Synaxarium

On this day in the year 458 AD, the blessed father Anba Barsuma, father of the Syriac monks, departed. His father was from Samosata, and a holy man prophesied about him before his birth, telling his parents that a good fruit would come from them and his name would spread throughout the earth. This prophecy was fulfilled, for when Barsuma grew a little, he left his parents and went to the Euphrates River, where he stayed for a time with a holy man named Abraham. Afterwards, he secluded himself in the mountain, and many disciples gathered around him. He used to fast one week and then another. God performed many signs through him. One time, there was a famine in those lands, and the Lord made him known through his prayers. He was a contemporary of Saint Simeon the Stylite, who, when he learned of him, visited him, and they both blessed each other. He became famous for opposing the followers of Nestorius. He testified at the Council of Ephesus by the invitation of King Theodosius II, who honored him greatly after some tried to accuse him of living in luxury. When the king summoned him and saw his righteousness and asceticism, he dismissed the slanderers and returned him to his monastery with honor and respect. When Emperor Marcian convened the Chalcedonian Council, the fathers asked the king not to summon Barsuma to the council because of the grace within him. When the council declared the doctrine of two natures, Saint Barsuma opposed these false teachings and suffered many hardships from the Chalcedonian followers. Afterwards, when the Lord wished to take him from this world, He sent His angel to inform him that he had only four days left. He advised his disciples to go to some neighboring lands and strengthen the people there in the Orthodox faith, then blessed them and departed in peace. At the time of his departure, a pillar of light appeared standing at the gate of his cell, which the faithful saw afterward. They came and found that he had passed away, so they blessed him and buried him with honor. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, Saint Paul the Syrian was martyred. He was born in the city of Alexandria to parents of Syrian descent, then settled in the city of Ashmunin, where they acquired much wealth through trade. Saint Paul heard about the governors torturing Christians. When his parents died, he distributed his wealth to the poor and prayed to God to guide him to the path that pleases Him. The angel Suriel was sent to him and said, "The Lord has appointed me to be with you and strengthen you, so do not fear." He arose and came to the governor of Ansena and confessed before him the Lord Christ. The governor ordered him to be stripped of his clothes and whipped with scourges, then torches were placed at his sides, but he was not afraid. Then the governor tried to entice him with money, but he said, "My parents left me much gold and silver, but I did not care for it out of love for the Lord Jesus Christ, so how can I look at your money now?" The governor became angry and tortured him with all kinds of torment. The angel Suriel came to him, healed him, comforted him, and strengthened him. Afterwards, the governor ordered that he be given poison, but it did not harm him. When the governor went to Alexandria, he took him with him and imprisoned him there, where he met his two friends, Saints Anba Issa and Tekla his sister. He greeted them and their spirits rejoiced. The Lord revealed to him that he would be martyred in this city. When the governor intended to return, he ordered that the head of Saint Paul be cut off on the seashore. Some of the faithful came, took his body, wrapped it, and kept it with them. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.

On this day, we commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Simeon. May his prayer be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.