October 22: Saint Averkios, Bishop of Hierapolistranslated

Today, October 22, Saint Averkios, Bishop of Hierapolis, who lived at the end of the 2nd century, is celebrated. Also, our Church honors the memory of Agios Eulalios Lambousis, of the province of Kyrenia, and the Holy Martyrs Alexander, Heraklion, Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotis and Glyceria, who professed faith in Christ until death. His blameless life and the fruitfulness of his teaching motivated the flock to force him to become bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia. The position did not diminish the zeal of Averkios. He even said that it is not enough for someone to look like a prince, but also to actually be one.

That is, to increase his ministry and labors. Because according to the Gospel, "if he wills, he is first, be last of all and always deacon" (Gospel of Mark, i. 35), which means, if one wants to be first in honor, he must, by his humility towards others, become the last of all and the servant of all through the exercise of love.

And Averkios put this order into practice in his life. That is why God gave him the gift of performing many miracles. He cured the daughter of the king of Rome, from a wicked demon. He poured out hot water from the earth and many more...