St. Synkletike

St. Synkletike lived in A.D. 340 and was descended from a family which was glorious and famous due to their wealth and piety. Because she was beautiful and rich, many men asked to marry her. But the blessed woman was more inclined to the desire and love of God. So, having completely left the worldly cares aside, she turned herself to the careful exercise and application of virtue.

She departed to God through the theory of the mind (i.e. seeing Him mentally). At the end of her life, the tempter asked from God to be allowed to hurt her with a bodily disease, as he had also done with righteous Job. But this courageous woman always kept virtue and asceticism accurately and faithfully, although she was eighty years old.

Martyrdom of Abba Bisadi (Psote) the Bishop

On this day, we commemorate the martyrdom of St. Bisadi, the Bishop of Ebsay.

When Emperor Diocletian heard that the two Bishops, Abba Bisadi and Abba Ghellanicus, were confirming Christians in their faith and obstructing the worship of idols he sent someone to bring them before him. Abba Bisadi asked the messenger to allow him one more night. He went to the church, called his people, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and gave them Holy Communion. He commanded them to keep firm in their Orthodox Faith. Then he bade them farewell and submitted himself to the Lord.

He went with the messenger to Arianus the Governor of Ansena, and when the latter saw his illumined face and his dignity, he had compassion upon him and said, "You are a man of great dignity and you should have pity upon yourself and obey the command of the Emperor." He replied, "It is impossible for me to replace the kingdom of heaven with this temporal life."

After a lengthy discussion between them, the Governor ordered him to be tortured and then be thrown in a very hot water bath. God preserved him and raised him unharmed without pain. The Governor then ordered him beheaded and he was granted the crown of the life in the kingdom of heaven.

Glory be to God forever. Amen.