Synaxarium

On this day, the departure of the holy father, the ascetic and monk Anba Serapamon, priest of the Monastery of Abu Yuhans, occurred. This saint embraced monasticism from his youth in the Monastery of Saint Abu Yuhans. He remained in worship and serving the elders for thirty-two years, then he was ordained a priest over the monastery and entrusted with its administration. He increased in virtue and asceticism, spending his days fasting from the time he became a monk until the day of his departure. After managing the monastery for twenty years, he secluded himself in one of the churches and was not seen by anyone for ten years. During this time, he only broke his fast on Saturdays and Sundays. When the days of his death approached, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and presented him with a cross of fire, saying: "Take this in your hand." He replied, "How can I hold fire in my hand?" The angel answered, "So that Christ may not have dominion over you." He stretched out his hand and took the cross from the angel. Then the angel said to him: "Be strong and approach the sacraments, and after three days I will come and take you." When he awoke from his sleep, he informed the elders of the vision; they wept and bid him farewell, asking him to remember them. He asked them to remember him in their prayers. He departed on the third day, with the elders around him. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, we commemorate Saint Adoxia, whose name means 'Joy.' This saint was Samaritan by religion, from the people of Baalbek. Her father's name was Younan, and her mother's name was Hakima. Adoxia lived an impure life in her early years. With her beautiful face and good figure, she caused many to stumble and fall into sin, and she acquired much wealth. A holy monk from Jerusalem named Germanus heard about her and went to her, preaching terrifying words and warning her about hell, worms, darkness, and various painful torments. She asked him, "After death, will these bodies rise again after turning to dust and be judged?" He replied, "Yes." She said, "What is the proof of your words? It is not mentioned in the Torah given to Moses the prophet, nor did my ancestors say so." He clarified this to her with scriptural and rational proofs until his words were established in her mind, and she was convinced. Then she asked him, "If I repent from my shameful deeds, will God accept me?" He answered, "If you believe in the Lord Christ who came into the world, who bore our sins on His cross, and now repent sincerely and are baptized, He will accept you and will not remember what you have done, but you will be as if you were born anew from your mother's womb." Her heart opened to faith, and she asked him to complete this. He took her to the bishop of Baalbek. She confessed before him the Holy Trinity and the incarnation and crucifixion of the Word. When he stood to pray over the water for her baptism, the Lord opened her mind, and she saw an angel pulling her to heaven, with other angels rejoicing. Then she saw a terrifying, black, ugly figure pulling her away, angry with her. This increased her desire for baptism and repentance. After she was baptized, she distributed the wealth she had gathered from sinful fruit to the poor and needy. She went to the convent of nuns, donned the monastic habit, and there she struggled fully. The devil entered some of her friends, and they informed the prince about her. He summoned her. When she came, she found a funeral and weeping over his son. She entered, prayed over his son, and asked the Lord Christ for him, and he was raised from the dead. The prince believed in Christ through her. Another prince named Diogenes heard about her and summoned her. She saw before him a soldier blind in one eye. She prayed and made the sign of the cross over him, and he regained sight. The prince released her. After some time, another prince named Bekfious (in the manuscript of Shebin El-Karm, it is written as Belenfious) heard of her and summoned her. She asked the Lord Christ to grant her a share with the martyrs. The prince ordered her beheading by the sword, and she received the crown of martyrdom. May her intercession be with us. Amen.

On this day, the departure of the venerable priest Saint Peter occurred. This father spent all his time fasting, restraining himself, and committing to performing prayers day and night. God granted him the grace of knowledge of the unseen and healing the sick with water and oil after praying over them. He was ordained a priest after much reluctance until he was compelled to obey the command. He used to offer incense and celebrate the liturgy daily. The people of the city rejoiced in him, saying that God grants us forgiveness of our sins through his prayers and supplications. It was among his established habits that if he heard of two church members quarreling, he would hasten to reconcile them. He was adorned with perfect virtues. During his prayer one night, the Apostle Peter appeared to him and said: "Peace be upon you, O faithful one who kept the priesthood without blemish. Peace be upon you and upon your household. Your prayers and liturgies have ascended like the fragrance of sweet incense." He was terrified and afraid when he saw him. The apostle said to him: "I am Peter the Apostle; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord sent me to comfort you and inform you that you will depart from this weary world to the eternal kingdom. Rejoice and be comforted!" The priest rejoiced and said: "Remember me, father." When he said this, he departed with glory, honor, and happiness. May God have mercy on us through his prayers and blessings. Glory be to our Lord forever. Amen.