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Holy sacred. Anfima, ep. Nicomedia, and with him St. Muchch. Theodil, deacon, Glyceria the presbyter, Dorotheus, Mardonia, Mygdonia, Petra, Indisa, Gorgonia, Zenon, Domna the virgin, Agathia and Theophila - virgins and Euthymius Anthimus, elected bishop of his native city of Nicomedia, took over the leadership of the Church at a difficult time, especially for the Nicomedia Christians, since they were predominantly subject to the persecution instituted at that time by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, who lived mostly in Nicomedia. When a fire occurred that destroyed part of the imperial palace, and which was attributed to the Christians, an order was issued to exterminate mercilessly and by all means possible those who were recognized as dangerous enemies of the state. On the very feast of the Nativity of Christ, up to 20,000 Christians were burned in one church in Nicomedia. The shepherds of the Church were mainly persecuted, and therefore measures were taken to search for Anthimus, who, by the special inspiration of God, was at that time in a nearby village, from where he sent written exhortations to strengthen and console his distressed flock. Having learned of his whereabouts, the persecutors sent soldiers to bring him to Nicodemus. When they reached the village where Anfim was, they met him and asked him: where is the Christian teacher Anfim hiding here? “Come into my house and rest,” the bishop answered them, realizing that the time had come for his exploit, “I will show you where the one you are looking for is hiding... And having received those who came to take him into his house, Anfim cordially treated them and then said to them: I am that Bishop Anfim for whom you were sent, take me and lead me to those who sent you. “Touched by the kindness of the venerable old man, who so warmly received them, the soldiers were embarrassed and did not dare to take him... “Try to hide,” they suggested to him, “we will say that we could not find you anywhere...” “No,” the saint answered them, “it is a great sin before God to act against the truth; It is criminal to deceive anyone, especially one’s king, and to allow deception in the performance of one’s duty. Fulfill what was entrusted to you honestly, you are not to blame for fulfilling the illegal assignment entrusted to you... - And Anfim set off with the soldiers. On the way, he talked with them and had such an effect on their simple hearts that during the journey itself, approaching one river, they wished to immediately be baptized. Anthimus, appearing before the persecutors, firmly confessed the faith and with the same firmness endured all the tortures and, finally, was beheaded with a sword 10. Around the same time (302–303) the following suffered: presbyter Glycerius, who boldly objected to Maximian’s threat to exterminate the Christian name, was burned after torture; Zinon the governor, who publicly denounced the vanity of idolatry, was beheaded after torture; Theophilus, who brought comforting messages from Bishop Anthimus to Christian prisoners, is killed with stones and arrows; Dorotheus, Italian prepositus - beheaded with a sword; Mardonius - burned; Mygdonius, buried alive in the ground; Indis - the eunuch, Gorgonius and Peter the bed - were thrown into the sea; Maximian's court servants died from various torments. Three holy virgins: Agathia - abbess of hermits, Domna - before baptism, a priestess of the goddess Cetsera, after baptism, which she received from St. Cyril, Bishop of Nicomedia, predecessor of St. Anthima, a reader of the holy martyrs, suffered martyrdom for 14 years, and Theophilus and, finally, Euthymius were beheaded with the sword. (Monument of these holy martyrs and martyrs for the second time - December 28th). Holy Martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia And childhood did not save us from persecution during the terrible persecution under Docletian. This is how nine-year-old Vasilisa, who stood firm in her confession of the faith of Christ, suffered when, as a Christian, she was presented to the court of the persecutor Hegemon Alexander in Nicomedia. But, amazed by the unshakable firmness of the child, and by many signs of the supernatural intercession of the Supreme Being for her, who kept Vasilisa unharmed both among the fire and among the animals, the hegemon himself believed in the true God, the Almighty. - “This is God’s work!” he exclaimed, enlightened by the miracles that took place in his eyes while Vasilisa was being tortured at his command, and, having received St. baptism, became a true Christian. Having escaped death, Vasilisa, who had accomplished the feat of martyrdom, died peacefully in 309. St. Thebes, a deaconess who served the Church in Cenchrea, Corinthian village. About Thebe, through which St. Ap. Paul delivered his letter to the Romans, he mentions in this letter: “I present to you Phoebe our sister, a deaconess of the Church of Cenchreae; accept her for the Lord, as is fitting for saints, and help her whatever she needs from you, for she has been a helper to many and to myself” (Romans XVI, 1-2). † Memory of Blessed John Vlasat, Rostov In the Rostov Church of St. Vlasy rest under the cover of the relics of Blessed John Vlasy. On his tomb lie a silver cross and a psalter in Latin. On the last one it is written: “in l. 7089 (1580) September 3, into the kingdom of great. Mr. and led. book Ioanna Vas. In the God-saved city of Rostov, the saint of God John Vlasaty reposed and was buried in the church of St. sacred martyr Vlasiya, in Zarova. From his tomb healings are given to the sick who come in faith. In l. 1702 into the reign of Led. state c. and c. book Peter Alekseevich, on the 2nd week of Lent, March 1st, he came to Rostov, his Eminence. Archbishop Dmitry and taking the throne of the Metropolis of Rostov and Yaroslavl. Blessed from the time of his repose. John the Hairy and the Merciful, even hitherto on his tomb this little book, very old, the psalter of David in the Latin dialect, the saint of God, praying to God, honoring; and seeing her old and torn, Rev. Metropolitan Dimitri ordered it to be re-bound; updating the packs on the coffin of the blessed one. Lay John down so that he may lie forever in the last summer.” So honored was the blessed one. John St. Dimitri. If he could read the Latin psalter, then this, at that time, meant that he received the best education and was not of ordinary rank. At that time, officials in Russia who served under the embassy command knew foreign languages. According to the RCP. life, blessed John labored in Rostov, but where did he come from and who was he? – it leaves in the unknown. Due to the circumstances of the time of the Terrible Tsar, it is very likely that he fled from Moscow from the horrors of Grozny in order to serve the Lord in silence and obscurity. He lived in Rostov, it is said in his short life, in the form of a holy fool, enduring needs and sorrows; not having his own home and coming only from time to time to rest, either to one elderly widow or to his confessor, the All Saints Priest Peter, he spent time in mental prayer and attention to his soul. From the life of Irinarch of Rostov it is clear that Blessed. John, himself growing in spiritual life, also gave advice to others about spiritual life; This is how he consoled Irinarch, who was expelled from the monastery. After many exploits, he died peacefully on September 3, 1580. and, in accordance with his will, he was buried behind the altar of the Blasius Church by the widow and confessor. Soon after his death, beneficial healings began to flow from his tomb. Rostov Metropolitan Kirill, being in advanced years, remained for a long time without the use of his legs and arms; Having heard about the miracles of the blessed one, he ordered himself to be carried to his grave and here, after prayer, he received healing. This was a year and a half before his death and, therefore, in 1618. Blessed memory. John is locally revered on the day of his death and on November 12, 11. St. new Polyodora, who suffered from the Turks for his faith in New Ephesus in 1794 (see “Christian Martyr” by Solovyov, p. 244). In memory of St. Ep. Anthima, two churches were built by the emperors Justinian and Leo the Great: one on the opposite bank of the Horn, and the other near Xirocircus. Yaroslav. diocesan led 1860 No. 26. 1862 No. 18. 19. RKP. Saints: “Holy and blessed John, the fool for Christ’s sake, reposed in l. 7089 Sep. 3 d."