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| St. Mercurius the Great Martyr (Feast Day - November 25) |
Verses
Although Mercurius was struck by a sword,
While dead he strikes the enemies of the Lord.
The Holy Great Martyr Mercurius, a Scythian by descent, served as a soldier in the Roman army. He was handsome in appearance with blonde hair and a natural redness in his cheeks. The impious emperors Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259) issued a decree ordering all Roman citizens to worship the pagan gods, and condemning Christians to torture and death unless they obeyed the decree.
At that time barbarians attacked the Roman Empire, and the emperor Decius went on campaign with a large army. In one of the battles an Angel of the Lord appeared to Mercurius in the guise of a nobleman and presented him a sword saying, “Fear not, Mercurius. Go forth bravely against the enemy, and when you are victorious, do not forget the Lord your God.” With this sword the holy warrior cut through the ranks of the barbarians. He also killed their king, winning victory for the Romans. The grateful Emperor Decius rewarded Mercurius for his bravery, and made him commander of the entire army.
The Angel of the Lord appeared again to the holy warrior, who had received great honors and riches, and reminded him by Whom the victory had been given. He also told General Mercurius that he would suffer for Christ, and would receive a crown of victory in His Kingdom. Mercurius recalled that his father Gordian had also confessed the Christian Faith. Although the Saint had been baptized, he felt he had not devoted his life to God as his father and grandfather had done. Thus, he was weeping and lamenting when he was summoned before the emperor.
Decius consulted Mercurius on matters of state, then suggested that they offer sacrifice in the temple of Artemis. Not wishing to do this, the Saint returned to his home. He was denounced as a Christian by a nobleman, whose name was Catullus. The emperor would not believe this, however, until he himself had questioned the Saint. Openly declaring himself a Christian, Mercurius threw down his military belt and cloak at the emperor’s feet, and he repudiated all the honors he had received. The Angel of the Lord again appeared to Mercurius in the prison, encouraging him to endure every suffering for Christ.
They stretched the holy Martyr between four pillars and lit a fire beneath him. They cut his body with knives, and so much blood flowed from his wounds that it extinguished the fire. Then he was beaten and hung upside down, and a heavy stone was attached to him. This was followed by a cruel flagellation. When they threw him back into the prison nearly dead from his wounds, Mercurius was healed by the Lord, demonstrating the great power of Christ to the impious pagans. Condemned to death, the Saint was deemed worthy of a vision of the Lord, Who promised him a quick release from his sufferings. The Great Martyr Mercurius was beheaded at Caesarea in Cappadocia at the age of twenty-five. His holy body emitted a fragrance like myrrh and incense. Many of the sick were healed at his tomb.
Even after his death the warrior of Christ performed a soldier’s service for the good of the earthly Church. Saint Basil the Great (January 1) once prayed before an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, upon which Saint Mercurius was depicted as a soldier holding a spear. He asked God not to permit the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) to return from his war against the Persians and resume his oppression of Christians. The image of the holy Great Martyr Mercurius, depicted on the icon beside the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, became invisible. It reappeared later with a bloodied spear.
At this very moment Julian the Apostate, on his Persian campaign, was wounded by the spear of an unknown soldier, who immediately disappeared. The mortally wounded Julian, as he lay dying, cried out, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!”
The Most Holy Theotokos, through the prayers of Saint Basil, had sent Saint Mercurius to defend the Christians from the apostate Julian. May we also be preserved from God’s foes, overcoming them through the prayers and assistance of Saint Mercurius.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Partaker of heavenly light, an Angel was your guide to manifest glory O Mercurius. You contested as a warrior for the Immortal King, struggling beyond nature as a brave soldier. Protect those who hasten to you, O blessed one.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Arrayed with the power of Christ as a divine breastplate, you excelled as an athlete and enlighten those who cry out: Rejoice O boast of Martyrs, Mercurius.
Megalynarion
Perceived as an all-comely youth, you were made notable as a soldier of the Master, in the natural prime of life you blossomed in the contest, divinely-minded Mercurius, glorified by Christ.