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| Sts. Theopemptos and Theonas (Feast Day - January 5) |
Verses
To Theopemptos
Theopemptos accomplished just as he said.
Having accomplished the contest, your head was cut off with the sword.
To Theonas
In the depth of the pit, Martyr Theonas,
You surrendered as you cried out the Psalter.
On the fifth Theopemptos departed this life by the sword.
The Holy Martyr Theopemptos was a Bishop during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). When this tyrant initiated a persecution against the Christians in the year 290, this Saint was first to confess Christ, and received the crown of martyrdom. He was arrested and brought before Diocletian, and rebuked him for his errors. Wherefore he was placed in a blazing furnace and came out safe and sound. Then one of his eyes was torn out, and after they made him drink a deadly poison concocted by the magician Theonas. Being preserved unharmed by the grace of God, the magician Theonas was moved to believe in Christ. Being tortured in other similar ways, he was beheaded, and so received the crown of martyrdom. Theonas was buried alive in a deep pit dug for this purpose, and in this way delivered his soul into the hands of God.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Arrayed in the robes of the Priesthood, thou dost put the enemy to flight by thy contest, O inspired Hierarch Theopemptos. Wherefore thou didst bring glorious Theonas to the knowledge of the Truth when he turned to the Lord. Pray together with him for those who honour thy contest.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
As priest of the Mysteries and God-like minister of grace, thou didst guide Theonas in martyrdom and bring him to the Faith, O Theopemptos. Together with him thou didst cry out in the stadium: Christ is the strength of the Martyrs.
Megalynarion
Shining with the radiance of your contest, blessed Theopemptos, you illumined the divine Theonas towards life, through the power of a miracle, and having contested together, remember us.