A direct disciple of the Apostle Peter, the Holy Hieromartyr became the scourge of idols and the demons who dwelt animated and dwelt within them. Traveling with the Prince of the Apostles on his missionary journeys, he was consecrated as Bishop of Taormina in Sicily. As soon as he stepped foot on those shores, the bloodthirsty demons that inhabited the idol of the local God, Falcon, cried out in terror and attempted to hide themselves. Hearing this, the Saint called on the Name of Christ Jesus and made the sign of the Cross with his staff, and the statue with its demons were hurled into the sea. Inspired by this miracle of deliverance, the locals quickly built a Church in the city. As Saint Pancratius celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church for the first time, all of the remaining idols in the city were utterly destroyed. Fearing this to be a sign of their god’s displeasure, the pagan priests began to inquire as to what was was required of them. A demon who called himself Lysson told them that they had been rendered completely powerless by the Most High God that Saint Pancratius had been proclaiming. Despairing, the pagans decided to sacrifice to a local official to strengthen their false gods. When Saint Pancratius had been warned about their plan, he went out to meet them vested as for the Divine Liturgy and holding a blessing cross. Blinded by the radiance of Christ that shone from the Hieromartyr, the pagan priests fell to the ground. The Saint ordered the demon Lysson into the abyss, and he killed a great serpent that had been feeding of the blood of human sacrifices with the invincible weapon of the Cross. Seeing that they could not face the Saint directly, the demons decided to attack others in an attempt to undermine their confidence in the God of Pancratius. They inspired a certain follower of the heretic Montanus to cast a spell on a young virgin with evil intent, but her faith having been strengthened by Hieromartyr’s teachings, it proved impotent. Ever a bane to the idols, when he threw down yet another pagan statue at a governmental banquet, the pagan priests threw themselves on the Bishop and beath him so severely that he received the martyr’s crown. Afterwards, a Church was built in his honor, and he remains the protector of the city to this day.
Hymnography
When thou by thy word hadst put to flight foul and wicked spirits of evil, then by the Good Spirit’s grace thou didst make men spiritual, O wise Pancratius; and on tilling the furrows of their hearts, O blest Martyr, thou didst sow the God-bestowed and saving seed in them; whom thou didst then offer to Christ God, the Celestial Husbandman, ever interceding for those praising thee with faith.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Strengthened by the Spirit, thou didst cast out evil spirits; and levelling the temples of the idols with the bar of thy prayers, thou didst erect churches, O praiseworthy Pancratius.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thy life, shining bright as lightning with the divine beauty, cast into darkness the assaults of all demons; and dissolving the darkness of godlessness, thou madest those who with longing were obedient unto thy teachings to be sons of the day.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With thy blood thou didst redden they sacred vestments and didst dry up demons’ gore, and thou wast taken up in triumph into the Heavens to receive the crown of victory.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The truly unbreakable Rock set thee as a foundation and unbreakable support of the sacred Church, O wise revealer of sacred things, upon which every evil of the infantile enemy is dashed.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Knowing that the honor shown to the image passeth over to the prototype, O glorious one, thou didst everywhere set up the immaculate icon of Jesus our God, unto the destruction of the demons’ effigies.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Category: 1st Century (+)
Indicates saints who died in the 1st Century.
Apostle Carpus of the Seventy
One of the Seventy and a disciple of the Saint Paul, Saint Carpus is mentioned in Holy Scripture as having held a cloak for the Apostle to the Nations (2 Timothy 4:13). A successful evangelist in his own right and zealous for the Truth, he was made Bishop of Beroea in Thrace after having converted many pagans to the faith. In that capacity, God gave him the grace to work miracles and cast out demons, and, as a result, there was always a continuous stream of people coming to Holy Baptism.
Hymnography
Nerved with divine power, O Apostle, thou didst destroy the dragon that spake blasphemy to the uttermost, and didst save them that were perishing because of him.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark
During his missionary journeys in Egypt, the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the author of the Gospel that bears his name, cast out a demon from a blind child. Overcome with joy, the child’s parents wanted to pay Saint Mark for his services, but he instructed them to give it in alms instead. This miracle of deliverance resulted in many converts to the faith, and, as a result, a church was founded in the city. Continuing his journey, he eventually arrived in Libya where he heard about a woman who had recently died after having been tormented by a demon since childhood. The woman was restored to life by his prayer, and this, too, resulted in many converts to the faith.
Hymnography
Once Thou modest upon the arms of the Virgin and showiest to destruction the demon-altars of Egypt; and then again Thou sestets Mark thither, to give all men understanding of Thine Incarnation and divine mystery, O my Christ.
(Ode Three, Theotokion, Orthros Canon)
When thou becomes a disciple of the Chief Apostle, and with him didst preach Christ as the Son of God, thou modest steadfast on the rock of truth them that were storm-tossed with error. On this rock make me steadfast also, and guide the steps of my soul aright; that, being delivered from the snares of the enemy, I may glorify thee without hindrance. For thou hast enlightened all men, O wise Mark, by preaching the Gospel of divine renown.
(Oikos, Orthros Canon)