Synaxarium

On this day in the year 515 A.D., the body of the great saint Anba Yuhannis (John) the Short was transferred from Qalamoun to the wilderness of Shihit. When Pope John the Forty-Eighth was in the wilderness of Shihit, some present wished to transfer the body of Saint Yuhannis to his monastery. The grace of God moved the Patriarch, who wrote a letter carried by priests Qusman and Buqtar, both elders, and sent them to Qalamoun. However, they could not retrieve the body because it was in the possession of heretics affiliated with the Council of Chalcedon, so they returned. After some days, an Arab emir took control of Qalamoun and was a friend of Anba Michael, Bishop of Ablous. The Patriarch wrote another letter to the bishop expressing his desire to take the body and sent it with the monks assigned to the mission. The bishop was pleased and informed the emir, who asked, "How will the monks reach the place?" His scribe replied, "They will wear Arab clothes over their own and enter with us." Thus, they entered with the Arabs to where the body was. The monks carried the body and traveled all night until they reached Mariout and then the wilderness. When they entered the Monastery of Saint Macarius, the monks received them with hymns, carrying crosses and censers. They brought the body to where Saint Macarius's body was and poured incense on it, then carried it to its monastery while chanting. His spiritual children received him with joy and gladness. When Pope Mark, the Forty-Ninth Patriarch, was ordained and went to the wilderness with bishops from the northern region and some priests, he visited this saint's monastery, uncovered his holy relics, and was blessed by them. They returned the linen garment in which the body was wrapped, then wrapped him in linen shrouds. The monks praised God and sang many hymns for this saint.

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

On this day, the saints Athanasius the Bishop, Grasemus, and Thaoutis, his two servants, were martyred. Some people accused the bishop before Ariyanus, the governor, that he had baptized the son of the minister Antonius. The governor summoned him and demanded that he worship idols, but he refused and declared his faith in Christ. He was tortured with various painful torments. When the governor saw his steadfastness in faith, he ordered the beheading of the bishop and the two servants. Some believers took their bodies, wrapped them, and placed them in a coffin. God honored them by many signs and miracles from their bodies. May their prayers be with us. Amen.