Synaxarium

On this day, the holy Jeremiah, one of the great prophets, son of Hilkiah the priest, was martyred. He prophesied during the reigns of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, and Jehoiakim son of Josiah. God distinguished him by saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came out of the womb I sanctified you; I made you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). This prophet rebuked the children of Israel because of their abandonment of God's worship and rejection of His laws, warning them of the Lord's wrath upon them if they did not repent from their sins. When he saw the hardness of their hearts and the approach of punishment, he prayed to God with sighs and tears to forgive his people, but God did not accept his plea for those who did not heed his warnings. Nebuchadnezzar was stirred up and besieged Jerusalem for a time. His soldiers, led by Nebuzaradan, captured it, killed many inside the city, plundered all the precious temple vessels and the king's house belongings, and led the remaining people alive in chains to Babylon, including this prophet. However, Nebuzaradan, the commander, when he saw him bound with the others, released him. He went on and wrote his lamentations on the destruction of the city, the temple, and the captivity of the people for seventy years in Babylon.

This prophet foretold the coming of the Lord the Savior, His sufferings, and many other things. His holy life ended when the Jews themselves stoned him in Egypt, and he died a martyr in prison.

May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day, the departure of Abu Maqar the Alexandrian priest. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory always and forever. Amen.