Память святого мученика Саввы Стратилата и с ним семидесяти воинов

The holy martyr Savvas was a Gothian by origin in 2740 and lived during the reign of Emperor Aurelian in 2741 in Rome. He had the rank of stratilate, i.e. was a commander and was faithful and pleasing to the Heavenly King, our Lord Jesus Christ. He often visited those suffering in prison for the name of Christ, provided them with help from his wealth, strengthened them to patiently endure suffering and excited them to courageous deeds. Such a virtuous life was so pleasing to God that He, for the sake of the saint’s purity and fasting, gave him power over demons, and he cast out unclean spirits from people. Soon it was reported to the king that Saint Sava was a Christian, and he was brought to the king for interrogation. Here he fearlessly confessed Christ and, untying his military belt, threw it away, rejecting the rank of governor, at the same time demonstrating his readiness to undergo any kind of torment for the name of Christ. Then, by order of the tormentor, the saint was hanged and brutally beaten, then burned with fire and finally thrown into a cauldron with boiling tar. But the saint, protected by the invisible power of God, remained unharmed and came out of the cauldron unharmed. Seeing this miracle, seventy soldiers who were here believed in Christ and loudly confessed themselves to be Christians. Immediately, by order of the tormentor, they were beheaded with a sword and thus received the crown of martyrdom, as if from the hands of Christ Himself. Saint Sava was imprisoned and there he was honored with Divine vision and help: when he prayed at midnight, Christ appeared to him, shining upon him with the light of His glory and admonishing him not to be afraid of torment, but to fearlessly go to his feat. And when Savva was brought in for interrogation for the second time and, being forced to worship idols - sometimes by caresses, sometimes by persuasion, sometimes by cruel tortures, did not obey the tormentors, they threw him into the river, where he drowned and ended the feat of his martyrdom 2742, reaching a quiet refuge in the Kingdom of Christ. Having left your earthly rank and honors, you, suffering, before the tormentor of the flattering king, you confessed Christ as God, and for the sake of much suffering you raised up, glorious. With that beautiful crown of victory you are bound by the King of all who reign, and you are brightly adorned with the Heavenly Ones. Standing before Tom, Savvo, pray that our souls will be saved. You appeared invincible, stratilate, you defeated the barbarian intrigues and, having suffered, gloriously, most firmly, you defeated many invisible enemies, and you also weaved a crown of victory. Pray to Christ for us, O all-blessed Savvo, who honor you with faith. The Goths are a people of the Germanic tribe who originally lived along the Vistula River, and then settled along the Danube River. Aurelian, Roman emperor, reigned from 270 to 275. The death of Saint Sava followed in 272. You might be interested in: