Caught up in the fervor of persecution associated with Emperor Maximian’s birthday, Saint Bassa and her three sons were ordered to offer sacrifice and pour out libations to the Greek gods. Her husband, a pagan priest and thrall of the idols, turned them in when they refused to do so. Like the mother of the Maccabean martyrs, Saint Bassa encouraged her children to defeat the demons that had overtaken their father by patient endurance and by offering themselves completely to Christ who was waiting to receive them. By obeying their Mother they conquered the foe and received the martyr’s crown. Their mother joining them not too long after, first having dashed the idol of Zeus into a thousand pieces by her prayer.
Hymnography
Possessing an unhesitating mind, thou didst set out to wrestle with the wily adversary, and thou didst destroy him in the deep of thy blood.
(Ode Four, First Troparion of the Martyr; Orthros Canon)
With longing we call Bassa blessed, that dove that was guileless indeed, that turtle-dove that loved God, that swallow which escaped the winter and nets of demons, soared up with her godly younglings, and nested in the Heavens, in the spiritual dominion of God.
(Ode Nine, Fourth Troparion of the Martyr; Orthros Canon)
Category: Hymnography
Posts that include hymns associated with the saint’s defeat of the demons.
Martyr Laurence the Archdeacon of Rome
When Pope Saint Sixtus was denounced and arrested under the policies of the Emperor Valerian, Saint Laurence, his deacon, wanted to join him immediately in his sufferings. But the holy Bishop put him off to administer the affairs of the Church, foretelling that he would face even greater challenges. Longing to suffer, with His Father and Christ, Laurence set about his work with haste, faithfully distributing the Church’s goods to the poor and ensuring the election of the next Pope despite the persecution the Church faced. Having completed his task, he returned to the cortege before Pope Sixtus’ martyrdom had been accomplished and took his place at his side as as the Holy Table. Having heard him speak of the treasures of the Church, the Saint was made to appear before the Emperor and ordered to reveal the location of the riches. The Holy Deacon asked for three carts, took them into the city, loaded them with the poor and the sick and the lame, and brought them back to Valerian, presenting them as the true riches of the Church. Infuriated by this display of heavenly virtue, the tyrant demanded that Laurence sacrifice to idols or suffer torture and death. The Martyr replied by saying he would never worship the impotent demons that inhabited the idols in lieu of the Creator of all. As a result, he was cast into prison and tortured until he could be interrogated twice more. Each time he returned to the prison, God granted him the grace to work countless miracles for the imprisoned faithful, encouraging them to hold fast to the Faith. Finally, being placed on a grid iron, after some time he quipped that he was done on one side and needed to be turned over, so that he could properly offer himself as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Though the flames were to him as moist as dew, he gave up his soul to the Lord as a victorious athlete and soldier of Christ.
Hymnography
Having with thee the trophy of the Cross, O wondrous Laurence, thou didst advance mightily against thine adversaries; and when thou overcamest, thou wast shown to be a crown-bearer.
(Ode Three, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Walled about with the law of the life that is in Christ, O Martyr Laurence, thou didst not incline thy mind unto the legislators of death and corruption, as thou didst sing: O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.
(Ode Seven, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Martyr Dometius of Persia
While searching for the truth about God as a young boy in Mesopotamia, a holy man who was passing through introduced Saint Dometius to the Christian Faith. That brief conversation filled him with zeal and an insatiable hunger for the Lord. He immediately entered the monastery where he skipped the refectory but devoured the Holy Scriptures. In order not to be a source of scandal or division amongst the brethren, he left for the wilderness. Along the way, he was approached by a man who offered to guide him and a group of pilgrims he had encountered to another monastery which was more suitable to his way of life. But after being led deeper into a desolate and unforgiving land of cliffs and clefts, Saint Dometius realized that they were being led astray by a demon, and he quickly drove the deceiver away by his prayers. Finally arriving at his destination, the eventual Martyr found a Spiritual Father whom he imitated with precision. Becoming a hermit, he lived in extreme asceticism till the day when, denounced to Julian the Apostate by some jealous locals, he was set upon in his cave and carried off the martyr’s crown.
Hymnography
The whole armor of the Cross didst thou put on thee with courage; and the indestructible breastplate of the Faith of Christ girded thee about. Thus wast thou terrible to the fierce battalions of the demons, whom thou dravest off wielding the dreaded scourge of thy steadfast faith and thy prayers to God; and from the demons’ wicked harm, thou didst save the wayfarers found with thee , O our righteous Father Dometius, thou servant of Christ God, Whom do thou boldly implore for us, praying in our souls behalf.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion of the Saint; Vespers)
Thou didst endure temptation furiously hurled against thee by the enemy and adversary, O all-blessed Dometius; and being tried in many ways and contending with his malice, thou didst prove the victor, O admirable Martyr.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Martyr Eusignius of Antioch
A veteran soldier who had served in the imperial army for over 50 years, Saint Eusignius was denounced to the Apostate Emperor, Julian, for being a Christian. His years of long service ensuring him a public trial, the Martyr, in imitation of the Prophet King David in the Psalms (Psalm 95 LXX) and the Holy Apostle Paul in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, revealed the Greek gods and idols to be nothing more than demons, defeating them by his utter disdain. When many soldiers who witnessed this spectacle indicated their willingness to be converted in response to the Martyr’s kingly bearing in suffering, Julian had Saint Eusignius beheaded immediately.
Hymnography
O Eusignius, thou didst prove an invincible man of war; being hedged about with the weapon of the Cross, thou wentest forth to contend against the merciless enemy; dashing him upon the ground, thou didst triumph most splendidly. Now thou hast received the bright crown of thy vic’try from the only Lord and Setter of the contest, He that is King everlastingly.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion of the Saint; Vespers)
Since thou hadst achieved humility through godly ways, O prizewinner, thou overthrewest the proud spirit of him that fell through wickedness.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
When thou foughtest in war, thou wast seen to be an invincible soldier; and when thou underwentest martyrdom, thou didst utterly destroy incorporeal adversaries.
(Ode Four, Fourth Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
With thy noble ways, thou didst establish in thy heart the understanding of the truth,, and wast not ignorant of the adversary’s devices; wherefore, when thou rannest to the conflict, thou didst destroy his battalions with the Cross as thine ally.
(Ode Six, First Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
When the demons’ servants learned that thou wast a servant of the Holy Trinity, they subjected thee to torments, prisons, and an unjust death, O all-blessed Martyr Eusignius; but they were conquered by thine invincible resistance.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
The torrents of thy blood have dried up the miry torrents of iniquity, and the rivers of godlessness, and the wicked floods of the deceiver, O Martyr; but for the faithful they are an inextinguishable sea of healings.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
By the power of Christ thou hast slain the powerless enemy, who is puffed up and vaunteth himself now truly for nought; and thou hast bowed thy neck to the stroke of the sword, O Martyr, and hast sanctified the whole earth with the flow of thy blood.
(Ode Nine, First Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
O Jesus, Son of Glory, Who hast today made bright the memorial of Thy prizewinner, by his intercessions enlighten my soul, darkened with the serpent’s deceit, I pray Thee, that I may glorify Thee as true God and the Friend of man.
(Ode Nine, Fourth Troparion of the Saint; Orthros Canon)
Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr
The Holy Protomartyr Stephen appeared to the Priest Lucian to reveal the location of his relics which had been lost. First, they were translated to the Church of Holy Sion in Jerusalem in the year 415 with many miracles attending the event. Later, they were translated to the Imperial city of Constantinople, once again, accompanied by signs and wonders. One such event was the casting out of some demons that were hiding amongst the waves of the sea in Chalcedon. When the relics passed by, the demons cried out that they were being burned by the fire of the uncreated light which radiated out from the holy relics.
Hymnography
With the light of the Spirit, thou shonest brilliantly, and with the only true wisdom, thou wast exalted, O Saint; wherefore thou didst drive away the darkness of the Jews, and didst hurl down our common foe as an athlete in the fray; hence, thou art the crown of Martyrs. Now intercede with the Lord God that He may show His mercy to our souls.
(Sessional Hymn, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou hast appeared unto the world like a beautiful daybreak, O glorious Stephen, driving off the gloom, chasing away demonic specters, and healing the sufferings of the sick and the sores of spiritual maladies, O inspired of God.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Irene of Chrysovalantou
The daughter of a noble destined for an imperial marriage, Saint Joannicius the Great prophesied that she would instead become abbess of the Monastery of Chrysovalantou. Inspired by his words, the holy woman immediately gave away all of her possessions, took the monastic veil, and devoted herself to the ascetic life. Perfect in obedience, she served her sisters as royalty, constantly meditating on Holy Scripture which was her true consolation and sustenance. Early in her monastic life she undertook the imitation of Saint Arsenius and began keeping night long vigils with he hands stretched out to heaven. Routing the demons like Israel routed the Amalekites when Moses held his arms outstretched, the Devil responded by tempting her with memories of the comfortable life that she had previously lived. Undaunted, the Saint simply redoubled her ascetic efforts, put the Devil to shame, and succeeded in subjecting the protestations of the flesh to the desire of her soul. Thus God blessed her with unfailing discernment, which she used to wisely guide the life of the monastery after becoming abbess. Despite her responsibilities, she continued to progress in the ascetic life, eating only once a week and making vigil as normal for her as sleeping was to others. She preferred to keep vigil outside in the monastery’s courtyard, and in the midst of her prayer she was taken up into the air while the cypress tress bowed down in front of this revelation of a child of God, so much like Eve in Paradise before the Fall. These night prayers became a relentless scourge to the demons who sought any means to destroy the Saint, even assaulting her physically with fire, to no avail. Once, when the Emperor was about to execute one of her kinswomen who opposed him under the possession of a demon, the Saint along with Saints Basil the Great and Anastasia Pharmacolytria appeared in their midst clothed in the uncreated Glory of God. The demon fled from this radiant theophany, the Emperor repented of his hastiness, and pledged support for her monastery. Though she lived over one hundred years, her purity of soul slowed the aging process to such a degree that she still looked as she had when she entered the monastery. In death as in life, she continues to work miracles for the faithful who cry out for her intercession.
Hymnography
Thou wast betrothed to the Immortal King as a blameless bride, O blessed Irene. Wherefore, leading a life worthy of thy calling, thou wast magnified beyond nature; for wheresoever God is present, deeds beyond nature are brought to pass. Thou didst ineffably appear to the king to reprove him; things afar off, thou foretoldest as though they were near; thou wast given to see the screts of the heart, that thou mightest lead souls to salvation; thou didst break the strength of the demons, and didst cure the sick with a word; for so doth Christ know to glorify them that glorify Him. Earnestly beseech Him to grant us peace and great mercy.
(For the Entreaty, Doxastikon; Vespers)
Rejoicing, rational dove most august, noetic nightingale and beautiful turtle-dove; escaping the snares and plottings of wicked fowlers of souls, thou didst fly on high to be at rest with God. Rejoice, pure and spotless ewe of the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ, to Whom with ardor thou didst cry, wounded with His love: Tell me, O Belov’d, where Thou makest Thy flocks to rest. Show even unto me the longed-for light of Thy countenance; let even me hear Thy sweet voice, whence floweth life in abundant streams. Entreat Him with fervor to grant pardon unto all who extol thee, O Irene.
(For the Aposticha, Second Troparion; Vespers)
Since thou possessest power over demons and the grace to heal every ill, and since thou, moreover, hast compassion that doth imitate God’s mercy for the world, O Irene, bring our burdens, our sins and sorrows before the Lord, Who doth swiftly grant that which thou dost ask.
(Ode One, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art the terror and dismay of the apostates from Heaven, who were dreadfully beleaguered and battered seeing thee ascend by prayer to that from which they fell of old; and thou dost swiftly cast them from all who flee to thy sympathy.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Through the high priest Methodius, God the Holy Spirit announced His choice of thee as the shepherdess to guide his ewes past the snares of Satan to the fold on high.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With the bitterest warfares , thou didst fight the lusts and the demons that dwell therein, wielding deadly weapons ever bright with the polish of daily use, till through toils relentless, thou foughtest through to that divine peace whereof thou art the namesake beffitingly.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Leaving all the world behind with its impermanent glory, thou wast wedded unto Christ, the King immortal and holy, bringing Him as precious dowry thy maiden beauty and thy trophies won through abstinence over demons. O Irene, our righteous Mother, entreat thy Bridegroom to show His mercy to us.
(Kontakion; Orthros Canon)
Vexed by terrible demons, they who brought thee their misery went away in joy, released from their tormentors through thy God-given power to cat out them that never cry: O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With great Basil and Lady Anastasia, thou didst rescue thy nun from madness and possession, receiving grace from god to save afflicted souls from the stroke of demons, whose profane devices thou fully hadst defeated.
(Ode Eight, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Having thy mind and thy heart on high, thou wast not moved from thy prayer when the demons set fire to thee, for a more consuming fire held thy soul in its sweet embrace. And though thy flesh had been roasted by the flame, the smell of myrrh filled the convent with its scents and thou wast soon restored by the Savior for Whose sake thou barest all that thou mightest rescue all from the eternal fire.
(For the Praises, Third Troparion; Orthros)
As an alabaster jar or myrrh, as spikenard potent and sweet, thou didst bring Christ the ceaseless sighs of thy pure and Godlike heart, with thy rivers of fervent tears, whereat the passions withdrew and demons fled, and thou becamest a spring of miracles, which even after death thou performest for thy faithful suppliants, healing soul and body and bestowing peace on all.
(For the Praises, Fourth Troparion; Orthros)
Martyr Golinduc of Persia
Though she had familial ties to the Zoroastrian religion, the Holy Martyr Golinduc was always repulsed by the worship of fire. Nevertheless, she prayed for a revelation of the True Faith, and, while she was still a pagan, she was vouchsafed a vision over the course of three days of souls in torment in Hades and another of souls rejoicing in Paradise. When she asked what she must do join those in Paradise, an angel told her that she must be baptized into Christ. Willing to stop at nothing to do so, she left her husband and parents, was catechized and then baptized into the Church. Upon returning home, she was turned into the authorities by her husband for repudiating the Mazdean religion and was thrown into prison for 18 years. But she lived those years as if it were a single day, focusing only on her love for Christ. She was granted the grace of learning first the Psalter and then the rest of Holy Scriptures by heart from other faithful Christians who she met in the prison. At the end of that time, she was delivered up to the torturers who, inspired by demons, inflicted the most heinous torturers on the Martyr to no avail. For, each night, the Lord healed her wounds. Seeing they could make no impact on her resolve they cast her into a pit that was inhabited by a dragon that was feared by all. In short order, however, Saint Golinduc had tamed the beast such that is slept each night with its head resting in her lap. After four months, they removed her from the pit and had her installed in a house of ill-repute, but she was rendered invisible to any who entered in the hopes of defiling her. Having proven utterly victorious, she was finally released from prison and exiled. Thankful for her freedom, she nevertheless offered up a prayer of lament for not having been counted worthy of the crown of martyrdom. In response, the Lord sent an angel to her who gently wounded her neck with a sword causing blood to issue forth. The angel then told her that the Lord considered that wound in addition to he sufferings to have been her martyrdom. From thenceforth she became known as the Living Martyr, and she was revered wherever she went. One day, when she nearly received communion from some Monophysite disciples of Sergius of Antioch, an angel granted her a vision of two chalices, one that held the bitter darkness of Hades from her first vision, and a second that held the warm glow of paradise. Through this and other such visions, she became a sign and firm support for the true faith to those around her.
Hymnography
Through divine instruction, thou by faith camest to know Christ our God, Who abode with those on the earth; and enlightened in the eyes of thy mind, stately Golinduc, thou didst set forth straightway, bold and unafraid, to join in battle with unseen enemies, whose brazen insolence thou didst utterly destroy; wherefore, the Lord, He that is supremely good, crowned thee with vict’ry’s crowns.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
Thou didst keep thy mind unhurt and whole while thou wast suffering wounds in confinement of many years; and, O Martyr, having been cast down into the lowest pit to pine and languish therein for many days, thou wast sustained with imperishable food; and though there dwelt with thee a pernicious dragon, thou wast never touched by its harm, O glorious prizewinner of the Lord.
(Lord, I have cried, Third Troparion of the Martyr; Vespers)
They who are guided by thee unto the Lord, O all-lauded Golinduc, have not their feet caught in the enemy’s meshes, but they trip up his ways by the Divine Spirit.
(Ode Four, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Showing diligence to be released from the confusion of passions and from treacherous delusion, O Martyr, thou didst suffer bonds with joy, binding with them all the error of the destroyer.
(Ode Four, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Christ the Lord gave thee strength to endure torments and wicked tortures, through which thou hast undone all the enemy’s devices, O wonder-worthy maiden.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
With joy thou abodest in a dark and very deep pit, O venerable Golinduc, like the wondrous Daniel, being with a dragon which reverenced thee, recognizing in thee a Martyr of the sufferings of Christ.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Longing for the almighty gave thee wings, O admirable Martyr, and thou flewest above all the snares of the adversary as a dove of Christ, and wast united unto God.
(Ode Eight, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Hieromartyr Pancratius of Taormina
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)
Great Martyr Procopius of Caesarea
As he was on his way from Alexandria at the head of an army sent out to persecute Christians who refused to follow the edicts of Diocletian, Saint Procopius had his own Damascus Road experience when Christ Jesus spoke to him from out of an unexpected lightning storm. When he responded with humility and repentance, the Lord revealed the Gospel to him and, like a new Constantine, he was told that he would conquer by the sign of the cross as a new chosen vessel of grace. After a jeweler had crafted a silver cross in the fashion of the one that had appeared in the sky, three names appeared on it, inscribed by the finger of God — Emmanuel, Michael, and Gabriel. Thus, it was by the power of the crucified and risen Lord, along with the two Holy Archangels who were ever with him, that Saint Procopius became a terror to the enemies of mankind. Having won a great military victory, he ascribed his success to the power of Christ and was denounced to the Emperor. Hating to lose such a sharp sword, the Governor of Caesarea (Diocletian’s designee in the matter), said that all would be forgiven if he offered sacrificed to the idols. When he refused, he was beaten severely and thrown into prison, but the Lord appeared to him again with his angelic protectors to heal him and free him from his bonds. He also gave him a new name, Procopius (“progress”), encouraging him to continue progressing toward the Kingdom through perseverance, no matter what the servants of the demons devised for him. On his next appearance before the Governor, the Saint asked to be taken to the temple so that he could honor them as they deserved. The prideful Governor was overjoyed assuming himself to be victorious, and he invited the public to come witness the Saint’s return to the imperial cult. But, when Saint Procopius arrived in the temple, he offered a simple prayer, made the sign of the cross, and the idols were immediately reduced to dust. Enraged by his public humiliation and the conversions to Christianity that resulted, the Governor had the Saint returned to his prison where he was tortured and interrogated. In the midst of his sufferings, he cast out a demon from a small child indicating that, like Christ Jesus, he was submitting himself to torture voluntarily to make of himself an offering to the Lord. His steadfast endurance amazed all who saw it, including the authorities, but hardening their hearts too all the miracles they witnessed, they finally had the Holy Martyr beheaded.
Hymnography
Raising thyself up as a temple and monument of the Divine Spirit, and breathing godly zeal, thou brakest in pieces the temples and lifeless idols of the demons, O Martyr Procopius.
(Ode Three, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou didst put off the coats of skin when thou wast scraped; and thou hast put on the robe of incorruption, O Martyr Procopius, and hast stripped the wily one naked.
(Ode Three, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Since thou hast received from on high the grace of healing, O Martyr, thou drivest away diseases and dost chase away evil spirits, while crying out: Blessed art Thou, O my God and Lord.
(Ode Seven, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Thou art become a fountain of miracles, pouring forth rivers of healings, ending the burning heat of sufferings, and sinking in the deep of demons’ battalions by the almighty divine power of the Spirit, O admirable Procopius.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
While yet young in years, thou, like the marvelous Paul, didst receive the divine gift from the highest, and with the whole armor of the Cross thou didst cast down the arrogance of the cunning adversary. O glory if Martyrs, prizewinner Procopius, entreat the Lord for us, that our souls be saved.
(For the Praises, Second Troparion; Orthros)
Having like Paul received thy calling from God, by thy trust in the Cross, thou didst manfully put to shame the impiety of the tyrants and the harshness of the torments. Wherefore, thou didst resist sin even unto blood, striving against invisible enemies; and thou intercedest unceasingly with God our redeemer, that peace be granted unto the world and great mercy to our souls.
(For the Praises, Doxastikon; Orthros)
Thomas of Mount Maleon
A celebrated general in the world, Saint Thomas left behind his accolades and plaudits to enlist in the army of the Lord as a monastic. Patterning himself after the Elijah the Tishbite, he was guided by the Holy Prophet and his chariot of fire to Mount Maleon where he immersed himself in the ascetic life. Standing like a fiery in pillar in prayer, the Lord illumined him with the uncreated light which burnt away the passions in the Saint and drove off the demons that had infested the countryside. Even after death he continued to provide healing of both soul and body for those who venerated his relics by means of a fragrant myrrh that flowed from his tomb.
Hymnography
We know thee truly to be a divinely shining light that maketh bright the whole world with clear spiritual splendors, cutting through the gloom of the wicked distress and confusion which demons wreak; wherefore, O blest Father Thomas, we celebrate thy bright memory with fervent faith.
(Lord, I have cried, First Troparion; Vespers)
Thou wast eminent in life, O Father, winning innumerable trophies against the barbarians; and becoming a monk in all righteousness, thou didst sorely wound the troops of demons.
(Ode One, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Wrestling with the enemy in thine asceticism, O righteous Thomas, with the Divine Spirit as ally thou broughtest him low, and thou hast received from Heaven the crown of victory.
(Ode One, Doxastikon; Orthros Canon)
By the power of Christ supplying sight to the blind, swiftness to the lame, deliverance to the possessed, and healing to the sick, O Father Thomas, thou didst cry: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.
(Ode Seven, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)