Synaxarion of our Venerable Father David of Thessaloniki

On the 26th of this month, we remember our Venerable Father David of Thessaloniki

Verses

With David of old art thou now united, O new David,
For thou didst kill the carnal passions like Goliath. 
On the twenty-sixth, David passed through the gates of life.

He was from the East, and as a brilliant star he illumined the West. Because of his young age, he subdued with temperance the passions of the flesh, and he appeared as an incarnate Angel. He established his home atop an almond tree, like birds who establish their nests atop trees, rejoicing in the words and counsels of those who came before him, spreading the wings of his nous to the heights of divine theoria. Hence the blessed one became rich through God with wondrous actions, and he appeared as if he was a pillar of beaming light, illuminating everyone with his wonders. Because he would freeze from the chill of winter, he burned with the heat of summer, thereupon reaching dispassion. Hence, having burned the pleasures of the flesh, he was able to take ignited coals into his hands before the emperor, remaining unburned and unharmed. In this manner the worthy blessed one, going beyond the limits of human nature, as much as by his angelic citizenship as by his supernatural miracles, departed to Him who as an infant loved the Lord.

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy David, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
An Angel on earth, and stranger to all earthly things, thou madest a tree thy dwelling like an eagle's nest, whence, O David, thou didst soar up to Heaven, where thou didst find that Tree which in Eden we lost of old. Remember us all, who keep thy memory.