Coptic Synaxarium
The Eleventh Day of the Blessed Month of Hatour
Hatour 11
Departure of St. Hannah
On this day, the pious and righteous
St. Hannah, the mother of our Lady, the holy virgin St. Mary, the Mother
of God, departed. This holy woman was the daughter of Matthan, the son
of Levi, the son of Melki, who was a descendant of Aaron the priest. Her
mother's name was Mary (Mariam) and she was from the tribe of Judah.
Matthan had three daughters. The first was called Mary after her mother,
and she was the mother of Salome, the midwife. The second was Sophia, the
mother of Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the BaptiSt. The third was
St. Hannah, the wife of the righteous man Joachim, who was of the tribe
of Judah. She was the mother of our Lady, the holy virgin St. Mary, the
Mother of the Savior of the world. That makes our Lady the Virgin St. Mary,
Salome, and Elizabeth cousins. Although we know little about St. Anna,
having been chosen to be the mother of the Mother of God in the flesh is
an indication of her virtues and righteousness, which distinguished her
from other women to have this great grace. Because she was barren, she
entreated God to take away her shame. So the Lord gave her a daughter that
delighted her eyes and the eyes of all mankind; she is the Virgin St. Mary,
the Mother of the Savior of the world.
Her intercession be for us all. Amen.
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Archelaus
and the Martyrdom of Elisha the Hegumen
On
this day also is the commemoration of the martyrdom of St. Archelaus and
the martyrdom of Abba Elisha the Hegumen.
May their prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God
forever. Amen.