Synaxarium

On this day, Saint Dioscorus was martyred during the time of the Arabs. He was from the city of Alexandria. An event occurred that led him to leave the religion of his fathers and enter the religion of the Arabs. He remained in that state for some time. He had a sister married in the city of Fayoum. When she learned of his situation, she sent him a letter saying: "I wished to receive news of your death while you were a Christian, so I would rejoice in that, but I do not want to hear news that you have abandoned Christ your God." She ended her words with: "Know that this letter is the last connection between you and me; from now on, do not expect to see my face or write to me." When he read his sister's letter, he wept bitterly, struck his face, and plucked his beard. Then he quickly girded himself with a belt, prayed fervently, made the sign of the cross on himself, and went out walking in the city. The people saw him in this state and took him to the governor. The governor said to him: "You have left the religion of the Christians and entered our religion. What happened?" He answered: "I was born a Christian and will die a Christian, and I do not know any other religion." The governor threatened him greatly and beat him severely, but he did not change his mind. He was imprisoned, and the governor sent to the king of Egypt, presenting his case and ordering him to offer Dioscorus to renounce Christianity and enter the king's religion. If he obeyed, he would be given great gifts; otherwise, he would be burned. They brought him out of prison and offered him apostasy, but he refused, saying: "I have said before, I was born a Christian and will die a Christian." The king ordered him to be burned. They dug a large pit outside the city, filled it with wood, and lit it. When the flames rose, they threw him into it after the people of the region had beaten him severely and stabbed him with knives. He received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of heaven. May his prayers be with us. Amen. 2 – On this same day: The commemoration of the departure of Saint Theodotus (mentioned in the manuscript of Shebin El-Kom as 'Taotus'), bishop of the city of Corinth in the island of Cyprus. He was greatly tortured during the persecutions. Julius, the ruler of this island before Diocletian, summoned this saint and asked him to deny Christ and offer incense to idols. When he refused, he was stripped of his clothes, severely beaten with leather whips, hung up, his body combed with iron combs, then nailed with nails, and dragged to prison. He remained there until God destroyed Diocletian and Constantine the Just became ruler. He was released along with other prisoners, returned to his see, and shepherded his flock entrusted to him until he departed in peace. May his intercession be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.