The PriestMartyr Polychronios, Bishop of Babylon, Presbyters Parmenias, Elimos and Chrysotelos, Deacons Luke and Muko, Holy Persian Prince-Martyrs Abdones and Sennis, and the Holy Martyrs Olympios and Maximos Commemorated on July 30 The PriestMartyr
Polychronios, Bishop of Babylon, Presbyters Parmenias, Elimos and Chrysotelos,
Deacons Luke and Muko, Holy Persian Prince-Martyrs Abdones and Sennis, and the
Holy Martyrs Olympios and Maximos suffered during the III Century during a
time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Decius (249-251).
Decius, having gained a victory over the Persians and having seized territories
from them, found there many a Christian and he began a persecution against
them. The Babylonian bishop, Saint Polychronios, his presbyters Parmenias,
Elimos, Chrysotelos and two deacons, Luke and Muko, were arrested and brought
to the emperor, who commanded them to offer sacrifice to idols. But Saint
Polychronios boldly replied to Decius: "We do offer ourselves in sacrifice
to our Lord Jesus Christ, but your insignificant idols, wrought by human hands,
we shalt never worship". For these words the enraged Decius had the confessors
thrown into prison. At a second interrogation Saint Polychronios stood silent.
Thereupon Decius said to the presbyters: "Your leader is voiceless".
Saint Parmenias retorted: "The holy bishop is not without voice, but he
doth not wish to defile his pure lips and "cast pearls before
swine"" (Mt. 7: 6). In a rage Decius commanded the tongue of Saint
Parmenias to be cut out for these words. In spite of this happening, Parmenias,
in turning to Saint Polychronios, clearly uttered the words: "Pray thou
for me, father, for I behold upon thee the Holy Spirit". By order of
Decius they began to strike the holy Bishop Polychronios about the mouth with
stones, and he, lifting up his eyes to heaven, gave up the spirit. They left
his body laying there afront the pagan-temple of Saturn. By night there came
the two Persian princes, Abdones and Sennis, secret Christians, and they buried
the body of the holy martyr along the city walls. © 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos. |
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