Apostle Timothy Anastasios the Hieromartyr of Persia Departure of St. Archilidis (Arselidas) Departure of St. Maximus, Brother of St. Domatius

Apostle Timothy

Timothy was of the Seventy Apostles, and his teachers were the Apostle Paul and later John the Theologian. He witnessed Paul's healing of the man lame from birth. Timothy traveled to many cities with Paul and himself spread the word and made strong the faith as bishop of Ephesus. He was killed by pagans, and his body is buried next to the Apostles Luke and Andrew in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Anastasios the Hieromartyr of Persia

Magundat, his Persian name at the time, was a magician and the son of a magician. When the Persians plundered Jerusalem in the seventh century and stole the Holy Cross, Magundat, then a soldier, saw the Holy Cross and heard the Christian lessons. He went to a church and asked about the lives of the saints in the icons. He went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and met Patriarch Modestos 11 and was baptized Anastasios by him. He became a monk at the monastery of St. Anastasios, studied Greek, and learned the Psalter by heart. He was the gardener and cook and memorized the lives of the saints. He lived there seven years and then had a vision that he was called to be a martyr. He secretly left the monastery and went to several churches, praying to the Theotokos to show him his way. He saw a Persian magician and chastised him, saying he was once the same. He was jailed and taken before their judge and was asked to deny Jesus Christ. He refused clearly and was beaten, chained, and made to carry heavy rocks. He would not leave off his prayer rule at night. A vision was seen by the jailers one night showing Anastasios in the company of two other celebrants, all three dressed in white. He was given permission to attend the church service of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, and the Christians reverently kissed his wounds. When he was being transferred to another city, Christians would all come to pay him respect. He was marched to a river and there strangled with seventy other Christians. His last words were that he desired a bitter and grievous death and that this was not very painful. His head was removed and taken to the Persian king, Chosroes, as proof of his death. He had prophesied that the king would be deposed and ordered killed by his own son within a few days of his own death, and this came to pass.

Departure of St. Archilidis (Arselidas)

On this day, the Church commemorates the departure of St. Archilidis. He was born in the city of Rome. His parents John and Sinclatiki were righteous before the Lord and they obeyed all of His commandments.

His father died when he was twelve years old. When his mother wanted him to get married, he declined. She then asked him to go to the Emperor to take over his father`s position. She sent him with two of their men and a precious gift to the Emperor. On their way to the Emperor, he encountered a tempest in the sea with high waves and strong winds and the boat broke down.

The saint attached himself to one of the ship's planks and God saved him from drowning. When he arrived at the seashore, he found the body of a dead man that the waves carried to shore. Then he reflected on the world and he said to himself, "What do I profit when I die and become dust?." He rose and prayed to the Lord Jesus to guide him in the right way".

Then he walked until be arrived at the monastery of St. Romanus. He gave the abbot all the money that he had. He stayed there living an ascetic life until he reached a level of perfection. The Lord granted him the gift healing the sick. He made a solemn oath not to see the face of a woman for the rest of his life.

Meanwhile, his mother did not know anything about him and thought that he had died. She built a hostel for the poor and the strangers and she lived in one of its rooms.

One day she heard two merchants talking about her son, his holy monastic life and the grace of God that was upon him. She arose quickly and went to the monastery. When she arrived, the saint was informed of her presence. He answered saying that he had made an oath before God not to see any woman. She repeated her request to see him and threatened that if he did not allow her to see him, she would go to the wilderness to be eaten by wild beasts.

When he learned of her persistence, and that he could not renege on his oath, he prayed to the Lord to take his soul. He asked the gate keeper to allow his mother to come in while God had answered his request.

When his mother entered his cell, she found that he had given up his soul. She cried and wept and asked God to take her soul also and God answered her request.

When they tried to carry the two bodies away, they heard a voice coming from his body saying, "Let my body lie beside that of my mother because I did not grant her heart's own desire to see me." They burried both of them in one grave. God honored this saint in performing many miracles.

Departure of St. Maximus, Brother of St. Domatius

On this day also, we commemorate the departure of St. Maximus, the brother of St. Domitius. They were the sons of Emperor Walendianus.

Glory be to God forever. Amen.