Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” in Novokuibyshevsktranslated

On Sunday, September 20, Metropolitan Theodosius of Samara and Novokuybyshevsk led the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” in Novokuybyshevsk. His Eminence was served by the clergy of the cathedral and the clergy of the Samara Metropolis. On this day, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church commemorates the martyr Sozont. Saint Sozont was born in Lycaonia and was a shepherd. Reading the Holy Scriptures, he shared his knowledge about the One God with other shepherds and led many to faith in Christ and acceptance of Holy Baptism. One night the saint had a vision calling him to martyrdom. Sozont went to the city of Pompeopolis in Cilicia, where a pagan festival was being prepared at that time. Entering the church, he broke off the hand of the golden idol, crushed it and distributed the gold to the poor.

When, because of what had happened, the authorities began to interrogate and torture innocent people, Saint Sozont voluntarily appeared before the ruler and confessed to what he had done, testifying to the powerlessness of the pagan gods and professing faith in Christ. After cruel torment, the saint gave up his soul to the Lord. They intended to burn his body, but heavy rain began to extinguish the fire. At night...