Synaxarium

On this day in the year 648 A.M. (27 February 932 A.D.), the blessed father Anba Cosmas, the fifty-eighth Pope of the See of St. Mark, departed. This father was pious, pure, chaste, very merciful, well-versed in the books of the covenant and understanding their meanings. When he was chosen for the patriarchate on 4 Baramhat, 636 A.M. (28 February 920 A.D.), he shepherded his flock with the fear of God and good management. He distributed his surplus to the poor and for the construction of churches. However, the devil did not leave him without sorrow when he saw his conduct. It happened that when he ordained a metropolitan for Ethiopia from the monks named Peter, he sent him there. The king received him with great joy. After some time, the king fell ill and sensed his end was near. He summoned his two sons and the metropolitan, removed the crown from his head, and gave it to the metropolitan, saying, "I am going to Christ, and you see who is fit among my sons to be king after me, so proceed." When the king died, the metropolitan and ministers decided that the younger son was more suitable for the throne, so they crowned him. Shortly after, a monk from the Monastery of Anba Antonius named Biktar arrived with a companion named Mina. They asked the metropolitan for money, but he refused. The devil tempted them to plot against him. One dressed as a bishop and the other as his disciple, and they forged a letter from the father patriarch to the state officials saying: "We have learned that a misguided man named Peter has come to you, claiming that we sent him as metropolitan over you, which is false. The one carrying this letter is the legitimate metropolitan Mina. We have learned that Peter crowned the younger son of the king instead of the elder, contrary to religious and civil laws. Upon his arrival, you must exile both the metropolitan and the king and consider father Mina, the bearer of this letter, as the legitimate metropolitan. Allow him to crown the elder son king." The two monks presented the letter to the elder son, who read it to the ministers and nobles. They ordered the exile of metropolitan Peter, installed Mina in his place, with Biktar as his deputy, removed the crown from the younger son, and crowned the elder son instead. However, soon discord arose between the false metropolitan and his deputy, who took advantage of the metropolitan's absence, expelled the servants, plundered everything he found, returned to Egypt, and converted. When these news reached Pope Cosmas, he was greatly saddened and sent a letter to Ethiopia excommunicating the false Mina. The king became angry with Mina and killed him. Metropolitan Peter requested to return from exile but found that he had died. The patriarch did not ordain another metropolitan for them, and neither did the four patriarchs who succeeded him. The days of this father were peaceful and calm except for this incident. He served the See of St. Mark for twelve years and departed in peace. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, the blessed father, the God-loving Anba Hadid the Priest, departed. He was pious and virtuous, and God granted him the gift of performing signs and wonders. He was given the spirit of prophecy and the knowledge of secrets, to the extent that he could reveal what was in hearts and heal the illnesses of those who came to him. It is said that he even raised a dead person by his prayers. After reaching the age of one hundred years, he departed in a righteous old age. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day, Saint Barphorius was martyred. He was one of the great wealthy men of Banias, known for his abundant charity and compassion for the poor, and for visiting those imprisoned because of their debts and paying what they owed. When the time of persecution came, and a call was made everywhere to worship idols, this saint heard of the prince’s passing by. He stood at his door and shouted in his face, "I am a Christian." After the prince’s failed attempts to persuade him to renounce his faith, he ordered his beheading. Thus, he received the crown of life. The people of his town took his body and wrapped it in precious shrouds. May his prayers be with us. Amen.