Synaxarium

On this day, we commemorate the martyrdom of Saints Makarios and Tekla. May their prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day in the year 222 AD, the father Saint Narkisus, Bishop of Jerusalem, departed. This father came to Jerusalem in the year 190 AD during the reign of Caesar Alexander, who was fond of the Christians. This father was a perfect saint in all his conduct; he shepherded his people with the best care. He did not remain long on his throne before Alexander died, and Maximianus Caesar succeeded him. This caused persecution against the Christians, killing many bishops and others. Some fled, leaving their seats. But this father was granted by God the gift of performing miracles. On the night of the Resurrection Feast, the oil in the lamps ran out, so he ordered them to be filled with water, and they lit. Everyone was enlightened that night by the light of his teachings as well. But the enemy of good did not remain silent; he stirred some against him, accusing him of the sin of impurity. God's punishment was severe on those liars: one died burned, another's intestines burst, a third's body melted from continuous illness, a fourth was killed, and the fifth repented, shedding tears and confessing his sin. The saint went to the wilderness and hid there so that his presence would not cause anyone to stumble. Since no one knew what had happened to him, they chose instead a man named Dios, who served for a time and then departed. They then appointed another named Gordinus. When the time of persecution ended, Father Narkisus returned to Jerusalem, and his people met him with great joy. Gordinus asked him to take his seat, but he refused and preferred solitude. He insisted that he stay with him in the monastery, so he stayed with him for a year and then departed. Saint Narkisus then took his seat. He had grown old and very weak, so he asked his children to choose another bishop for them, but they refused. He urged that Alexander, Bishop of Cappadocia, come to Jerusalem to pray and then return. When he intended to return after the feast, the people heard a great voice in the Church of the Resurrection saying, "Go out to the such-and-such city gate, and the first to enter it, seize him and keep him with Narkisus to assist him." When they went out to the gate, they met Bishop Alexander and begged him to stay with Father Narkisus. He accepted after some reluctance and stayed with him until he departed. The duration of this father's sitting on the episcopal throne was thirty-seven years, and his total life was one hundred and sixteen years. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this very day, Saint Alexandros the Soldier was martyred during the days of the pagan king Maximianus. When this saint refused to offer incense to the idols, the king punished him by hanging him by his hands, tying a heavy stone to his feet, ordering him to be beaten, burning his sides, and placing torches of fire near his face. When these tortures did not deter him, the king commanded that his neck be struck, and thus he received the crown of martyrdom. May his intercession be with us. Amen.

The Nawa

In the winter months, the coastal regions overlooking the Mediterranean Sea experience the phenomenon of cyclonic atmospheric depressions that characterize the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean region and are known in Alexandria as the Nawa.

The Nawa:

They are atmospheric disturbances that give rise to a circular or oval air vortex with low pressure at the center surrounded by a high-pressure area. Winds spiral inward toward the low-pressure center in a counterclockwise direction.