The Tenth Day of the Blessed Month of Abib
Abib 10
Martyrdom of St. Theodore, Bishop of Pentapolis
On this day, St. Theodore,
Bishop of Pentapolis (Five Cities) was martyred. He was ordained by Pope
Theonas (16th) a bishop for the Five Cities (Pentapolis). One year after
his ordination, Diocletian incited the persecution against the Christians
everywhere. He appointed a prince called Pilate, governor of Africa and
its provinces. He heard that this bishop was confirming the Christians
in their Christian Faith, so he brought him and ordered him to offer a
sacrifice to the idols. He replied, "I offer daily the sacrifice for the
Creator of the idols." The Governor asked him, "Is there any other god
beside Artemis and Apollo? " The Saint replied, "Yes, Jesus Christ the
creator of all things." The Governor became angry from his answer and ordered
his torture. They spent forty days torturing him by beating and crucifying
him. When he did not return from his true faith they cut off his head and
he received the crown of martyrdom.
May his prayers be with us, Amen.
Martyrdom of St. Theodore, Bishop of Corinth,
and his companions
On this day also, of the
year 299 A.D., St. Theodore, Bishop of Corinth, three women, and two governors,
one called Lucianus and the other Dagnanius, were martyred. When some evil
men accused the Saint before these two afore-mentioned governors, that
he was a Christian, and bishop of Corinth, the governors brought him and
asked him about his belief. He confessed that he was Christian. They tortured
him by beating and dragging him in the streets. He admonished them for
their forsaking the true God, and worshipping the hand made stones. They
ordered to cut out his tongue. They cut off his tongue and threw it away.
A believing woman took it and handed it to the Saint who placed it back
in its place, and by the power of God it healed as it was. He started again
to explain the invalidity of the worshipping of idols. Those gathered marvelled
and many of them believed as the governor Lucianus also believed. Dagnanius
the governor became enraged and he killed St. Theodore as he killed three
women who were following him as he was going to the place of execution.
Shortly after, Lucianus convinced Dagnanius and he also believed in the
Lord Christ. Both went to Cyprus, confessed the Lord Christ before its
governor. He cut off their heads and they also received the crown of martyrdom.
May his prayers be with us, Amen.
Departure of Anba Gabriel VII, the 95th
Pope of Alexandria
This day also, of the year
1561 A.D., marks the departure of the great Saint Anba Gabriel VII, 95th
Pope of Alexandria. He was born in the area around the monastery of El-Mouharraq,
and at a young age he became a monk in the wilderness of St. Macarius.
Because of his good conduct and his great righteousness, they ordained
him Patriarch after the departure of Pope John XIII (94th Pope). That was
in the year 1518 A.D. after the Ottoman conquest. He remained in the papacy
about forty-three years, preaching and teaching the flock. Some of his
important accomplishments, were the renovation of the monasteries of Anba
Antonius, and Anba Paul, the first hermit, in the Eastern desert, and the
monastery of El-Mouharraq in Upper Egypt. Some people in authority asked
him to approve things against the welfare of his flock. The Pope chose
to leave his Chair and he went to the monastery of St. Antonius, for he
desired to keep what the Lord said: "Greater love has no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13) The Lord examined
him but he endured thankfully, and received the blessing that the Lord
gave for those persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Then, he fell
sick for a short illness, and departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever, Amen.