Events

ʿAbdishōʿ of Kashkar was tortured with the priest ʿAbdā Alaha by Ardashir, brother of Sapor; ʿAbdā was arrested with seven friends and seven virgins. Barḥaḏbshabā and Samuel also were executed. Then ʿAbdishōʿ and ʿAbdā Alaha were executed. They were buried by Byzantine slaves in a neighboring village. He was martyred with 38 companions.

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On MASOCNA calendar

On MASOCNA calendar

May 1st is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Athanasius of Alexandria (St. Athanasius the Great) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Athanasius was born in AD295 to wealthy Christian parents. He studied Theology & Greek mythology. He lived some years with St. Antony in the deserts spending time in prayers & meditation. He has also written the biography of the saint.

He was ordained a deacon in AD 319 by Patriarch Alexander & he served him as his secretary. At the time Arius, an old priest in Alexandria, taught that Jesus was not fully divine but he was only similar to God & was created at the beginning of creation. In AD325 the Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea put Arius on trial & denounced him. The council confirmed the error of his teaching. The primary opponent was deacon Athanasius who worked as the secretary of Patriarch Alexander in this Council.

Upon the demise of Patriarch Alexander in AD328, Athanasius who was only 33 at that time ascended the throne. There were many allegations against him & he was banished five times. There were even attempts on his life. The Arius faction severed the arm of a dead man to be presented as a proof that it was the right arm of Episcopo Arsanios who was murdered by Athanasius. Their allegations were proved baseless when Arsanius himself was presented before them.

A Synod at Tyre excommunicated him. Two years later he returned to the diocese. Again in AD339, a synod with the connivance of Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia, banished him. He was given sanctuary by Mor Yulios of Rome. The Serdica synod in AD343 re-established him in his ecclesiastical rights & declared him the lawful Patriarch of Alexandria.

His episcopate lasted for forty five years till AD 373. Of these he had spent seventeen years in hiding, in deserts & in foreign countries. In spite of all the trials he succeeded in transferring true faith to the next generation.

Mor Athanasius is commemorated every Sunday in the Thubden d-Qadishe (5th Thubden/Dypthic) of the Syriac Orthodox Church Holy Qurbono.

Biography adapted from 'Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Athanasius! Plead for the Holy Church, that her children and hierarchy remain steadfast in the true faith always! Amen.

https://urhotheway.com/2020/08/18/st-athanasius/

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St. John of Kfone (Mor Yuhannon de-kfone). Mor Yuhannon was a native of Athens, & disciple of Mor Awgin. He evangelized Tur Abdin from late 4th century to early 5th century. He is believed to be buried in the village of kfone. There is a Church dedicated to his honour in the Syriac Aramean village of Mzizah (Dogancay, modern Turkey).

St. Qawme (Mar Kauma). Mar Kauma stands as a luminous star, in the heavenly abode of Saints & Prophets. His strenuous ways of life & consistency in faith for God has bought him the title ‘the angel of earth’. The word ‘Kauma’ means ‘standing in an erect position’. He prayed in the shape of a cross on a tree & hence got the name ‘Kauma’. He spent 45 years of his life in this position under solitude, having little food to sustain life.

For full biography of St. Qawme: https://goo.gl/hYRNm9

Biography of St. Qawme in Malayalam: https://goo.gl/tXL98s

May 2nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Ahudemeh +575 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Ahudemeh was born to in Balad, Iran to a Nestorian family. He received theological education under Nestorian teachers & subsequently became a Nestorian bishop. However, he left the heresy of Nestorianism & embraced the Orthodox (Miaphysite) True faith. He preached to the nomadic Arab tribes of Beth Arabaye province of the Persian Empire, & countless ethnic Arabs accepted the Orthodox faith. He built a Monastery dedicated to Mor Sergius so the Arabs did not have to go to the Byzantine Empire to pray, but it was sadly destroyed by the Nestorians.

The Miaphysites came under fierce persecution within the Byzantine Empire after they rejected the Council of Chalcedon. Many miaphysites took refuge in the Persian Empire. However, the Persian Sassanid Shah did not welcome them. He believed the Miaphysites to be spies who were loyal to Byzantine, as their spiritual leader (Patriarch of Antioch and all the East) was residing within Byzantine territory. The Nestorians also spread lies to deceive the Shah into believing that Orthodox could not be trusted. So the Orthodox faithful were persecuted simultaneously in Byzantine & in Persia.

Shah Khosrau decided to hold a debate between the Orthodox & the Nestorians at his court to see which faith was superior. The Nestorians were represented by their leader Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Joseph who was also the physician of Shah Khosrau. The Orthodox were represented by Mor Ahudemeh. At the end of the debate, the Shah realized that the Orthodox faith was superior & therefore granted the Orthodox freedom to worship & build churches, monasteries etc.

Mor Yac'ub Burd'ono seeing the greatness of Mor Ahudemeh, consecrated him Metropolitan of the East to protect, shepherd & promote the Syriac Orthodox Church in the territories of the Persian Sassanid Empire. He was counted as the first Metropolitan of the See of the East after it had been usurped by the Nestorians. With greater authority, Mor Ahudemeh began strengthening the Orthodox Church, rebuilding monasteries, evangelizing etc.

The son of Shah Khosrau was baptized to Christianity by Mor Ahudemeh who sent him to Byzantine for safety, which angered the emperor. The Shah imprisoned Mor Ahudemeh. The Syriac Orthodox Arab tribes who were converted by the missions of Mor Ahudemeh offered 3 times his weight in gold to the emperor for Mor Ahudemeh's freedom. However, Mor Ahudemeh declined, deciding to remain in prison & was later executed. Thus he attained the crown of martyrdom. His mortal remains were interred in Qronta, opposite Tikrit.

Mor Ahudemeh was also a philosopher, theologian & scholar known for his great intelligence. He was a staunch supporter of Orthodoxy even till his death.

Oh Mor Ahudemeh! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Biography adapted from, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

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On MASOCNA Calendar

In hagiography: Daniel of Galash (Aghlosh or Golosh) was a married man who left his wife to become a monk. He met many ascetics in his life, including Mari and Julien Saba. He visited the portrait of Christ in Edessa. He stayed in a cave with Mari, and then he established a monastery on Mount Aysum. His son Lazarus became his disciple. He built a small monastery in Rome for his father.

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Mor Marutha of Tagrit (Syriac: ܡܪܘܬܐ ܕܬܓܪܝܬ‎) was born in Sharsak, a village in Bethnehudra in Mosul around A.D. 569 His father was the village chief, a religious person & very affluent. After his primary education he joined ‘Sardas’ Monastery, where he obtained his priestly ordination. He later moved to Mor Sakkai Monastery to pursue theological studies as well as the study of Greek & Syriac.

He spent 10 years there under malphono Theodorus & studied scholarly books of Mor Gregorios Thevologus. Mor Marutha who was a seeker of knowledge became the disciple of Thoma, the blind in Urhoy (Edessa) & attained dexterity in composition of literary works & calligraphy from Shem’vun Shubdia & Mor Aaho. He became a teacher of Theology & interpretation of the books of the Prelates in the church in Mor Mathai monastery.

In A.D. 628 he was ordained Maphrian of Tigris by Mor Athanasius I Gammolo. Initially, 12 dioceses were under him, but when people of Urhoy migrated to Persia at the time of war three more dioceses (Azarbaijan, Kursan, & Afganistan) were added.

Mor Marutha constructed churches & established monasteries. He also wrote books. The litany used while blessing the water for Epiphany, the biography of Mor Ahudema, bishop of Tigris (+575), interpretation of The Gospel, The Holy Qurbono Thakso, speeches for some feasts are examples. It is recorded in the writings of Bar Sleebi (+1171) that the Nineveh Fast, (3 Day Lent) was put into force by Mor Marutha.

Mor Marutha passed away in 649AD at age 80 after having served the Syriac Orthodox Church for twenty years. His remains were interred in the church which he had constructed.

Biography adapted from 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20Marutha%20of%20Takrit.htm

HE Mor Julius Abdelahad Shabo, Metropolitan of Sweden and Scandinavia was consecrated on May 3rd 1987 by late HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

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May 3rd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus +303 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Sergius & Mor Bacchus were officers in the Roman army on the border of Syria, & they were close companions. The two were very close to Roman Emperor Maximian. Tradition states that Sergius & Bacchus were not willing to worship the Roman deity Jupiter for they were Christians. As punishment, they were dressed in female attire & paraded around the city in humiliation. They were then sent to Barbalissos(Beit Bales) where the military commander Antiochus was a friend of Sergius. There the pair was inflicted with great torture but they wouldn't renounce their faith. After Bacchus died from the extreme torture, Antiochus ordered his body thrown into the river. Thus Mor Bacchus attained the crown of martyrdom.

Sergius was greatly disheartened, but later that night, Bacchus appeared to him in a dream, telling Sergius to remain steadfast in the faith. Antiochus continued to torture Sergius, driving nails into his feet, tied him up to a horse & ordered him to be dragged to the town of Resafa. There, even after continuous torture, Sergius would not renounce his faith in Christ. He was eventually beheaded. Thus Mor Sergius attained the crown of martyrdom.

St. Sergius & St. Bacchus were very popular throughout Late Antiquity. The close friendship between the saints is strongly emphasized in their hagiographies & traditions, making them one of the most famous examples of paired saints. Churches in their honor were built in several cities. In AD431 Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis renovated the church which was built over the tomb of Sergius. The church at Resafa & the tomb are now famous pilgrim centres. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I renamed Resafa as Sergiopolis. Justinian built churches in the name of Sergius at Constantinople & Palestine. The Syriac Orthodox Church had a monastery in Azerbaijan dedicated to their honour.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Sergius & Mor Bacchus! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

https://urhotheway.com/2020/10/09/sergius-and-bacchus/

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In hagiography: Lazarus of Habsenas is a saint from Habsenas and contested bishop of Qartmin after whom Simeon of the Olives named a monastery with a tower.

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Daniel of Scete was an Egyptian monk from the sixth century who was venerated in the Syriac tradition.

For more wise stories read: 'Witness to Holiness. Abba Daniel of Scetis' including chapter 4 'Syriac Accounts' by Dr. Sebastian Brock

Vat. LXIX

Prophet Daniel was taken captive along with the Israelites by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon when he captured Jerusalem in the year 3398 of the world. He stayed in babylon for seventy years. This prophet was very young in age, however, he conducted himself in virtuous life, the Holy Spirit filled him and he prophesied in Babylon.

In the fourth year of the exile, Nebuchadnezzar the king saw a dreadful dream and was extremely frightened. When he woke up, he forgot the detail of his dream. He gathered all the wise men of Babylon to tell the king his dream and its meaning. If they failed to tell the king the dream and its interpretation they would all be killed, among those also were Daniel and the three young men. Daniel and the young men prayed to God with supplications to reveal to them the King's dream. God answered their prayers and revealed to Daniel the dream and its interpretation. Daniel went to the king and told him his dream and its interpretation. He also told him about the kings that they are about to rule after him, and what would happen to every one of them. Nebuchadnezzar was pleased with Daniel, and fell on his face before him. The king presented Daniel with great gifts and appointed him over the wise men of Babylon.

After some time had passed, Nebuchadnezzar saw another dream, and Daniel interpreted the dream for him. Daniel told the king that because of his arrogance, God would drive him from among men, to dwell among the beasts of the wild and would eat grass like oxen for seven years, and then God would bring him back to his kingdom, and all that happened to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel also explained to Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, what the angel of the Lord had written on the wall, when king Belshazzar drank wine in the gold and silver vessels of the temple of the Lord. Daniel told the king: " O king, the Most High gave Nebuchadnezzar your father, a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor... But when his heart was lifted up in pride, he was deposed from his kingdom and thrown from his throne into among the animals. And you, Belshazzar, although you knew all what happened to your father, yet you also lifted your heart against the Lord of heaven. They brought the vessels of the house of the Lord before you, and you , your lords, wives and concubines (mistresses) drank wine from these vessels... Then the fingers of a Hand were send from the Lord, and His writing was written: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Upharsin..which meant:

Mene means: God has numbered your days as a king and terminated you rule. Tekel means: You have been weighed in the balances of the Lord and was found wanting. Upharsin means: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians after you. All of them came to pass and the king was killed with all his lords and the kingdom of the Chaldeans ended. Darius, king of Persia, ruled after him.

There was an idol in Babylon named "Bael" which king Darius worshiped. When Daniel was asked why he did not worship it, Daniel answered: "I do not worship something that has no life in it." The king said to him: "He is alive for he eats and drinks every day." Daniel told him that could not be true. The king was angry and wanted to check the matter for himself. He put the food and the drinks in the temple of the idol and closed the door and sealed it. On the next day, he went to the temple, opened the door and did not find the food nor the drinks. But Daniel with the help of some of his companions, covered the floor of the temple with fine ashes, found the feet tracks of those who entered the temple by night and stole the food and drinks.

The king arrested the seventy priests of the idol Bael, together with their wives and children and tortured them until they told him about the secret entrance to the temple. The king then ordered them all to be killed and allowed Daniel to destroy the idol and its altar. The people rebelled against the king and asked him to deliver Daniel to their hands. The king surrendered to their demands and Daniel was cast into the den of lions. However God kept Daniel safe and destroyed his enemies.

Daniel saw in a vision the kingdoms and the kings to come after him to rule the world to the end of time. He also saw the glory of God and the Divinity of Christ the Savior. He prophesied about His coming and His death, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the abolition of the sacrifice and the offerings, and all has been fulfilled.

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

The holy Great Martyr Irene was born in the city of Magedon in Persia during the fourth century.

Virginmartyr

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Mor Evodius was a pagan who converted to Christianity due to the apostolic work of Saint Peter. According to the Book of Acts, the first communities to receive evangelism werer the Jews and pagans of Antioch.

St. Evodius the successor of St. Peter, the Apostle, was one of the seventy disciples sent out by our Lord to preach. John Chrysostom counts Evodius contemporary with the Apostles and is also known as the first bishop of Antioch ordained by St. Peter. After the martyrdom of St. Peter at Rome in AD 67, Evodius became the Patriarch of the Holy See of Antioch. St. Evodius wrote several compositions. In one of them he writes that the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world.

St. Evodius was the bishop of Antioch until AD 68, and he was martyred under Emperor Nero

Biography Courtesy: "Martyrs, Saints, and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church"

May 6th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Helena +328 according the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mort Queen Helena the mother of St. King Constantine was born in Drepanum. She married Constantine Chlorus, who after the birth of Constantine, later divorced her for political reasons. Helen embraced Christianity at the instance of Constantine at the age of 63.

Queen Helen was very considerate to the poor and needy. Queen Helen was eager to discover the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This is evident from the hymn recited during the procession of MidLent (phelgo d-sawmo/paathinombu):

Queen Helen came Jerusalem – From Rome, Royal town
To worship the Cross on which – Jesus was hanged on
She called together – All the Jews she knew
Asked them to show her – Place of Jesus Cross
They told her that they got a - Leading commander
If you ask him, he will show – Place of Jesus Cross
Halleluiah.. Vu .. Halleluiah….

Three crosses were discovered on March 24 while preparing the site for constructing the church at Golgotha. In the Sh'himo The Bo’outho of Mor Yacoub of Sarug (the Prayer of the third hour for Friday) describes the anecdote vividly:

“Judas stood up and girded his loins manfully and dug and found three crosses which lay together; the mother of the king was sad because of this, because she did not know which was the cross of the Son of God.

Judas said to her: do not be grieved, blessed one, the Lord lives who will show you which is his cross. The Father was pleased to show the cross of light by means of a dead youth, who was being accompanied on the way to the grave.

When they placed them one after the other on the dead man, the people cried: living cross, show your power; the dead man saw the cross of light and rose from the bier and all who saw him gave glory to him who raised him up”

The portions of this cross were considered to be very precious and prelates used pieces of this cross in their handcross during the fourth century. A portion of the cross is inserted in the handcross of St. Gregorius Abdul Jaleel +1671 of North Paravur.

The last days of Queen Helen were spent at Palestine and her dead body was taken to Rome when she passed.

Biographies courtesy "Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church"

Oh Morth Helena plead for us before God's throne of grace! May the power of the true Holy Cross protect us from the evil one and all his forces. Amen

Vat. LXIX

On MASOCNA Calendar

May 6th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus +303 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Sergius & Mor Bacchus were officers in the Roman army on the border of Syria, & they were close companions. The two were very close to Roman Emperor Maximian. Tradition states that Sergius & Bacchus were not willing to worship the Roman deity Jupiter for they were Christians. As punishment, they were dressed in female attire & paraded around the city in humiliation. They were then sent to Barbalissos(Beit Bales) where the military commander Antiochus was a friend of Sergius. There the pair was inflicted with great torture but they wouldn't renounce their faith. After Bacchus died from the extreme torture, Antiochus ordered his body thrown into the river. Thus Mor Bacchus attained the crown of martyrdom.

Sergius was greatly disheartened, but later that night, Bacchus appeared to him in a dream, telling Sergius to remain steadfast in the faith. Antiochus continued to torture Sergius, driving nails into his feet, tied him up to a horse & ordered him to be dragged to the town of Resafa. There, even after continuous torture, Sergius would not renounce his faith in Christ. He was eventually beheaded. Thus Mor Sergius attained the crown of martyrdom.

St. Sergius & St. Bacchus were very popular throughout Late Antiquity. The close friendship between the saints is strongly emphasized in their hagiographies & traditions, making them one of the most famous examples of paired saints. Churches in their honor were built in several cities. In AD431 Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis renovated the church which was built over the tomb of Sergius. The church at Resafa & the tomb are now famous pilgrim centres. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I renamed Resafa as Sergiopolis. Justinian built churches in the name of Sergius at Constantinople & Palestine. The Syriac Orthodox Church had a monastery in Azerbaijan dedicated to their honour.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Sergius & Mor Bacchus! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

https://urhotheway.com/2020/10/09/sergius-and-bacchus/

Fixed Feast

The Precious Cross appeared in the sky over Jerusalem on the morning of May 7, 351 during the reign of the emperor Constantius, the son of St. Emperor Constantine. St. Cyril of Jerusalem wrote about the apparition in his letter to the Emperor.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem's Letter to the Emperor on the Apparition of the Holy Cross Syriac & English Translation: https://bit.ly/CyrilJerusalemLetterCross

A contemporary and associate of St. Jacob of Serugh.

http://www.syriacstudies.com/AFSS/Syriac_Scholars_and_Writers/Entries/2008/3/20_39-_Habib_of_Edessa.html

St. James (Jacob) is usually called “the Greater” in order to distinguish him from the other Apostle James, the “brother: of the Lord, who is called “the Less”. He was the brother of St. John the Evangelist (sons of Zebedee and Salome) and came from Bethsaida in Galilee, where his father owned a fishing boat.

Evening:
St. Matthew 9: 35 - 10: 10
Morning:
St. Matthew 19: 27 - 30

Before Holy Qurbana:
Genesis 12 : 1 - 9
Daniel 1: 8 - 21
Isaiah 43: 1 - 7

Holy Qurbana:
Acts 1: 12 - 14
I Corinthians 12: 28 - 13: 10
St. Luke 6: 12 - 23

http://www.syriacchristianity.info/doc/Apostles.htm#ST. JAMES, Apostle

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St. John is the youngest son of Zebedee & Salome. John's older brother is St. James. He was the youngest of the disciples, & unlike the others he did not face martyrdom. John was the only Apostle present by Jesus' side at the crucifixion. Christ entrusted the care of St. Mary to John as he was the one 'Jesus loved the most'. St. Mary lived under John's care until her death.

St. John lived in Jerusalem & later moved to Ephesus. He authored the Gospel & 3 epistles in his name. The book of Revelation was also written by him. He built many churches in Turkey & evangelized many to Christianity. Tradition states that he lived to 120 years of age. A church was built over the site of his tomb. However, this was converted to a mosque.

Huthomo: https://youtu.be/Sg1DcHVxmDo

The Syriac History of John (Apocryphal hagiography of St. John son of Zebedee): http://bit.ly/JohnSyriac

St. Severus of Antioch hymn on St. John the Evangelist:

"All the peoples shall bless him" (Psalms 72:17)
The preacher and Apostle, John the Evangelist, who by Christ, even God, his Master, was before named 'son of thunder', and for this reason divinely thundered with loud voice the words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God", and stirred up and instilled wonder in all the ears of wise and of unwise. Whom also Jesus particularly loved more than the rest of the disciples his fellows, by whom He was proclaimed God, let us beg and beseech together with the God-bearer and Virgin to entreat for us, in order that, building all the service of works of virtue upon this foundation of faith, we may be admitted to find great mercy."

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Martyr

Vat. LXIX

In hagiography: Barhadbeshabba of Qartmin was a monk and disciple of Samuel of Qartmin.

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Mort Shmuni & her 7 sons suffered martyrdom under emperor Antiochus IV. Their story is written in the 2nd book of Maccabees. While her name is not mentioned, within the Syriac tradition she is known as Shmuni. Though they lived before the time of Christ, they are counted among the company of the saints for attaining the crown of martyrdom.

The pagan king wanted the faithful Shmuni & her sons to consume pig meat. However, they refused as they did not wish to break the law given by God to Prophet Moses. Enraged, the king ordered them to be tortured and killed. One by one, each son was brutally tortured & then burnt alive within a large pot of flames. St. Shmuni seeing her sons tortured & killed still trusted God & she, "bore it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord." After all the sons were killed, St. Shmuni too suffered the same fate.

According to the Syriac Fenqitho (book of festal offices), the name of her sons are Habroun, Hebsoun, Bakhous, Adai, Tarsai, Maqbai and Yawnothon.

There are many churches dedicated in her honour, the oldest being Mort Shmuni Syriac Orthodox Church in Qarqosh, Iraq which is 1500 years old.

Various Fathers of the Church preached sermons on Mort Shmuni & her 7 sons, including Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint Gregory Nazianzus and Saint John Chrysostom.

Many miracles are attributed to the intercession of St. Shmuni & her sons.

A sermon about Mort Shmuni by Late Lamented Cathloicose Baselious Paulose II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVaQ5RsP0oM

St. Shmuni in various Syriac sources: http://bit.ly/ShmuniSyriacSources

Hoothomo by HG Mor Osthatheos https://youtu.be/RkJ4_QmpljI

https://urhotheway.com/2020/08/02/morth-shmoni-her-seven-sons/

On MASOCNA calendar

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On MASOCNA calendar

Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism

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Anjilimoottil Itty Thommen Kathanar is one of the most noteworthy leaders of the Malankara church who bravely resisted the Roman Catholic Portuguese persecutions in the 17th century. He was the chief adviser & the close aide of the then head of the Syriac Christians, Thomas Archedyaqno (who was later ordained MarThoma I Metropolitan).

After the historic ‘Koonan Kurishu Sathyam’ of 1653, Fr. Itty Thommen & Archedyaqno Thoma provided great leadership to end the Portuguese dominance over the Malankara Syriac Christians, thus paving way for the re-establishment of the apostolic faith & traditions of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India.

Fr. Itty Thommen was a bright star amongst the Knanaya (Urfalee) community of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India.

Itty Thommen Kathanar was laid to rest in his home parish, St. Mary's Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Church, Kallisserry. (Knanaya Valiyapally)

http://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/IttyThommenKathanar.htm

May 10th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Jude the Apostle according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

St. Jude, also known as Labbaeus bears the surname Thaddeus, & was the son of James. (translated correctly in the Syriac Peshito of Luke 6:16 & Acts 1:13. It is incorrectly translated to brother of James in other versions)

He preached in Samaria, Mesopotamia & Persia where he reunited with fellow Apostle St. Simon.

He is the Patron of the Armenian Orthodox Church along with St. Bartholomew.

He attained martyrdom along with St. Simon.

Oh St. Jude, plead for us before God's throne of grace! Amen.

St. Simon is known as Simon Kananaios (Greek translation of the Aramaic term 'qena na' ) meaning Zealot. He hailed from Galilee, the son of Cleophas of the tribe of Ephraim. He was a member of the 'Zealots' a Jewish nationalist organization which was against Roman oppression. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, St. Simon preached in Jerusalem & Samaria along with St. Peter.

Once there was a prominent Jewish leader whose son died. The Christians who attended the funeral told the leader to invite St. Simon who was preaching nearby to pray. Simon asked the father if he believed in Christ, the father replied he would only believe if his son could be brought back. St.Simon turned to the east & prayed, “Christ, our Lord, the one who was crucified during the times of Pontius Pilate, please raise this boy from death so that they will believe you are God and your name will be hallowed and everyone will believe in you.” Then he walked towards the dead boy & spoke, “Rise in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit so that all should believe in Jesus Christ.” Miraculously the dead boy opened his eyes and sat up. Simon asked them to serve him food. The assembled crowd knelt before him & cried, “How can we be saved?” Believe in Christ & you will be saved was his answer.

St. Simon continued preaching, especially in Aleppo, Mabug & Clovedia. He attained the crown of martyrdom by being crucified along with Apostle St. Jude.

Biography adapted from 'Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

(Abgar ukomo u Malko d'Urha).

King Abgar, a contemporary of our Lord, was believed to have corresponded with Him. This tradition is based on various sources including 'Doctrine of Addai' (one of the earliest Syriac Christian writings, & the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius (who personally testified that he read the correspondence in the archives of Edessa). During the public ministry of our Lord, King Abgar who was suffering from an incurable disease, sent a letter reiterating his belief in the Lord & requesting Him to visit Edessa so that he could get cured. He also extended an invitation to the Lord to live there as he had heard about the squabbles of the Jews. Jesus replied that He was unable to visit at that time, but ensured that He would send one of His disciples. King Abgar is one of the very first who believed in Jesus without seeing Him & without doubting.

After the ascension of our Savior, St. Thaddeus one of the Seventy disciples, as instructed by the Lord, was sent to King Abgar. Thaddeus went to meet King Abgar carrying with him a square face-cloth which Christ used. The cloth had an image of Christ miraculously imprinted on it. When King Abgar held this relic, he was healed immediately. This cloth known as the ‘Mandylion’ of Christ, is the very first Holy icon. This icon was not created by man & therefore has the title 'Not made by Human Hands’ The king & his subjects became Christians. Edessa thus became the first Christian kingdom.

RSoH

Known as "Moses of Mesopotamia", Mor Ya`qub was the bishop of Nisibin from 308/9 A.D. till his death in AD 338. Mor Ya`qub has always been a prominent figure in the Syriac-speaking Church tradition. He acquired a reputation for great learning, ability and holiness. Little is known about his life; however, we know that he took a leading role in opposing the Arian heresy at the Council of Nicaea (325). He is honored as a malphono (i.e., theological doctor) by both the Syriac and Armenian Churches. Mor Ya`qub of Nisibin undertook the construction of a church building in Nisibin between 313 and 320. His relics were saved from the a Persian invasion and were send to Constantinople for safety around the year 970.

http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20James%20of%20nisibis.htm

Fixed

May 11th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Bosus & his sister St. Susan +388 along with their teacher St. Stephen, and St. Lewangina & the 11,000 martyrs of the villages of Beth Zabday according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Bosus & Mort Susan were twins who were the children of Aba Zarid the governor of Beth-Zabday region (Idil District of Sirnak province in modern day Turkey). Aba Zarid was a pagan & a persecutor of Christians. In the palace of Aba Zarid lived a Christian servant named Stephen. He secretly taught the siblings about Christ & guided them to become faithful Christians.

Once when their father Aba Zarid was away on a trip, the siblings secretly received baptism from a Christian named Lewangina from a nearby village. When their father returned, he made them worship & serve offering to the pagan idols. However, the two of them refused & left to Fil village. Their father was furious, but gave them time to forget Christ & return to paganism. The siblings would never leave Christianity, they escaped from Fil & headed to the village of Hedil. Furious, their father Aba Zarid chased them till the rocks of Hedil. He first slaughtered his daughter. Thus Mort Susan attained the crown of martyrdom. At the site where her blood flowed, a giant tree grew & it still exists today. Aba Zarid then murdered his son by the rocks. Thus Mor Bosus attained the crown of martyrdom. The village of Kefshenne (which means big rock) gets its name from the site of their martyrdom.

Seeing his children steadfast in their faith in Christ, Aba Zarid became even more enraged & spiteful towards Christians. On the same day, he ordered the mass slaughter of 11,000 Christian faithful in the valley of Roghulo ďGyhano. He also executed his servant Stephen the teacher of Christianity & Lewangina from whom the siblings received baptism. Thus on that day thousands attained the crown of martyrdom.

At the site of the martyrdom of Mor Bosus & Mort Shusan, a monastery (Dayro d-Mor Bosus) was built which still stands today in Hedil. Today there are not many Syriacs in Hedil. However, every year on May 11th, the faithful from nearby Miden town come by foot to the monastery to celebrate the feast of Mor Bosus & Mort Shushan along with the other martyrs of Beth Zabday region.

Many miracles are attributed to the intercession of the twins. The Monastery of Mor Bosus gave the Syriac Orthodox Church many saints, monks & prelates. Notable among them is the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Behnam Hadliyo (from Hidi/Hedel) of blessed memory who shepherded the Holy Church from 1445-1454 AD. Monk Dayroyo Dawod Tur-abdinoyo who brought the Girdle of St. Mary (Zunoro d-Yoldath Aloho) to Homs also hailed from the Monastery of Mor Bosus. A portion of the relics of Mor Bosus is kept in St. Mary's Church Homs, Syria. These relics were rediscover by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum of blessed memory in 1953.

Biography courtesy Kefshenne our village ܟܦܫܢܐ ܩܪܝܬ̥ܐ ܕܝܠܢ كفشننة page, adapted from the English translation by m'shamshono Fadi Gorgees

Oh Mor Bosus, Mort Shushan, along with Mor Stephanus, Mor Lewangina and the 11, 000 martyrs of Beth Zabday! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. May the cries of the Holy Martyrs be a refuge for us all. Amen.

On MASOCNA Calendar

May 11th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Timothy +97AD according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Timotheos was native of Lystra in Lycaonia. While his father was a gentile, his mother was of Jewish ancestry, who along with his maternal grandmother embraced Christianity, their faith being commended by St. Paul (2 Timothy 1:5). The Christian citizens praised the merits of Timothy when Paul visited them. The life of St. Timothy is intimately linked to the mission of St. Paul. St. Paul had Timothy circumcised to prepare him for the ministry among Jews. He then took Timothy with him, in order to aid him in propagating the doctrine of our Lord. Timothy assisted Paul through the whole course of his preaching. St. Paul calls him not only his dearly beloved son, but also his brother, the companion of his labors, & a man of God. Timothy accompanied St. Paul from Lystra & sailed to Macedonia, preaching at Philippi, Thessalonica & Berea. Paul had to leave Berea, but Timothy remained there along with Silas to administer the new converts.

Timothy was sent by St. Paul to Thessalonica, where persecution had left the believers distraught. He would then go to Corinth to report what transpired & the condition of the faithful there; prompting Paul to write his 1st epistle to the Thessalonians. Timothy accompanied Paul on his visits to Jerusalem followed by Ephesus where they spent 2 years. Paul then delegated Timotheos to Macedonia to prepare the faithful for his return to Greece. Afterwards, Timothy was directed to Corinth to propagate the true faith & reinvigorate the believers. Later in his ministry, Timothy would be imprisoned & suffered great persecution for his faith.

Timothy was ordained bishop by St. Paul at Ephesus. St. Timothy is always described as the first bishop of Ephesus in tradition & by Church historians. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to govern that Church, to oppose false teachers & to ordain priests, deacons, even bishops. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome & awaiting his execution, he wrote to Timothy desiring to see his friend & beloved brother in Christ one final time.

Timothy spoke out against the idolatrous practices of the Katagogia festival in honour of pagan deity Diana. While preaching the Gospel, the heathens beat him with clubs, dragged him through the streets & finally stoned him to death. Thus Mor Timotheos attained the crown of martyrdom. His body was taken by the faithful & entombed in a nearby mountain top. In the 4th century his holy relics were transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Timotheos sahdo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Ze'ora (Zaʿūra) was an anchorite whose life was memorialized by John of Ephesus. He was a stylite saint who famously replaced his teacher, another stylite, when the former was ready to retire. Zaʿūra also travelled to Constantinople in order to advocate for the cause of the Miaphysites before the Empress Theodora.

Life of Zeora: https://bit.ly/VitaZeora

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and had Galilee as his homeland; this is all that is known of him for certain according to the history of the Gospels. Concerning his apostolic work, certain say that he preached in Arabia and Persia, and especially in India, bringing to them the Gospel written by Saint Matthew, which had been written originally in Hebrew, and which was found there one hundred years later by Pantaenus, formerly a stoic philosopher and later an illustrious teacher of the Christian school in Alexandria (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., 5: 10). Other accounts say that he went to Armenia. According to some, he ended his life by being crucified, or by being flayed alive, in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis) of Armenia. This also confirms an ancient tradition preserved by the Armenians.

Saint Barnabas, one of the Seventy, was from Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi, and a fellow disciple with Paul under Gamaliel. He was called Joses, but was renamed Barnabas, which means "son of consolation," perhaps to distinguish him from the Joses called Barsabas and surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23). Saint Barnabas had a field, which he sold and brought the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). Before the conversion of Saul to Paul, it was Barnabas who was the leader of the Seventy Apostles, the first in preaching and chief spokesman. After Saul's vision on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas who joined him to the Apostles when the others, because of Saul's reputation as a persecutor of the Church, still feared him (Acts 9:26-27); again it was Saint Barnabas who conscripted Paul as a preacher, bringing him from Tarsus to Antioch after the stoning of Stephen, to assist in spreading the Gospel (Acts 11:25-26). Saint Barnabas preached the Gospel in many places, traveled together with Paul, and finally was stoned to death by the Jews in his native Cyprus

Evening:
St. Matthew 10: 16-33

Morning:
St. Luke 12: 1-12

Before Holy Qurbana:
Genesis 4: 3-12
Daniel 3: 14 -30

Holy Qurbana:
Acts 23 : 11 - 25
Romans 8: 31- 39
St. Mark 8:34-38, 13 : 9 - 13

Probably https://st-takla.org/Full-Free-Coptic-Books/Coptic-Synaxarium-or-Synaxarion_English/09-Bashans/Coptic-Calendar_02-Pashans.html#2.

BL14504

May 12th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Azazael +304 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Izozoel (Mar Azazael) is a holy saint who loudly professed that age is not a barrier to be a worthy testimonial for Christ's infinite love. It is believed that he was born in Samosata or Phrygia. His father was a very influential figure in the imperial court. After his parents' death, his uncle took care of him. Even in his heartbreak, he received the kindness & warmth of Jesus' love. Perhaps his uncle was a reason for his attraction to our Lord Jesus. The heart of Izozoel was filled with love & devotion to God. Along with his uncle, the holy saint began to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in the neighboring regions where they were noticed by the king. Historical records exist which attest to the arrival of Mor Izozoel & his uncle to Rome. But there are two traditions in this regard. As per the first belief, St. Azazael & his uncle came to Rome to proclaim the Gospel. The second tradition states that both of them came to Rome as directed by the Emperor.

Mor Izozoel was 14 years old when he came to Rome. The preaching of the saint & his uncle attracted many of the countrymen to the Christian faith, infuriating the emperor, who summoned them to Rome for trial. Emperor Maximian ordered him to abandon the faith. When St. Azazael refused, he was brutally tortured. But that night, the Lord healed & comforted him. The emperor was shocked to see the saint regained his health completely overnight. However the emperor's heart of stone did not soften. The Emperor attempted to tempt the saint, but it was all in vain. So he once again chose to torture Izozoel, but with even more brutality. The saint collapsed frequently. But every time the saint regained his health with the help of God's grace. Failing repeatedly, the emperor fumed with rage. Finally, he ordered to kill the saint. St. Azazael was viciously murdered at the age of fourteen (or fifteen) in accordance with the emperor's decree. Thus Mor Izozoel attained the crown of martyrdom. The faithful buried his relics. A large shrine was built there in AD550, & countless believers flocked there in veneration of the holy saint. The feast of Mor Izozoel is celebrated in the Syriac Orthodox Church on May 12th & August 12th.

In Western Christianity he is known as St. Pancras. It is believed that the King of Northumberland in Great Britain received a portion of saint's relics & built a church dedicated to the martyr. Additionally, a number of churches in London & surroundings are in the name of the saint. A well known Railway station in London, England is named after St. Pancras.

Though young in age, his love for the Lord & courage during persecution until his final martyrdom serves as an exemplary model for us all.

Biography courtesy the Malayalam work by Fr. Dr. Greger R. Kollanoor. Translated into English by Miss. Shylin.

https://urhotheway.com/2020/08/11/st-azazael/

Oh Mor Izozoel! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

May 12th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Epiphanius of Salamis +403 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Epiphanius was born in Besanduk village near Elethropolis, Palestine. Besanduk is in the neighbourhood of Gaza. While very young, St. Epiphanius followed a monastic life in Egypt. He was attracted to the ascetic life that followed the model & advice of St. Hilarion. He founded a monastery near Besanduk when he was in his twenties & stayed there for thirty years. He gained the ability to speak five languages; Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Coptic & Latin. St. Jerome called him ‘a pentaglot’ on account of this. Among his literary compositions 'Ancorates' & 'Panarion' are very important.

He was a close associate of Patriarch St. Paulinos of Antioch who took a stern stand against the heresies of Arius & protected the Nicene Creed. In his letter (against all heresies) to the believers in Arabia he clearly asserted his belief in ‘The virgin mother of God’. Priests & many others in Pamphilia sought his help to resist & defeat the heresies of Arius. Even though he did not attend the Synod convened at Constantinople in AD 381, the declaration of the decisions taken in that Synod was a verbatim declaration of the Creed that existed in the church of Salamis. St. Epiphanius also spoke vehemently against Origen, & described Origen as "the forefather of Arius’ heresies". His magnum opus work against various heresies is known as Panarion.

Epiphanius stressed the importance of the Church in his teachings. “The Church alone, he says, has received the content of tradition, & it is in her teaching & decision that the faithful finds the truth.” He teaches thus, ‘the Church is built upon the foundation of the unshaken faith of the rock, St.Peter.’ he died enroute to Salamis returning from Constantinople.

Biography Courtesy: "Martyrs, Saints, and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church"

Oh Mor Epiphanius! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

RSoH

May 13th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Aday according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Aday was the first Bishop of Edessa (Urhoy/Urfa). He is the twin brother of St. Thomas the Apostle. In the Syriac tradition, St. Aday is one of the 72 Disciples our Lord appointed as written in the gospel of St. Luke 10:1. He was one of the primary evangelists in the region of Edessa. The story of his evangelization in Edessa is intertwined with that of great King Abgar V of Edessa.

King Abgar V of Edessa fell ill during the reign of Emperor Tiberius Caesar. According to church historian Eusebius & as written in the Syriac work 'Doctrine of Mor Adai', King Abgar sent a letter to our Lord Jesus Christ inviting him to live in Edessa away from the persecution of the Jewish pharisees. This historical fact is also confirmed in the Syriac Orthodox prayers for Midlent (phelgo d'sawmo/pathinombu). The royal secretary Hannan delivered this letter by hand to Christ himself. In His reply, Christ declines the invitation, instead saying when His earthly mission is complete & He has ascended to to heaven, He promises to send one of His disciples to Edessa, who will heal the king & evangelize the whole kingdom so that they may receive eternal life. Hannan returns to Edessa with the letter and a portrait of Christ (first icon of our Lord in history).

After the Ascension of our Lord, Mor Aday is sent to Edessa as earlier promised by Christ to King Abgar. Mor Aday healed King Abgar of his leprosy & baptized him. Thus, Abgar became the first king to embrace Christianity & the Kingdom of Osroene (with Edessa as its capital) became the very first Christian nation.

St. Aday played a key role in the evangelization of Mesopotamia, southern Armenia & eastern parts of Syria.

Oh Mor Aday! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. May your intercession protect the Syriac Christian faithful in Mesopotamia. Amen.

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

RSoH

MASOCNA

Known as "Moses of Mesopotamia", Mor Ya`qub was the bishop of Nisibin from 308/9 A.D. till his death in AD 338. Mor Ya`qub has always been a prominent figure in the Syriac-speaking Church tradition. He acquired a reputation for great learning, ability and holiness. Little is known about his life; however, we know that he took a leading role in opposing the Arian heresy at the Council of Nicaea (325). He is honored as a malphono (i.e., theological doctor) by both the Syriac and Armenian Churches. Mor Ya`qub of Nisibin undertook the construction of a church building in Nisibin between 313 and 320. His relics were saved from the a Persian invasion and were send to Constantinople for safety around the year 970.

http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20James%20of%20nisibis.htm

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

Martyr

May 15th is the Feast of the Virgin Mary for the Crops (Hido d'Yoldath Aloho Hal S'heble) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

St. Mary is venerated with great devotion in the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. In addition to Feasts of the Virgin associated with the Lord & the Feast of her Nativity, there are three other Feasts that are celebrated by the faithful with much fervor.

Syriac poets called the 'Potters' (Quroyo) attribute setting these feasts of the Virgin Mary to St. John the Evangelist. Those poets are quoted saying: “With dew & drizzle the land of Ephesus was sprinkled when St. John brought to it the messages of the Virgin Mary commanding that the blessed Feasts of the Virgin be celebrated three times a year. The Feast of the Virgin Mary of the sowing is in January. In May is the Feast of the Virgin Mary for blessing the crops & in August is her Feast of the blessing of the vineyards, which are the symbol of the mystery of life”.

These three Feasts are on the fifteenth day of the three aforementioned months:

1) January 15: Sowing (zar'he, ܙܪ̈ܥܐ)
2) May 15: Crops (s'heble, ܫܒ̈ܠܐ), from which the wheat is processed into bread. This bread is used for the celebration of the Holy Qurbono (the lahmo).
3) August 15: Grapevine (sate, ܣ̈ܬܐ), from which comes the wine. This wine is used for the Divine Eucharistic celebration. This feast was replaced by the Dormition (shunoyo).

The Feast of the Virgin Mary for the Crops originated as an agricultural feast. It arose from the needs of the farmers to seek God's help for a fruitful harvest. The farmers were at the mercy of the elements and depended upon sufficient rain and good weather. As a result they sought God's assistance and begged the intercession of Mary for their crops. Christ our Lord, gives life to the world. Through the harvest we receive the gifts of bread and wine which become for us the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. St. Ephrem the Syrian says, "Mary became the field who received the grain of wheat in her womb. This grain of wheat is Jesus Christ our Lord, who gives life to the world."

The Holy Bible readings from the Church Lectionary:

Evening:
St. Mark 4:26-29

Morning:
St. Matthew 23:10-13

Holy Qurbono:
Acts 18:12-27
II Corinthians 9:1-15
St. Luke 6:1-5

Tone of the Day: 1

Arabic article about Hido d'Yoldath Aloho Hal S'heble by late His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I of blessed memory: https://goo.gl/0mevQQ

English Article about the intercession of St Mary by late HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I of blessed memory: https://goo.gl/YwmsEo

Article about the tradition of Malankara Nasrani agriculturalists and the harvest feast: https://goo.gl/l4ePrT

Fixed Feast

This Monday May 15th is the commemoration of the Qartmin father Mor Shmuel (+409) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Shmuel is one of the founders of Qartmin Monastery now known as Mor Gabriel Monastery (Dayro d-Mor Gabriel /Deyrulmur) in Tur Abdin Turkey.

Biography of Mor Shmuel: http://soc-wus.org/ourchurch/st.%20shmuel.htm

Life of St. Samuel of Eshtin: http://bit.ly/MorShmuel

On MASOCNA Calendar

May 16th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Andrew the Holy Apostle +60 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Andrayos Sleeho, the brother of St. Peter, was a native of the town of Bethsaida in Galilee, & a fisherman by profession. Being first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, he later joined Jesus Christ, bringing to Him his elder brother Simon, with whom he became a member of the Holy Apostles.

Tradition states that he travelled in Jordan, Arabia, Phoenicia (modern Lebanon) Osreon (South eastern Turkey) & preached the Gospel among people who spoke Armenian language. Besides that he travelled across Cappodocia, Bithynia, Galatia around the Black sea & went to Acacia. It is even believed that he carried the Gospel as far as Russia & Poland, & that he preached at Byzantium.

He is said to have been martyred by crucifixion as he precipitated the anger of the Roman provincial Governor. When he reached Patras/Patrae in Achaia/Acaia, he heard the Governor’s wife Maxilla (Maximilla) was on her deathbed. As he arrived at their palace he found Aegeates, the Governor with a drawn sword ready to kill himself after the imminent death of his wife. As St. Andrew prayed she recovered & accepted Jesus Christ as her saviour. Her brother-in-law also accepted the Christian belief. The Governor was furious as his brother & wife converted to Christianity & consequently Andrew was imprisoned.

It is recorded that a debate ensued as St. Andrew spread the true faith & spoke against the worship of idols & during the trial he was condemned to be crucified. In prison he influenced other prisoners & many repented. The Governor on hearing about this, issued orders to crucify him.

When Andrew saw the cross made of olive wood in the shape of ‘X‘ (St. Andrew's Cross) he hugged it with great happiness. He prayed, “May Jesus who saved me through the Cross accept me now by the same cross.” He was not nailed but bound to the cross tightly & the cross was made to stand erect. He suffered hunger, thirst & intense pain for two days in the same posture. Even in the midst of his agony he was preaching the word of God. Half an hour before his ordeal came to an end his face lit up, then his soul departed for its heavenly abode. Thus Mor Andrayos attained the crown of martyrdom. He was entombed in Patras at the order of Maxilla. The relics of the saint was later taken to Constantinople in 357, & deposited in the church of the Holy Apostles, built by Constantine the Great.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Andrayos Sleeho! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Ascetic living in the wilderness

Vat. LXIX

Disciple of St. Pachomius the Great

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

May 17th is the anniversary of the demise of Mor Dionysius III (Punnathra) +1825

Mor Dionysius III was the Malankara Metropolitan until his demise. He was a member of Kallumgathara Church, & after ordination became its Vicar. He was consecrated as successor to Mor Dionysius II (Pulikkottil Joseph I). Mor Dionysius III had to contend with the CMS missionaries of the Anglican Church. He also continued the steps his predecessor took to establish a seminary for the Jacobite Syrians.

In 1821 Mor Dionysius III wrote a letter addressed to Lord Gambier (President of CMS) & Bishop Henry of the Anglican Church. In 1823, the same letter, which was translated from Syriac, was also published in "The Christian Journal and Literary Register" in New York. Some excerpts from the letter are as follows,

"Mar Dionysius, metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrians in Malabar, subject to the authority of our father, Mar Ignatius, patriarch, who presides in the apostolic see of Antioch of Syria, beloved of the Messiah.

...We who are called Syrian-Jacobites, and reside in the land of Malabar, even from the times of Mar Thomas the holy apostle until the wall of Cochin was taken in the reign of king Purgis, kept the true faith according to the manner of the Syrian Jacobites, of real glory, without division or confusion. But by the power of the Franks our Jacobite Syrian fathers and leaders were prohibited from coming from Antioch.

...came to us some holy Jacobite Syrian fathers from Antioch who turned us to our true ancient faith and set up a high priest for us."

The words of Mor Dionysius III in 1821, puts to rest the preposterous claims of those who say the Malankara Church was forcefully brought under Antioch only after the Mulanthuruthy Synod of 1876.

After serving the Malankara Church, Mor Dionysius III departed for the heavenly abode & his mortal remains were interred in Cheriyapally Kottayam.

Illustration of Mor Dionysius only for artistic purposes.

Oh Mor Dionysius III! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Among the Seventy Two (72) Disciples

Usually commemorated along with St. Junia.

RSoH

May 17th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Jacob, the dismembered/mutilated +422 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo (St. Jacob the Persian or St. Jacob Intercisus) who was a Persian, lived in the town of Lopoth with his parents. The king of the country, Guharon, had great appreciation for Yac'ub. On knowing that he was a Christian, the king tried to dissuade him from following his belief by tempting him with gifts. This caused Yac'ub to turn away from God. Mor Yac'ub's parents appealed to him through a letter not to give up the true faith, Christianity. He repented & returned to the Christian belief.

After the death of King Guharon, his son Yazdegerd was informed about his change of heart & the new king questioned Yac'ub about it. He informed the king, “Our Saviour has promised a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God” (John 16:2). Your feeling that you respect God is itself a folly. The king was furious listening to him & ordered his ministers to decide a punishment for him. This was the verdict, “He should not be killed all of a sudden. First his fingers, toes, then his hands, legs & hip should be severed. He should be beheaded after being dismembered thus”. Many believers were grieved to hear this verdict. They prayed, ”Oh God the mighty, strengthen him, this servant of yours to escape from this trial with success.”

Yac'ub requested some time for prayer before the callous punishment was implemented. He knelt down turning towards the east & prayed, "Oh God, please listen to this weak servant. Strengthen me at this moment. Bless me to be a friend & comforter to those who love you & receive persecution in your name.” The executioners then chopped off his fingers & toes. He kept on praying even while enduring severe pain. The tormentors slowly cut off his feet, then his lower limbs, followed by his hands and upper limbs. But St. Jacob was not dismayed instead he boldly exclaimed, "I will praise God till my last breath.” Finally, he was decapitated by the persecutors. Thus Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo attained the crown of martyrdom. Faithful Christian believers carried off his body & buried it while reciting Psalm 51.

Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

Vat. LXIX

Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism

RSoH

Vat. LXIX

Martyrs who suffered under Decius

RSoH

RSoH

Loranṭyos (Laurence) and Agrippa were companions and martyrs under Diocletian. Agrippa was a prefect of Syria who had converted to the faith in Mesopotamia. Martyred together with twelve thousand.

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

Luke 6:20-31

Luke 6:12-23

May 20th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Gregorios Dodo +609 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Dodo was born in Sidos, a village in Iraq. His parents Simon and Helen were wealthy & well known for their strong faith. They were childless for a long time. Their faith led them to a monastery in Mt. Tabriz, Iraq. They stayed with the abbot Mor David spending their days & nights in prayers. Dodho was born because of their fervent prayers. Mor David baptized him & then the family returned to their village.

His parents wished for him to get married, but Dodo refused, saying he wanted to dedicate his life for the Lord. He carried the Bible always with him, read & meditated upon it. After the death of his parents, he distributed all their earnings and wealth among the poor. He followed literally, what Jesus had taught. “If you will be perfect, go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21)

Dodo went to Mor David’s monastery. He observed rigorous penance. He desired to serve God leading a virtuous life. On Mount Tabriz, he lived a solitary life for twelve years. The Abbot saw in a dream that Dodo’s life was in danger and set out in search of him. He was brought back to the monastery severely ill.

After regaining his health, he visited the Holy land. Upon his return he departed to a different place, to a scary valley known as "ܪܓܘܠܐ ܕܓܗܢܐ Hell Valley" overlooked by the village of Esfes, 7 Kilometers South West of the town of Azekh (now Idil, Turkey). It was called "Hell Valley" because of the depth of the valley and it was an area fill of thieves and outlaws who robbed every person passing through that location. Dodo called upon his uncle and forty hermits and stayed with them. With everyone’s cooperation, he could construct a church there. The village soon became a beautiful place to live.

When the metropolitan of Tigris passed away in A.D. 589, the Patriarch Peter III (A.D. 581 – 591) nominated Dodo as his successor. Even though he tried to evade it he had to accept the position and was consecrated under the name Mor Gregorius. As a Metropolitan, he ordained one thousand three hundred Priests and one thousand seven hundred Deacons.

Mor Gregorius Dodo passed away in A.D. 609. His burial service conducted at Tigris Cathedral was attended by an enormous crowd of believers and one thousand eight hundred priests.

Twenty years later, his uncle St. Isaac saw St. Dodo in a dream telling him to move his remains out of Takrit to Turabdin (Turkey) region because soon there won't be any Christian left in that area. So Mor Isaac, transferred his relics from Tigristo Thurabdin in A.D. 629 and it was interred at Basibrin, Turkey. A church was constructed over his tomb.

Biography courtesy, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Gregorios Dodo plead for us before God's throne of grace! May your intercession bring forth many miracles in our lives. Amen

http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20Dodo.htm

The Martyrs Thallelaeus, Alexander, and Asterius lived during the reign of Numerian (283-284).

Disciple of Abba Agathon

Vat. LXIX

Chosroes (Khusrau) I

Paris 146 and Vat LXIX

May 21st is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. King Constantine the Great +337 and his mother St. Helena +328 according the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Constantine the Great was the son of Flavius Constantius & Helena. He was brought up in Drepanum his mother’s birthplace.

With his Edict of Milan in A.D. 313, the three-centuries-long persecution came to an end. The external threat of the persecution by the Roman government ended However the internal threat of the Arian heresy sprung forth. Constantine convened the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea to combat the Arian heresy in 325AD. The council repudiated the Arian heresy and formulated the statement of faith known as "The Nicene Creed"

Constantine’s adherence to Christianity was closely associated with his rise to power. He fought the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (according to Eusebius, during the campaign against Maxentius) in the name of the Christian God, having received instructions in a dream to paint the Christian monogram (Cross) on his troops’ shields to invoke the help of Christ. In the Syriac Orthodox Church the prayers on the feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September allude to this event. In addition the Sh'himo prayers of Friday say, "May the cross of light that was shown to Constantine in the sky be a high wall to the churches and the monasteries."

He issued numerous laws relating to Christian practices. He extended several privileges to the clergy. Emperor Constantine died on 21 May A.D. 337 at Ancryona, Izmit, Turkey. Shortly before his death, he was baptised by Eusebius of Nicomedia. After his baptism he refused to wear the imperial purple and died wearing the white baptismal robe. He was entombed in the church of the Holy Apostles.

Mort Queen Helena the mother of St. King Constantine was born in Drepanum. She married Constantine Chlorus, who after the birth of Constantine, later divorced her for political reasons. Helen embraced Christianity at the instance of Constantine at the age of 63.

Queen Helen was very considerate to the poor and needy. Queen Helen was eager to discover the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This is evident from the hymn recited during the procession of MidLent (phelgo d-sawmo/paathinombu):

Queen Helen came Jerusalem – From Rome, Royal town
To worship the Cross on which – Jesus was hanged on
She called together – All the Jews she knew
Asked them to show her – Place of Jesus Cross
They told her that they got a - Leading commander
If you ask him, he will show – Place of Jesus Cross
Halleluiah.. Vu .. Halleluiah….

Three crosses were discovered on March 24 while preparing the site for constructing the church at Golgotha. In the Sh'himo The Bo’outho of Mor Yacoub of Sarug (the Prayer of the third hour for Friday) describes the anecdote vividly:

“Judas stood up and girded his loins manfully and dug and found three crosses which lay together; the mother of the king was sad because of this, because she did not know which was the cross of the Son of God.

Judas said to her: do not be grieved, blessed one, the Lord lives who will show you which is his cross. The Father was pleased to show the cross of light by means of a dead youth, who was being accompanied on the way to the grave.

When they placed them one after the other on the dead man, the people cried: living cross, show your power; the dead man saw the cross of light and rose from the bier and all who saw him gave glory to him who raised him up”

The portions of this cross were considered to be very precious and prelates used pieces of this cross in their handcross during the fourth century. A portion of the cross is inserted in the handcross of St. Gregorius Abdul Jaleel +1671 of North Paravur.

The last days of Queen Helen were spent at Palestine and her dead body was taken to Rome when she passed.

Biographies courtesy "Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church"

Oh Mor Constantine and Morth Helena plead for us before God's throne of grace! May the power of the true Holy Cross protect us from the evil one and all his forces. Amen

RSoH

A native of Gaza, Timotheos was arrested and incarcerated in this city during the second year of the Diocletianic persecution (= 305). After undergoing multiple tortures, but still refusing to offer sacrifice, he was condemned to death by slow fire and executed in the same city. Martyr

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

In the early Syriac tradition, there were two separate feasts for the Holy Cross, one on May 22 for the Discovery and another on September 14 for the Exaltation.

BL17134

The nephew of the Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit. he suffered together with his brothers Eutropius and Kleonikos during the persecution of the emperor Maximian Galerius

RSoH

May 22nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Jude the Apostle according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

St. Jude, also known as Labbaeus bears the surname Thaddeus, & was the son of James. (translated correctly in the Syriac Peshito of Luke 6:16 & Acts 1:13. It is incorrectly translated to brother of James in other versions)

He preached in Samaria, Mesopotamia & Persia where he reunited with fellow Apostle St. Simon.

He is the Patron of the Armenian Orthodox Church along with St. Bartholomew.

He attained martyrdom along with St. Simon.

Oh St. Jude, plead for us before God's throne of grace! Amen.

RSoH

of Nitria

Vat. LXIX

Martyr and opponent of Arianism

RSoH

May 24th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Simon the Stylite +459 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Mor Shem'un Destonoyo was born in the village of Sesan, a place on the border of Cicilia & Syria in 392AD. His father's name was John & his mother's name was Martha. Before his mother had conceived of him, St. John the Baptist appeared to her in a dream & told her of her conception & what her son would become. Simon was a shepherd at a young age. While in the fields with his flock, an angel of the Lord appeared in a vision. Later, he disposed of his properties & the assets of his aunt, which had been entrusted to him. He distributed part of the proceeds among the poor & needy. The remaining assets he took to the monastery of Eusebona at Tell ‘Ada, situated between Antioch & Alleppo. He joined the monastery with his brother Shemse when he was in the teens.

Later, he dug a pit of about 4 ft in the garden & stood in the pit for about two months. After the midnight prayer he used to stand with a big stone hung around his neck. He also stood on a roller to resist sleep in the night. His fellow hermits were jealous about these practices of Simon & raised some false accusations against him. Thus, he left the monastery of Eusebona. The head of the monastery gave him four coins which he refused to accept saying, “May your prayers be the viaticum for me.” Mor Shem'un then reached the village of Telanissos(modern day Taladah), Deir Samaan. He sat beneath a tree & prayed, “O God, My Lord, by Thy will you protected me from all adversities. Help & guide me until I reach the heavenly abode.” He then reached the nearby Monastery of Morris. He healed several sick people while staying in this monastery. St. Simon was in the habit of observing the forty-day lent in all its seriousness. During the forty-day lent he did not eat anything. In AD423, he prepared a platform of about 4 ft. high & stood on it for about five years. Mor Shem'un went around the nearby villages to preach the Gospel. Angels, prophets Elijah & Moses appeared to him. Several miracles happened through the prayers of St. Simon. He later left the Monastery of Morris, to a nearby hilltop.

St. Simon spent about forty years on a pillar upon the hilltop. He prayed, “O Lord, my God, let not the hands of mortal men be necessary for my help. Let not me step down from this pillar to see men on earth. Help me O Lord to end my life on this pillar on which I ascended by your grace. According to Thy will, accompany the soul of Thy servant from this place.” Satan became envious of the saint for all his good deeds. St. Simon developed ulcers which caused him to suffer for 9 months. Emperor Theodosius sent 3 bishops to make St. Simon step down, but he refused. Instead, he spent his time in prayer & fasting. The Saint asked Christ to supply him with water, & a spring of water sprang up at the foot of the pillar. He preached to many people, taught them, & brought many back to the knowledge of Christ. He would write letters of instruction to those gathered. After his death in 459AD, his body was taken to Antioch in great veneration & entombed in a church there.

While Chalcedonians claim him to be a supporter of Chalcedon, Syriac letters in the British Museum written by Mor Shem'un Destonoyo indicate that he was a Miaphysite & opposed the result of the Council of Chalcedon in 451AD.

He is honored in the 5th Dypthic (Thubden d-Qadishe) every Sunday in the Syriac Orthodox Church.

A large complex was built in his honour comprising of 4 separate cathedrals with the pillar of Mor Shem'un as the central monument. Now known as Qalat Siman. It was a prominent pilgrimage site. It suffered major damage following an earthquake. Later it was sacked following the Muslim conquest of Syria. In 2011 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2012 it was taken over by terrorists. It was again heavily damaged by air strikes in 2016.

Biography adapted from, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'

Oh Mor Shem'un Destonoyo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.

A Defense of the Orthodoxy of St. Simon the Stylite: http://bit.ly/3t6L3PJ

Hymns of St. Severus of Antioch on St. Simon the Stylite:

"Come, hear, and I will tell you"
The sublime and great height of the life of Simeon the just and righteous brings into the mind of believers the words of the Lord which he spoke, "A city that is I set upon the top of a hill cannot be hid". For by ascending to a sublime height of virtues he showed this clearly and by means of his stand­ing on the column, signifying that he is "a pillar and foundation of the truth" as it is written; drawing both unbelievers and barbarians to godliness, and those who were sitting in the darkness of error to the light of knowledge, like a brightly-shining star by its rising: by whose prayers, Saviour of all, have pity and mercy upon us.

Vat. LXIX

https://www.copticchurch.net/synaxarium/8_22.html?lang=en#4

Vat. LXIX

Martyr and Patriarch

The wonder-working monk Daniel the Doctor, a disciple of Mar Awgin, also healed Miles, the son of the governor of Tel Ḥesh. Miles was consecrated Bishop of Tel Ḥesh and was stoned to death under Shapur.

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

Among the Seventy Two (72) Disciples

RSoH

Abba Poemon

Paris 146 and Vat. LXIX

In hagiography: Sergius of the Barren Mountain (Jebel Butman/al-Jabal al-Qāḥil) was a monk who founded a monastery known as the Suspended Monastery (Dayr al-Muʿallaq). It became the residence of the bishops of Balad.

Vat. LXIX