Synaxarium

On this day, the saint Susenios was martyred. This saint was the son of one of Emperor Diocletian's close associates. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and strengthened his resolve to receive the crown of martyrdom. He kept this command in his heart. It happened that the emperor sent him to the city of Nicomedia to renew the worship of idols. This saint was very saddened and summoned a priest, inquiring from him about all matters of the faith until he knew its truths. When his father learned of his condition, he betrayed him to the emperor, saying that he did not worship the idols. The emperor ordered his torture, and they tortured him with every kind of dreadful torment, but the Lord strengthened and gave him patience. Finally, they beheaded him, and he received the crown of martyrdom. The number of those who witnessed his torture, believed because of him, and received the crown of martyrdom was one thousand one hundred seventy persons.

May their prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day in the year 1009 A.M. (April 21, 1293 A.D.), Pope John VII, the seventy-eighth Patriarch, fell asleep. It was ordered that after the Cairo elders nominated Pope Gabriel III for the patriarchate, chose him, and consecrated him as priest, some elders of Egypt agreed on John son of Abi Saeed al-Sukkari and conducted a lot drawing for the church. Gabriel's name was drawn, but John and his supporters disputed it, nullified the lot, and John was advanced on 6 Toba 978 A.M. (January 1, 1262 A.D.) after the death of Pope Athanasius III, his predecessor. He served as patriarch for six years, nine months, and nineteen days, then was deposed, and Pope Gabriel III took his place from 24 Baba 985 A.M. to 6 Toba 987 A.M. Then Gabriel was deposed, and John was reinstated by the Sultan's order on 7 Toba.

During his days, the Sultan ordered in 980 A.M. to dig a large pit and gather the Christians to burn them in it. The patriarch requested and agreed to pay fifty thousand dinars, and they took two years to collect it, and the Christians who had suffered many hardships in his days were freed. The bishops endured severe trials, and Pope Gabriel, his predecessor, died during his second tenure, so John advanced in the patriarchal list and continued on the throne in his second term for twenty-two years, three months, and nineteen days. He peacefully fell asleep on 26 Baramouda 1009 A.M. and was buried in Al-Basateen at the Monastery of Anba Nestor.

May his prayers be with us, and glory be to our Lord always. Amen.