Synaxarium

On this day, the holy Prophet Hosea, one of the twelve prophets of the children of Israel, departed. This righteous one prophesied in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel. In his prophecy, he mentioned strange and wondrous things. The children of Israel wept over their sins and transgressions, and he warned them of the evils that would befall them as punishment for their crimes. He promised them the removal of these calamities if they returned to the Lord their God. He prophesied about the sufferings of the Savior, His resurrection, and the salvation of mankind. He said, “He was struck and we are healed; He will revive us after two days; on the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live before Him, that we may know Him. Let us pursue to know the Lord.” He prophesied about the conquerors of the power of death and the breaking of the sting of hell, saying, “Where is your sting, O death? Where is your victory, O Hades?” He departed in a righteous old age. May his prayer be with us. Amen.

On this day, the saints Zadok and the one hundred and twenty-eight men were martyred in the land of Persia. This occurred when Bahram, king of Persia, brought them before him and offered them to worship the sun. Saint Zadok answered him, saying, “I only worship God, the Creator of the sun and all creation.” The king asked him, “Does this sun have a god?” He replied, “Yes, it is the Lord Christ, our God.” The king ordered his head to be cut off. The saint prayed, and the executioner advanced and cut off his head. At that moment, a great light appeared, which those present saw, and they cried out, “We are all Christians.” The king then ordered all their necks to be struck, and they received the crown of martyrdom.

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