March

Synaxarion
This month has thirty-one days with twelve hours of day and twelve
hours of night.

March 1
Memory of the holy Martyr Eudocia
(beginning of the Second century)
A native of Heliopolis in Phoenicia, Saint Eudocia lived in
the times of Emperor Trajan (98-117). At first she led a
licentious life, enticed a large number of men to evil by her
rare beauty, and amassed riches of great value. Having
heard a certain Germanus, a monk, speak on religion and
repentance, she was converted to Christ and baptized by
Bishop Theodotos, thus obeying celestial apparitions which
were made to her. Enraptured in ecstasy one day, she saw
herself led to heaven by an angel. The heavenly spirits
rejoiced over her conversion but a black creature with a
terrible glance moaned and cried out that it was unjust to
deliver such a sinner. After having distributed her goods to
the poor, the Saint retired to a monastery and there
practiced all the ascetical exercises. She was brought before
Emperor Adrian (117- 138), accused by the very ones
whom she had formerly corrupted. Working miracles and
curing the Emperor's son, she converted the latter to the
Christian faith. Some time later she was again obliged to
appear before Diogenes, the governor of Heliopolis, but her
miracles gave her another release. Finally she was
beheaded under Vicentius, Diogenes' successor.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 2
Memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Theodotos,
Bishop of Cyrene in Cyprus (+ca. 321)

Saint Theodotos lived under Emperor Licinius and Sibinus,

the governor of Cyprus. Led before the governor for
Christ's faith, he was cruelly beaten with ox ligaments.
Then he was suspended and stretched across an iron
bedstead heated in the fire. As he remained there unhurt,
nails were driven into his feet and he was finally delivered
when the persecution ended. He died two years later.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 3
Memory of the holy Martyrs Eutropios,
Cleonicos, and Basiliskos (?)
Natives of Cappadocia, these holy martyrs were comrades
in arms and relatives of the holy martyr Theodore. They
lived under Emperor Maximian (285-305). They were
brought before President Asclepiodotus and beaten so
cruelly that the executioners themselves were exhausted.
Saint Eutropios was slapped on the mouth for having
offended the President. These holy martyrs were cured of
their wounds by an apparition of Our Lord and Saint
Theodore. Amazed by such a miracle, a large number of
pagans believed in Christ and were beheaded. Then,
changing his method, the President tried to lead Saint
Cleonicos to repudiate the Christian faith by flattery and
promises. Far from allowing himself to be corrupted, the
Saint drew himself up bravely and laughed at the
President's stupidity and the idols' powerlessness. These
holy martyrs turned over Artemis' statue by their prayers.
Then they were plunged into three caldrons of boiling wax
and pitch, but they were left unharmed. Finally, Saints
Eutropios and Cleonicos were crucified. Saint Basiliskos
was thrown into prison and died there a year later, on May
22.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 4
Memory of our venerable Father Gerasimos of Jordan
(+475)
A native of Lycia, this holy father was consecrated to God
from his infancy by his Christian parents. He was raised in

the exercises of monastic life inside a coenobium.

Becoming an adult, at first he withdrew to the most solitary
places in his country. He went to Jerusalem around 451.
After having venerated the Holy Places, he withdrew to
Jordan and lived as an anchorite in the deserts near the
Dead Sea. At the time of the Council of Chalcedon, he and
the other anchorites in the desert adhered to the Aposchite
sect. By Saint Euthymius' exhortations he adhered to the
dogma defined by the holy Council. In 455 he founded a
laura with a coenobium at its center in the desert of Jordan.
He stipulated that beginners remain in the coenobium and
that those more advanced live separately in cells, each one
spending the first five weekdays in his cell but coming to
the church on Saturdays and Sundays to receive Holy
Communion and to partake in the common meal in the
coenobium. He died on March 5, 475, at the beginning of
Emperor Zeno's reign. His laura which had no less than
seventy anchorites was destroyed around the Tenth century.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 5
Memory of the holy Martyr Conon the Isaurian (+275)
A native of Nazareth, Galilee, Saint Conon lived in the
times of Emperor Decius (249-251). He went to Magydus
in Pamphylia and lived in a place called Karmena where
the peacefully cultivated his garden and plants, his only
means of support. He was a very simple-mannered man.
Those who came to seize him amused themselves in
greeting him. The Saint replied simply to their greeting.
When they informed him that President Publius asked for
him, he answered: "What does he require of me who am a
Christian? Let him call his co-religionists then!" He was
seized and dragged before the President who ordered him
to sacrifice to idols. The Saint sighed profoundly, answered
the President sharply, and reaffirmed his wish to remain a
Christian. Then iron nails were driven into his feet and he
was compelled to run before a chariot. Growing weak
before long, he fell on his knees and gave up his soul in
prayer.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 6

Memory of the Forty-two Holy Martyrs of Amorium

(+848):
Theodore, Constantine, Callistos, Theophilos,
Bassoi and their companions.
These holy martyrs of noble birth were led as captives to
Irenopolis (Baghdad), when Amorium, then the metropolis
of Second Galatia, fell into the hands of Caliph al-Mutasim
on September 24, 838. Under Iconoclast Emperor
Theophilos they occupied the high positions of
commanding officers and military leaders. Threats,
promises, long tortures, and imprisonments were not able to
lead them to betray Christ. Refusing with courage to
disown the Christian faith, they were beheaded on March 6,
848, under Caliph al-Mutawakkil.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 7
Memory of the holy Hieromartyrs Ephrem, Basil,
Eugene, Agathodoros, Caption, Etherios,
and Elpidios, Bishops of Cherson (?)
In the times of Emperor Diocletian, two bishops were sent
out by Hermon, the Bishop of Jerusalem, to preach the
faith-Ephrem to Scythia and Basil to Cherson. When Basil
had announced Christ, he was beaten and expelled from the
territory. Having brought the son of the leader of that
territory back to life, he was recalled and allowed to baptize
the leader and a large number of his subjects. Nevertheless
the infidels revolted, tying him up and dragging him by the
feet until he expired. After him, Eugene, Agathodoros,
Caption, and Elpidios came to announce Christ, but the
pagans again revolted and massacred them. Then Saint
Etherios was sent from Jerusalem. Upon seeing the
savagery of these tribes, he went to Constantinople to ask
Emperor Constantine's support. Thanks to him, he was able
to expel the idolators from Cherson and build a church
there. The Saint returned once more to Constantinople to
thank the Emperor. He was very thrown by a violent wind
into the mouth of the Danapris River and perished in it.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 8

Memory of our venerable Father and Confessor

Theophylaktos,
Metropolitan of Nicomedia (+845).
Famous throughout the whole East, Saint Theophylaktos
went to Constantinople and was put into the service of
Saint Tarasios who was First Imperial Secretary at that
time. Elected Patriarch in 787, Saint Tarasios built a
monastery in Hieron at the entrance of Pontus Euxinus into
which he admitted Theophylaktos and Michael of Synnada.
He subsequently consecrated Michael, Metropolitan of
Synnada, and Theophylaktos, Metropolitan of Nicomedia.
Saint Tarasios died in 806. Becoming Emperor in 813, Leo
the Armenian made war against the Holy Icons and in 815
exiled Theophylaktos to the island of Strobilus. He died
there in 845, after thirty years of difficult sufferings. When
the heresy ceased many years later during the patriarchate
of Saint Methodius (843-847), the Saint's body was brought
back from exile and buried in Nicomedia in a church which
the Saint had built.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 9
Memory of the Forty Holy Martyrs who
Bore Witness in the City of Sebastea (+322 or 323).
Natives of different countries, but all serving in the same
legion, these holy martyrs suffered in Sabastea, Armenia,
under Emperor Licinius about 322-323. Having confessed
the Christian faith, they were seized and subjected to
interrogation. Upon their refusal to sacrifice to idols, they
were put in chains, imprisoned, and sentenced by the head
of the army to be exposed nude in the middle of a frozen
lake near the city during a winter night. In the morning they
were still alive.
Their legs were broken, and so they obtained their crown of
martyrdom. Loaded then on chariots, they were thrown into
a fire and their ashes were thrown into the river.
This Third Class Feast occurs from the Wednesday of the first week of
Great Lent (Easter on April 25) until the Monday of Great Week
(Easter on March 22).

In occurrence with fast days, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is

celebrated with the Vespers of March 10. Entrance with the Gospel
Book. Epistle and Gospel of the Forty Holy Martyrs. Kinonikon of the
Forty Holy Martyrs.
In occurrence with the first Saturday of Great Lent: Typika and
Beatitudes. Troparia: of the Forty Holy Martyrs, of Saint Theodore,
and of the Church Patron. Ordinary Kondakion. Epistle of the Forty
Holy Martyrs, Gospel from the Triodion. Ordinary Hirmos. Kinonikon
of the Forty Holy Martyrs.
In occurrence with a Sunday of Great Lent: Antiphons on the first and
third Sundays; otherwise, Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia: of the
Resurrection, of the Triodion, of the Forty Holy Martyrs, and of the
Church Patron. Kondakion of March 25. Epistle of the Forty Holy
Martyrs, Gospel from the Triodion. Kinonikon of the Sunday (on the
third Sunday, the Kinonikon of the Cross is said). On the third Sunday,
after Communion, the Troparion of the Cross.
In occurrence with a Saturday of Great Lent, only the Forty Holy
Martyrs are commemorated.
In occurrence with Akathist Saturday: Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia:
of the Akathist, of the Forty Holy Martyrs, and of the Church Patron.
Kondakion of the Akathist. Epistle of the Forty Holy Martyrs, Gospel
from the Triodion. Hirmos and Kinonikon of the Akathist.

March 10
Memory of the holy Martyr Quadratus of Corinth
and his companions (+258).
Natives of Corinth, these holy martyrs lived under
Emperors Decius and Valerian, and Jason, the Governor of
Greece.
Having lost his mother in childhood, Saint Quadratus was
helped from on high...Perfect and virtuous, although a
child, he helped his young companions who associated with
him to sanctify themselves also. He surpassed them all and
taught them truth. After some time, because of Christ's
faith, they were accused and arrested by the idolaters.
Cruelly beaten and tortured in every way, they were
beheaded.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 11

Memory of our Father among the Saints Sophronios,

Archbishop of Jerusalem (550-638).
Saint Sophronios was born of pious and wise parents in
Damascus, about 550. Gifted with good natural qualities,
he was instructed in all the secular and religious literatures.
Around 578, he went to Saint Theodosius' laura under
Archimandrite George. From there he went to Alexandria,
Egypt. Always aspiring for greater knowledge, he met the
famous John Moschos and was able to thus realize his
desire. The two friends mutually communicated their
knowledge. Sophronios became a monk in Egypt in 580.
He again went to Saint Theodosius' laura. Accompanied by
John Moschus, he traveled all over Palestine and Syria
from 600 to 606. At the time of the Persian invasion of
Palestine in 606, he fled to Alexandria where he was healed
of an eye disease by Saints Cyrus and John. To show his
gratitude, he wrote down all the miracles worked by them.
After the capture of the Holy City by the Persians in 614,
he left for Rome with John Moschus who died there. In
619, Sophronios returned to Saint Theodosius' laura with
the remains of his friend and teacher. When Palestine was
delivered by Emperor Heraclius in 628, he left again for
Alexandria with Saint John the Almsgiver. With Saint
Maximos the Confessor, he courageously denounced the
Monothelite heresy. He was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem
in 634 for his knowledge and great virtue. After the flight
of the Roman army, he tried in vain to save the Holy City.
He had to surrender it to Caliph Omar I in 637. He wrote
many works and governed his flock so well that he was
regarded as the mouth of Christ. He died on March 11, 638.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 12
Memory of our venerable Father and
Confessor Theophanes of Sigriana (+817).
Saint Theophanes' parents, Isaac and Theodota, were as
pious as they were rich. Upon her husband's death,
Theodota undertook the education of her son. Married
when he was twelve years old, Theophanes persuaded his
wife to remain a virgin. He made her enter the monastery of
Pringuipou. After distributing his goods to the poor, he
embraced monastic life on Mount Sigriana in the Great

Agros, on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus, now called

Koursiounlou by the Turks. The Iconoclast Emperor Leo
the Armenian, raised to the throne of Constantinople in
813, pursued the Saint. He summoned him to
Constantinople and called upon him to join his heresy.
Upon his refusal he was thrown into prison. He was exiled
to Samothrace where he died some time after in 817.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 13
Translation of the relics of our Father among the Saints,
Nicephoros, Archbishop of Constantinople (847)
Saint Nicephoros is commemorated on June 2. The
translation of his relics to the Church of the Holy Apostles
in Constantinople took place on March 13, 847, under
Patriarch Saint Methodius, the pious Empress Theodora,
and Emperor Michael III.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 14
Memory of our venerable Father Benedict (ca. 480-547)
Saint Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, about 480. Around
the year 500, he abandoned all his paternal riches and his
parents to withdraw in solitude. At first he went to Enfida,
then to Subiaco where, drawing nearer to God by virtue and
ascetic exercises, he obtained from Him the gift of miracles
and healing. His example gave rise to numerous imitators.
This is why he built a monastery on Monte Cassino in
Campania and inaugurated a new kind of monastic life for
which he himself determined the rules and practices. He
was thus called by the just title of Teacher and Patriarch of
Western Monks. He died in peace about 547. Part of his
body is found at Monte Cassino and another part in France.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 15

Memory of the holy Martyr Agapios and his seven

companions (+304)
These holy martyrs lived under Emperors Diocletian and
Maximian. Agapios' native land in unknown. Timolaos was
from Pontus, and Dionysius was from Tripolis, Phoenicia.
Romylos was a subdeacon of the Church of Diospolis. Two
others, Paesis and Alexander, were Egyptians. As for the
seventh, named Alexander, he was a native of Gaza.
Chaining their souls to Christ's love, they spontaneously
bound their hands with chains and presented themselves to
Urban, the Governor of Palestine, publicly declaring
themselves as Christians. After having tried in vain by all
sorts of threats and promises to make them give up the
Christian faith, the governor ordered that they be beheaded
on March 24, 304.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 16
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Sabinos the Egyptian
(+303 or 304)
Saint Sabinos was a native of Egypt. Under the threat of
persecution he had left his home, parents, riches, and all the
goods of the world in order to hide with some other
Christians outside of the city in a small retreat. The
idolaters arrested many Christians, but they particularly
looked for Sabinos and were grieved not being able to find
him. A beggar, who had gone in search of food close by the
Saint, presented himself and said to them: "What will you
give me if I deliver Sabinos to you?" They gave him two
coins, followed him, and were able to seize the Saint in his
hiding place. They bound him and led him to the President,
who asked him: "Why did you despise the order of the
Emperors and great gods and adore an unknown God?" The
Saint answered: "I rather announce a God that you yourself
must confess." Then after many tortures the Saint was
thrown into the river where he was drowned.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 17

Memory of our venerable Father Alexis, the Man of

God (Fourth or Fifth century).
Saint Alexis was born in Rome of noble and wealthy
parents, who had given him in marriage. At the time he was
to meet his young spouse, he fled from his paternal home
and went to Edessa. There he withdrew to the church
dressed in rags and kept his name and origin from
everyone. He lived in this manner, asking alms and passing
the whole night to the dawn of the following day in prayer
with his hands raised toward heaven. Questioned by the
sacristan he revealed the whole truth to him with an oath.
Sometime later the man of God, as he was called, fell sick
and committed his soul to God in the city's poor house. He
was buried with strangers. Informed by the sacristan,
Rabboula (412-435), the Bishop of Edessa surrounded the
holy relic with great honors. In the process of time the
anonymous Saint was called Alexis. In 977, Sergius, the
Metropolitan of Damascus, left his see and took refuge in
Rome close to Pope Benedict VII. He received from him
Saint Boniface's Church on Aventine Hill where he built a
monastery in honor of Saints Boniface and Alexis. At that
time it was told how Saint Alexis had returned from Edessa
to Rome and how he had lived unknown in his father's
home as Saint John the Hut-Dweller had done, as Saint
Joseph the Hymnographer relates in today's canon.
Fifth Class Feast.

18) Memory of our Father among the Saints Cyril,

Archbishop of Jerusalem (between 313 and 315-387).
Saint Cyril was born in Jerusalem, or the vicinity, around
313-315. He was instructed in secular and religious
knowledge. Saint Maximos, the Bishop of Jerusalem,
ordained him to the priesthood. In 348, he delivered his
twenty-five catecheses, rightly regarded as the oldest and
most methodical summary of Christian doctrine. In the
same year he was elected to succeed Maximos in the see of
Jerusalem and canonically received the imposition of hands
from the bishops of his province. Around the year 357 or
358, owing to Akakios' intrigues, the Arian Metropolitan of
Caesaresea, Palestine, he was exiled to Tarsus. He regained
his see at the Synod of Seleucia in 359. After the Synod of
Constantinople in 360, he was exiled again until 362.
Finally, supported by Saint Meletios, the Archbishop of
Antioch, he again returned to his episcopal city at the death

of Arian Emperor Constantius. When Julian the Apostate

"ordered Solomon's Temple to be hastily rebuilt at the
expense of the public treasury, recalling the prophet
Daniel's word, confirmed by Our Lord, the Saint publically
announced that the time had come, according to our
Savior's word, when stone would not remain upon stone of
this Temple. Actually, an earthquake occurred during the
night which threw the stones of the ancient foundations into
the air and dispersed them as well as the surrounding
dwellings." Saint Cyril was exiled a third time by the Arian
Emperor Valens in 367. He regained his throne at the
Emperor's death in 378. He was one of the holy fathers of
the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381.
He died in 387.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 19
Memory of the holy Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria
(+283)
These holy martyrs suffered in Rome under Emperor
Valerian in 283. Their bodies were discovered a long time
afterwards by Pope Saint Damascus I (366-384). One of his
successors Stephen VI (885-891), deposited their holy
relics in the Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James
in the Lateran near the Forum of Trajan.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 20
Memory of our Venerable Fathers Massacred
in the Laura of Saints Sabbas (+796)
These holy monks were serving God in a holy manner in
the laura of Saint Sabbas when the Arabs attacked them
hoping for rich booty in 796. Finding nothing in the laura,
they turned their rage against the monks, beheading some,
cutting others to pieces, piercing them with their spears,
scattering their entrails, and killing them by other different
tortures.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 21
Memory of our venerable Father James the Confessor,
Bishop of Catana (+under Leo the Armenian, 813-820)
Saint James embraced monastic life in early childhood and
sanctified himself by fasting and other austerities.
Becoming Bishop of Catana, he had to suffer numerous
persecutions from the Iconoclasts whom he fought. He died
of starvation after generously suffering for the faith under
Leo the Armenian (813-820).
Fifth Class Feast.

March 22
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Basil,
Priest of the Church of Ancyra (+363)
Saint Basil suffered martyrdom in 363 under Julian the
Apostate and Saturninus, the Governor of Ancyra. He was
denounced to the governor and made to appear before him.
After questioning, he was suspended from a pole and his
sides were rasped. He was thrown into prison. Before long
he was taken out and tortured still more violently. Bound in
chains, he was then again locked up in prison. When Julian
the Apostate passed through Ancyra some days later, the
Saint was brought before him and submitted to another
interrogation. Then the Emperor delivered him over to
which he did at once...The Saint committed his soul to God
in the midst of the tortures.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 23
Memory of the holy Hosiomartyr Nikon and his
disciples (+273)
Born of a Christian mother and a pagan father in the region
of Naples, Saint Nikon lived in the time of President
Quintianus. He had a very handsome appearance and
extraordinarily beautiful eyes. Enlisted in the army, one day
he found himself in great danger. He cried out: "Jesus
Christ, my mother's God, come to my assistance." Having
made the sign of the Cross, he rushed forward toward the

enemy, wounding some of them with his sword and

pushing others back with his lance. He did not stop until he
had defeated them and put all the enemies to flight. He
returned home amidst general admiration. He revealed his
plan to his mother and embarked in the direction of
Constantinople. Arriving at the island of Chio, he withdrew
to a hill and remained there seven days in fasting and
prayer, after which an angel told him to go down to the
shore with the staff which he gave him. The Saint obeyed.
He found there a boat which in the course of two days took
him to Mount Ganos. He accidentally met the bishop of the
place, dressed as a monk, who led him by the hand to the
grotto where he lived. He instructed him in the belief of the
Holy Trinity, baptized him, and conferred the Sacraments
upon him. After three years, he ordained him a priest and
then consecrated him a bishop. The Saint undertook the
direction of all the monks gathered around him. He led
them all to Melitene, having learned by a revelation that
Mount Ganos was going to be invaded and ravaged by
pagans. This actually happened. He returned from Melitene
to Italy where he was able to see his mother and to pay his
last respects. After this he set out for Sicily and lived on
Mount Tauromenius with nine other monks. The President,
having heard of him, made him come with his companions.
After having been questioned, his companions were
stretched out on the ground and died during the beating. As
for Saint Nikon, he was stretched out by four men, burned
with white-hot torches, attached to four beasts of burden
and dragged on the ground, thrown from the top of a
precipice, struck on the mouth with stones, and finally
beheaded.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 24
Pre-festive Day of the Annunciation of our Most Holy
Lady,
the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
(Our venerable Father Zacharia, the Recluse (?))
It cannot be exactly determined who it is among the
numerous Saints who bear the name of Zachary that the
Byzantine Church commemorates today. It is believed that

he lived in a monastery in Constantinople situated near the

gate of Charsia.)
Fifth Class Feast.
This Pre-festive Day occurs from the Thursday of the third week of
Great Lent (Easter on April 25) to Easter Tuesday (Easter on March
22).
In occurrence with fast days: Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
In occurrence with the third or fourth Saturdays of Great Lent: Typika
and Beatitudes. Troparia: of the Pre-festive Day, and of the Church
Patron. Kondakion of the Pre-festive Day. Epistle and Gospel of the
day.
In occurrence with the third Sunday of Great Lent, the Pre-festive Day
is neglected.
In occurrence with the fourth or fifth Sunday of Great Lent: Typika and
Beatitudes. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Pre-festive Day, and of
the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Pre-festive Day. Epistle and
Gospel from the Triodion and the remainder from the Liturgy of Saint
Basil the Great.
In occurrence with Akathist Saturday: Typika and Beatitudes. Ordinary
Isodikon. Troparia: of Akathist Saturday, of the Pre-festive Day, and of
the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Pre-festive Day. Epistle and
Gospel of Akathist Saturday. Hirmos and Kinonikon of Akathist
Saturday.
In occurrence with Lazarus Saturday: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon
of the Sunday. Troparia: of Lazarus Saturday (twice), and of the Prefestive Day. Kondakion of Lazarus Saturday. The remainder of the
Liturgy is from Lazarus Saturday. The remainder of the Liturgy is from
Lazarus Saturday.
In occurrence with Palm Sunday, and in all other occurrences, nothing
is taken from the Pre-festive Day.

March 25
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady,
the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
This feast recalls to us the Incarnation of the Divine Word
in the womb of the Virgin Mary. This mystery merits for
Mary her most beautiful name, Theotokos or Mother of
God. It is this title which merited for her all her graces.
This is why the Angel greeted her on this day: "Rejoice,

Full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among
all women."
In becoming the mother of the New Adam, Mary became
by the same fact the Mother of the whole redeemed human
race. By her voluntary acceptance ("let it be done to me
according to your word"), she-the only creature-actively
participated in the realization of this grandiose mystery by
which humanity would be saved. "All generations will call
me blessed," she cried out in her enthusiasm. This is why
the Church, in the name of the entire human race, today
renders to the Virgin Theotokos the altogether exceptional
honors to which she has a right.
The date of March 25 was chosen in terms of December 25.
Originally, the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to
the Virgin Mary was included in the cycle of the Nativity
according to the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus
Christ. The Syrian tradition still consecrates to it the two
Sundays which preceed the Feast of the Nativity according
to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. In
the West, it is found today in the Ambrosian rite under the
name of the "Sunday of the Incarnation," whereas the
Mozarabic rite fixed it on December 18, which is perhaps
the first feast of the Theotokos in the East and West. It is
due to Constantinople's influence that the date of March 25
owes its universal extension. It is found already in 692 in
the Acts of the Council "In Trullo." It had been introduced
into the West by Pope Saint Leo II (681-683), who was a
Sicilian of Greek culture.
This Second Class Feast has its occurrence from the Friday of the third
week of Great Lent (Easter on April 25) until Easter Wednesday
(Easter on March 22).
In general, in occurrence with a fast day, all is taken from the Feast
with the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Antiphons and Isodikon of
the Feast. Troparion of the Feast (three times). Epistle, Gospel,
Hirmos, and Kinonikon of the Feast.
In occurrence with the third Sunday of Great Lent: Liturgy of Saint
John Chrysostom. Antiphons of the Feast. At the second Antiphon,
response of the Feast. In the Isodikon, the verse of the Feast and the
response of the Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Cross, and
of the Annunciation. Kondakion of the Annunciation. Instead of the
Trisagion, the verse: "We adore Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify
Your holy Resurrection." Epistle and Gospel from the Triodion and of
the Annunciation. Hirmos of the Annunciation. Kinonikon of the Cross
and of the Annunciation. After Communion, Troparion of the Cross.

In occurrence with the fourth or fifth Sunday of Great Lent, only the
Resurrection and the Feast are commemorated. Antiphons of the Feast.
In the Isodikon, verse of the Annunciation, response of the
Resurrection. Troparia: of the Resurrection (once) and of the
Annunciation (twice). Kondakion of the Annunciation. Epistle, Gospel,
Hirmos, and Kinonikon of the Annunciation.
In occurrence with Akathist Saturday, only the Annunciation is
commemorated.
In occurrence with Lazrus Saturday: Antiphons of the Annunciation. In
the Isodikon, verse of the Annunciation, response of the Resurrection.
Troparia: of the Annunciation (twice), and of Lazarus Saturday.
Kondakion of the Annunciation. Instead of the Trisagion, the verse:
"All of you who have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ.
Alleluia." Epistle of the Annunciation, Gospel of Lazarus Saturday.
Hirmos of the Annunciation. Kinonikon of the Annunciation and of
Lazarus Saturday. After Communion, Troparion of Lazarus Saturday.
In occurrence with Palm Sunday (Easter on April 1): First and Second
Antiphons of the Annunciation, Third Antiphon of Palm Sunday.
Isodikon of the Annunciation. Troparion of the Annunciation (twice),
and the first Troparion of Palm Sunday. Kondakion of the
Annunciation. Epistle of the Annunciation, Gospel of Palm Sunday.
Hirmos of the Annunciation. Kinonikon of the Annunciation and of
Palm Sunday. After Communion, Troparion of Palm Sunday.
In occurrence with Great Thursday (Easter on March 28): Among the
Melkites, the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great joined to Vespers. Epistle
and Gospel of Great Thursday.
In occurrence with Great Friday (Easter on March 27): the solemnity
of the Annunciation is generally transferred to Easter Sunday. The
same if it occurs with Great Saturday (Easter on March 26).
In occurrence with Easter Sunday, the following modifications are
introduced into the Easter Liturgy: At the Isodikon, verse of the
Annunciation, response of Easter. Troparia: of Easter (twice), and that
of the Annunciation (once). Hypakoi and Kondakion of Easter. Epistle
and Gospel of Easter and of the Annunciation. Hirmos of Easter.
Kinonikon of Easter and of the Annunciation.
In occurrence with Easter Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, the same
order is followed, but only the Epistle and Gospel of the Annunciation.
Hirmos and Kinonikon of the Annunciation.

March 26
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
Faithful to its custom of celebrating, on the day following
the feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady, the memory of the
Saints who have closely participated in the mystery, the

Byzantine Church today institutes a synaxis in honor of the

Archangel Gabriel who was the God-bearer and Godchosen minister to announce the divine, supernatural, and
ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word to the
Most Holy Virgin.
Fourth Class Feast.
Closing Day of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary. In occurrence with the third or fourth week of
Great Lent: Antiphons of the Feast. In the Isodikon, ordinary verse,
response of the Feast. Troparia: of the Annunciation, of Saint Gabriel,
and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Annunciation. Epistle and
Gospel of Saint Gabriel. Ordinary Hirmos. Kinonikon of the Holy
Angels.
In occurrence with the third Sunday of Great Lent, nothing is taken
from the Feast.
In occurrence with the fourth or fifth Sunday of Great Lent: Liturgy of
Saint Basil the Great. Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the Sunday.
Troparia: of the Resurrection, of the Annunciation, and of the Church
Patron. Kondakion of the Annunciation.
Epistle and Gospel from the Triodion, and the remainder from the
Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, without anything taken from the Feast,
which is thus closed by the Troparia.
In occurrence with Akathist Saturday, nothing is taken from the Feast.

March 27
Memory of our venerable Mother Matrona of
Thessalonica (?)
Saint Matrona was the maid-servant of a Jewish mistress
named Pantila, the wife of a Thessalonian general. One day
she accompanied her mistress to the synagogue, but instead
of entering it, she proceeded toward the church. She was
discovered, cruelly beaten, and thrown into prison, where
she remained four days without anything to eat. Taken out
of prison, she was beaten again and finally died in prison.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 28
Memory of the Venerable Stephen the Wonderworker
(+under Leo the Armenian, 813-820)

The Venerable Hilarion the Younger (end of the Eighth

century)
Saint Stephen lived under Emperor Leo the Armenian (813820). Early in life he embraced monastic life and became
hegumen of the Monastery of Triglia. Summoned by the
Emperor who persecuted those who venerated the Holy
Icons and called to disown this practice, he energetically
refused, dealing with the godlessness of those who were
asking it of him. After many punishments, imprisonments,
and exiles, he committed his soul to God.
Saint Hilarion was hegumen of the monastery of Peleceta
in Brusa, around the end of the Eighth century.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 29
Memory of our venerable Father Mark, Bishop of
Arethusa,
of Cyril, his deacon, and of the others who died
at the hands of Julian the Apostate (+362)
Mark, the Bishop of Arethusa in Second Syria, had
destroyed a pagan temple in order to build a church in its
place under Constantine the Great. Under Julian the
Apostate, the pagans grew bold and sought to avenge the
destruction of their temple. Having seized the Saint, they
stripped him of his clothes, chained his feet, stretched him
out on the ground and overpowered and beat him, and then
threw him into a cesspool. Taking him out of it, he was then
given over to the children who amused themselves by
pricking him with their stilettos. Then rubbing him with
honey and must, they suspended him and exposed him in
the middle of summer to the stings of bees and wasps. The
old Saint patiently endured all these tortures. Overcome by
his steadfastness, the pagans put an end to these tortures by
killing him in 362.
As for the other Christians put to death under Julian the
Apostate, Theodoret (III:3) relates to us that one of them
named Cyril was a deacon in Heliopolis, Lebanon.
Inflamed with holy zeal he had broken many idols
venerated in these regions under Emperor Constantine.
Remembering what he had done, the pagans did not content

themselves with simply killing him, but opened his

stomach and pulled out his liver. At the same time the
pagans of Ascalon and Gaza captured a large number of
virgins, women, and nuns, as well as monks. Opening their
stomachs and filling them with barley, they gave these
Saints to pigs as fodder in 362.
Fifth Class Feast.

March 30
Memory of our venerable Father John Climacus,
who wrote "The Ladder of Virtues" (+ca. 649)
At the age of sixteen Saint John Climacus entered the
monastery of Sinai where he had Anastasius, the future
Patriarch of Antioch, for a teacher. Nineteen years later he
entered the stage of contemplative life called Hesychasm.
After forty years in this life, he became hegumen of the
holy mountain of Sinai. Some years later he withdrew again
into solitude. He composed a treatise on the virtues in thirty
chapters, each chapter containing the exposition of a virtue.
Starting with practical virtues, to arrive at theoretical or
mystical virtues, this study made man climb up by so many
degrees to the celestial heights. Thus the book has been
called "Climax" or the "Ladder of Virtues." Saint John
Climacus died around 649.
Fifth Class Feast.
In occurrence with the Monday of Saint Thomas (Easter on March 22):
Troparia of Saint Thomas, of Saint John Climacus, and of the Church
Patron. Kondakion of Saint Thomas.

March 31
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr and
Wonderworker Hypatios, Bishop of Gangra (Fourth
century)
Saint Hypatios was one of the three hundred and eighteen
Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. He was
a native of Cilicia and died a martyr in Galatia. By his
pious life he obtained the gift of miracles and converted
many pagans to the Christian faith. He built an inn to
receive strangers. By his word alone he made some harmful
moles which ravaged the country disappear. When he

moved about during the night, he was constantly

accompanied by torches which lit his way. He made the
waters of a salty and bitter spring sweet. Under Emperor
Constantius, the son of Constantine the Great, an enormous
serpent got into the Imperial Treasury Chamber and such
fright followed that no one dared enter it. If anyone dared
to enter the room, he was killed on the spot. The Emperor
was dismayed about this. Having heard of the Saint, he sent
for him. The Saint came, approached the treasury room
alone, and opened the door with a staff surmounted by a
cross. He struck the serpent and removed it like a fish,
coiled on the staff. He lit a large pyre in the forum and
burned the serpent there. To preserve his treasury from any
future evil, the Emperor had an icon of the Saint placed at
the entrance of the room. Saint Hypatios died under the
attacks of the Novatian heretics who fought against him
continually. They took up an ambush position in a narrow
passage bordered by precipices, and when the old holy man
went to pass through, they all jumped on him, men and
women, and knocked him down under a shower of rocks.
He fell half dead. Then a wicked woman, wholly imbued in
the errors of her sect, grabbed a heavy rock and hit him in
the temples. The Saint died at once and thus consumated
him martyrdom.
Fifth Class Feast.