My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 10th of October, Our Holy Orthodox Church
Commemorates the holy siblings and Martyrs EVLAMPIOS and
EVLAMPIA of Nicomedia.
Apolytikion Hymn (Dismissal Hymn) of the Holy Martyrs. Fourth Tone
THY MARTYRS, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received
as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our Immortal
God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants
and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ
God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Kontakion Hymn of the Holy Martyrs. Third Tone
TO the wise Evlampios and brave Evlampia with him, to those siblings in
the flesh and Martyrs valiant in courage, we now offer praise and honor,
for with the power of Him that died on the Cross, they have shamed and
vanquished all the tyrants’ schemes; for they are the Martyrs’ glory and
their rejoicing and boast.
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Evlampios and Evlampia, the holy Martyrs, were brother and sister. They hailed from the great city of Nicomedia. They were young and good-looking, the scions of an eminent family. The sacred twain were fervent zealots of piety who lived during the reign of Maximian (286-305 A.D.), when Maximios was governor.
In 296, Evlampios could not endure to see the name of the True God insulted and abused. Therefore, he left the city and went to dwell in the wilderness. Now other Christians also fled the city and took refuge in caves. Away from the city, Evlampios exercised self-control and mastery over himself; for he desired to conduct a God-pleasing life, lest he sin. At length, when pricked at heart by the outrages of the pagans, he was filled with divine zeal, as another Prophet Elias. Thus he departed his beloved wilderness and willingly reentered the city. Desiring to receive the crown of the contest, Evlampios spoke freely to the idolaters, preaching piety. Beholding the vain-minded idol worshippers, he mocked them. Offended bystanders recognized that he was a Christian and, immediately, bound and incarcerated him, until they could bring him as a new game or diversion to the ruler.
The governor, apprised of the prisoner’s activities, ordered that he be brought before him for inquiry. "For what reason wast thou incited to display suc impudent behavior, defying the imperial commands? …if thou wilt sacrifice unto the gods, thou wilt gladden them and us. Moreover, thou wilt deliver thyself from dread torments that await thee. The holy youth then made the sign of the Cross and answered, "…I am endowed with reason and hope to enter into eternal life and rejoice; for only one God do I worship and render honor, invisible in nature; and to Him solely do I wish to make my prayers before His people."
The tyrant, hearing this, commanded that the prisoner be laid naked and beaten on the ground mercilessly. Evlampios possessed so much endurance that it seamed that another was tormented, and the Saint was merely a spectator.
Then, in the midst of the crowds, there appeared a beautiful and comely maiden who, taking the hands of the martyr, uttered, "As I am thy sister Evlampia, we had one mother who bore and nurtured us; thus, it is fitting that we receive one death for the love of our True God and Savior." The tyrant was angered by the boldness of Evlampia. Beholding her with a fierce look, he, who was the most stained with blood, exclaimed, "Thou liest, O impudent woman, entreat the gods to forgive thee, so thou wilt not be deprived of the good things of this life…therefore, follow my words, lest I subject thee to worse torments."
The brave Evlampia and sister of equal worth to the Martyr, without cowering, answered, "Hear me, O judge, and understand my position well. I am the handmaiden of Christ. He is my breath and life, and the joy of my soul. It is His love for which I thrist to die. Therefore, prepare the fire, sharpen the swordd, and ready every other torment that thou canst contrive.."
These words, spoken with great freedom of tongue by the holy maiden provoked the tyrant. He commanded that they boil water in a large caulderen. He thought to leave the holy twain to boil, till only their bones remained. When the cauldron was prepared, the holy Evlampios straightway, entered. Evlampia also took courage and entered the cauldron. Instantly, the water froze as crystal, and both siblings stood rejoicing. Many of the Greeks beheld this miracle and believed. The tyrant directed that Evlampios be blinded, so that his sister would lose courage. Yet, in vain did that unconscionable man labor.
Having no other hope of breaking the Martyrs, he passed the final sentence–to sever their holy heads from their bodies. Thus, accocrding to the command, Evlampios wa executed, but Evlampia surrendered her holy soul peacefully inot the immaculate hands of Christ before the executioner struck off her head. Hence, God received the soul of the virgin-martyr, serenely and without the sword, lest the tyrant’s command be executed. Thus, Saints Evlampios and Evlampia now partake of glory in the Kingdom of Him to Whom is due Honor and Glory, Magnificence, and Majest, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
On the 10th of October, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy
TWO HUNDRED MARTYRS who suffered with Saint Evlampios, and being
slain by the sword. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Churh)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 