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| St. Eierenarchos and those with him (Feast Day - November 28) |
Verses
To Eirenarchos
The murderess sword was the ordained lot,
Of Eirenarchos for you O Savior the prince of peace.
To the Seven Women
In the city of Sebaste there appeared dead,
Seven all-revered women by the sword.
The Holy Martyr Eirenarchos was from the city of Sebaste. At a young age, he held the office of being an executioner: punishing those condemned by the emperor. Wherefore it follows that he participated in torturing the Holy Martyrs of Christ at the instigation of persecutors and tyrants.
One day it happened that seven pious Christian women were being tortured by Maximus the governor of Sebaste, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). When Eirenarchos saw how these women, despite being ill, were facing torture for Christ bravely, and disgraced the tyrant, he became illumined in his soul by divine grace. Thus he boldly confessed Christ and proclaimed himself a Christian.
First he was cast alive into a nearby marshy lake at the order of the governor. Coming out alive from the marshy lake, he was put into a flaming furnace. Astonishingly he was kept unharmed, and his head was cut off by a sword together with the presbyter Akakios who had baptized him. In this way both of them received crowns of martyrdom.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thou didst confess the Prince of Peace with faith, and abandon the lord of error and turmoil, O wise Eirenarchos. Thou didst pass through fire and water, and emerge as a trophy-bearer. Pray that peace and salvation may be granted unto all.
Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
O soldier and martyr of the Prince of Peace, thou didst destroy the prince of darkness by thy brave resistance. Thou dost ever preserve in peace, O Eirenarchos, those who honour thy achievements with faith.