† Translation of the relics of Apostle Andrew to Iași; Martyrs Carpus, Papylus, Agathadorus, and Agathonica, at Pergamum

Orthodox Calendar, October 13 † Translation of the relics of Apostle Andrew to Iași The relics of Saint Apostle Andrew, the First-Called, were for the first time in Romania in 1996.

Troparion of Apostle Andrew, Tone 4:

Andrew, first-called of the Apostles / and brother of the foremost disciple, / entreat the Master of all / to grant peace to the world / and to our souls great mercy.

Martyrs Carpus, Papyrus, Agathodorus, and Agathonike They suffered at Pergamum during the persecution of Decius in the third century.

The governor of the district where the saints lived discovered that Carpus and Papylus did not celebrate the pagan festivals. He ordered that the transgressors be arrested and persuaded to accept the Roman pagan religion.

The saints replied that they would never worship false gods. The judge then ordered them to be bound in iron chains and led through the city, and then to be tied to horses and dragged to the nearby city of Sardis.

Agathodorus and Agathonike voluntarily followed after Carpus and Papylus. Saint Agathonike was choked to death with ox sinews and Saints Carpus, Papylus and Agathodorus were beheaded in Sardis.

During his life Saint…