August 14: Feast of Saint Simeon the New Martyr of Trebizondtranslated

Today, August 14, our Holy Church introduces us with fasting and spiritual preparation to the eve of the Dormition of the Virgin and the memory of the prophet Micah, the Martyr Marcellus of Apameia of Syria and the Neomartyr Simeon of Trebizond (†1653).

By LAMBROS K. SKONTZOU, Theologian - Professor

The martyred Pontus also gave a series of heroic New Martyrs to the Church and the Nation, who straightened their stature in the barbaric non-religious Ottomanism and defended the holy and innocent faith of Christ and at the same time expressed the resistance of the suffering Romanity. One of them was the holy Neomartyr Simeon the Trebizond the Chrysochous.

He was born in Trebizond, Pontus, at the beginning of the 17th century to pious Orthodox Christian parents, who inspired him with faith in Christ the Savior and taught him virtue and an unshakable attitude. Let us not forget that Pontus, this ancient cradle of Hellenism, was targeted by many and varied barbarians. Pontic Hellenism is one of the most painful parts of our national body. Despite all their adventures, however, they stubbornly kept their national consciousness...