May 4, 2019

Holy Martyrs Aphrodisios, Leo, Antoninus, Meles, Valerian, Macrobios and those with them of Scythopolis

Sts. Aphrodisios, Leo, Antoninus, Meles, Valerian, Macrobios
and Those Martyred With Them in Scythopolis (Feast Day - May 4)

Verses

To Aphrodisios.
Who is this that was cut at the neck by a sword?
Aphrodisios, Aphrodisios, he said.

To Leo, Antoninus and Meles.
Leo and his two fellow athletes,
Ran like lions towards the sword.

To Valerian and Macrobios.
The two heads of the Martyrs were joined together,
Arriving at the contest of fire which they endured.

On this day we commemorate our Holy Fathers Aphrodisios, Leo, Antoninus, Meles, Valerian, Macrobios and the multitude martyred with them in Scythopolis of Palestine. The Holy Martyrs Aphrodisios, Leo, Antoninus and Meles met their end by a sword, while the Holy Martyrs Valerian and Macrobios met their end by fire. Their Synaxis was celebrated in the revered Temple of the Holy and all-praised Apostle James the brother of the Lord, which was in the revered house of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos in the Chalkoprateia quarter of Constantinople.