qV-4y0Q7BwcPAZXlwccjbjX4ZfnAuYGRnnK1lkDhmlbpPE0zW_8AOY-N2byLRRtGfY0gn/s1600/stylianos.jpeg)

  

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