In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.

The Great Trial in Alexandria

On this day, we remember a very sad but brave story. In the great city of Alexandria, more than three thousand Christians gave their lives for their faith.

This happened during the time of the wicked Emperor Marcianus, who sent our holy father Abba Dioscoros into exile on an island called Gagra. Without their good shepherd, the people of Alexandria faced much trouble and confusion.

A New Archbishop

After Marcianus died, another emperor named Leo came to power. The people of Rome chose a man from Alexandria named Abrutarius to be archbishop. But he followed the Council of Chalcedon, which many of the faithful Christians in Alexandria did not accept.

Only a few people followed Abrutarius. The rest stayed faithful to the teachings of Abba Cyril and Abba Dioscoros, and they received the Holy Mysteries from the priests those fathers had appointed.

The Faith of Dioscoros

Some people wrongly thought Dioscoros agreed with a priest named Eutyches (‘Awtaki), who said false things about Christ—that the Godhead and the Manhood were all mixed together like one thing.

But this was not true! Dioscoros excommunicated Eutyches. He taught the same faith as the holy fathers Basil, Gregory, and Cyril:

• Jesus is One Lord, One Christ.
• His Godhead did not turn into flesh.
• His flesh did not turn into Godhead.
• Instead, both His divinity and humanity stayed true and perfect, united in one.

This is the faith of the Church.

Trouble for Abrutarius

After Abrutarius gathered his council, something shocking happened—he was found dead in his house! His followers blamed the friends of Dioscoros. But the faithful answered,
“We are brothers. Perhaps Eutyches’ men killed him, or maybe thieves did it for money. We did not.”

Still, Abrutarius’ friends wrote angry letters to Emperor Leo, saying the Christians had insulted the empire and killed the emperor’s chosen archbishop.

A Great Slaughter

The people of Alexandria, in their sorrow, chose Abba Timothy to be their archbishop. When the emperor heard this, he was furious.

He sent many soldiers to the city, and a terrible thing happened. The soldiers killed three thousand Christians—men, women, children, servants, and free people.

It was a dark day, caused by the work of Satan. The emperor even exiled Abba Timothy to the same island of Gagra for seven years.

Later, the emperor discovered the truth—that the Christians had not killed Abrutarius and did not know who did. Realizing his mistake, he brought back Abba Timothy, gave him honor, and restored him as archbishop in Alexandria, where he served faithfully for twenty-two years.

Salutation to those brave martyrs who died by violence.

Saint Damianus the Martyr

On this same day, we also remember Saint Damianus.

In the city of Antioch, the governor tortured him with many cruel torments. But Damianus never gave up his love for Jesus. At last, the governor ordered his head to be cut off. Saint Damianus accepted death with courage and received the crown of martyrdom in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Salutation to Damianus, the faithful workman of Jesus.

Other Holy Ones Remembered

On this day we also remember:

• Mary, the daughter of Abraham.
• Abraham, the Friend of God.

Glory to God in His Saints

The martyrs and saints teach us to be strong in faith, no matter what trials come. Their courage shines like a light for us today.

Glory be to God, who is glorified in His saints. Amen.