Synaxarium

On this day, Saint Jude was martyred (it is said that Jude is the one nicknamed Thaddaeus or Judas, brother of James, Joseph, and Simon, sons of Mary, wife of Clopas "Halfi," the aunt of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was one of the seventy disciples and the author of the epistle known by his name in the New Testament, full of all wisdom and grace). He preached in the lands of the Arabs and settled in the lands of the Gentiles, where he preached in many cities and in Algeria, where he built a church. He then went to Edessa and healed King Abgar of his illness and baptized him, accompanied by Simon the Zealot. The commander Bardain intended to wage war against India and consulted the sorcerers, but they gave no result. The two apostles said to him: "A messenger will come to you from India to make peace." Indeed, this happened, and the apostles were given freedom to preach. They then entered the city of Arath, preached there, and baptized many of its people. The governor seized him and tortured him in every way, then shot him with arrows, and he surrendered his pure soul. They received the crown of martyrdom. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day in the year 285 A.M. (June 19, 569 A.D.), the holy martyr Pope Peter, the thirty-fourth Patriarch of the See of Mark, departed. When his predecessor Pope Theodosius passed away in exile by order of King Sabasianos because he did not agree with the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon, the nobles of the city of Alexandria approached the governor at that time, who was a righteous and upright man, and expressed their sorrow over the vacancy of the patriarchal throne. He advised them to go to the Monastery of Al-Zujaj (Glass Monastery), as if to go for prayer, and there to ordain the patriarch they desired. They rejoiced at this and the bishops took this father Peter there and ordained him patriarch in the beginning of the month of Mesra, year 283 A.M. (July 25, 567 A.D.). At that time, Anba Sawiris of Antioch had passed away. When the people of Antioch learned that the Egyptians had ordained a patriarch for them, they also ordained a patriarch named Theophanius. He and Pope Peter corresponded with letters of Orthodox faith, each mentioning the other in the prayers of the Divine Liturgy. However, neither dared to go to the seat of his patriarchate. Pope Peter resided in the Monastery of Abiphania, south of the Monastery of Al-Zujaj, while Theophanius resided in the Monastery of Aftonios near Antioch. At that time, there were six hundred monasteries and thirty-two villages around Alexandria, all inhabited by Orthodox Christians. The city of Alexandria, the cities of Egypt and Upper Egypt, the monks of the monasteries on Mount Shihet, Ethiopia, and Nubia were under the jurisdiction of Pope Peter. He never ceased sending letters to the faithful to strengthen them in the true faith. He traveled around the monasteries of Alexandria and its villages, teaching, preaching, and strengthening them. He had chosen a holy and learned man named Damianus and appointed him as his secretary, entrusting him with the care of the churches; Damianus later became patriarch after him. Pope Peter continued to care for his flock and strengthen them in the Orthodox faith until he peacefully departed. May his prayers be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.