Synaxarium

On this day is the commemoration of the consecration of a church named after the noble angel Gabriel, the announcer, on Mount Al-Naqlun in Fayoum. May his intercession be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

(It is mentioned in Al-Lu'lu'a and in Treasures of Grace, Part 2, that on the 22nd of Kiahk, the commemoration of the angel is read instead of today.)

On this day in the year 2570 since the creation of the world, the great prophet Joshua son of Nun departed. He was born in Egypt in the year 2460 since the creation (that is, fifty-three years before the Israelites' exodus from Pharaoh's bondage). He was a disciple and servant of Moses the prophet, who, after leading God's people out by the power of the divine arm and great miracles and bringing them near Mount Sinai, ascended the mountain taking Joshua his servant with him to hear the revelation and receive the commandments. During Israel's war against Amalek, Joshua was the commander of the soldiers. When Moses chose twelve men, one from each tribe, and sent them to spy out the Promised Land, Joshua was one of them. He completed his service with full faithfulness and, along with Caleb, alone reported the truth about the Promised Land. Therefore, only the two of them entered that land, unlike all the Israelites who left Egypt, who, because they murmured and doubted God's promises, were sworn against by the Most High not to enter His rest. Instead, their children born after the exodus entered the land with Joshua and Caleb. When the great Moses died in the year 2553 since creation, God spoke to Joshua saying: "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I give to them, to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your coast. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage: for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success." (Joshua 1:1-8) He strengthened Joshua's heart and sent two spies secretly to scout the land. They entered the house of Rahab the harlot, who hid them and let them down through a window because her house was on the city wall, after they assured her safety for herself and all her household (Joshua 2:1-15).

Then Jericho was opened after they marched around its walls many times while shouting, and its great walls fell down. The people entered the city and killed every man and beast in it after they brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all her household and relatives outside the city. They burned the city with fire, dedicating it to the treasury of the house of the Lord. Joshua honored Rahab the harlot and her father's household because she hid the two messengers.

The Lord was with this friend, and he killed kings and conquered many cities. The nations feared him greatly. Because of this great fear, the people of Gibeon deceived him by wearing old clothes and patched sandals and carrying dry bread crumbs. They came to Joshua saying, 'We have come from a far country; make a covenant with us.' Joshua and the elders of Israel said, 'Look, you dwell among us.' They answered, 'From a far country we have come on the name of the Lord your God. This is our bread, warm, taken from our houses on the day we left to come to you; now it is dry and crumbled. These are our clothes and sandals worn out by the very long journey.' Joshua believed them and made a covenant with them. After three days, they heard that they lived near them and among them, so Joshua cursed them and made them servants to carry wood for the house of the Lord.

Joshua fought five Amorite kings, and the Lord's hand helped him by sending stones like rain upon the enemies. The people fought them before the city of Gibeon. The sun was stopped until he destroyed the five kings with all their armies. By God's command, he divided the land among the children of Israel, gave the priests lands to dwell in and pasture lands for their livestock, and set apart five cities of refuge for anyone who killed unintentionally. When he reached about one hundred and ten years and advanced in good old age, he summoned the elders, princes, judges, and teachers, admonished them not to turn away from worshiping God the Most High, and set for them the necessary statutes and ordinances. Then he peacefully departed. May his prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day is the martyrdom of Saint Isent, the chamberlain of Trajan. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.