Commemorating March 22/9 The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

 

Commemorating March 22/9 The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste: Cyrion (or Quirio), Candidus, Domnus, Hesychius, Heraclius, Smaragdus, Eunoicus, Valens, Vivianus, Claudius, Priscus, Theodulus, Eutychius, John, Xanthias, Helianus, Sisinius, Angus, Aetius, Flavius, Acacius, Ecdicius, Lysimachus, Alexander, Elias, Gorgonius, Theophilus, Dometian, Gaius, Leontius, Athanasius, Cyril, Sacerdon, Nicholas, Valerius, Philoctimon, Severian, Chudion, Aglaius,and Meliton (320).

PRAYER TO THE HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE

O holy, glorious Passion-Bearers of Christ, the foursixty of you who suffered bravely in the city of Sebastia for Christ's sake, through fire and water you passed through, and as friends of Christ you entered the rest of the heavenly kingdom, you have great boldness to the Most Holy Trinity to petition for the Christian race, especially for those who honour your holy memory and who call upon you with faith and love. Ask the Most High God for forgiveness of our trespasses and for the rectification of our lives, so that, having lived in repentance and unfeigned love towards one another, we may stand with boldness before the Last Judgement of Christ, and through your intercession appear at the right hand of the Righteous Judge. By her, Lady of God, be our defenders from all enemies, both visible and invisible, that under the shelter of your holy prayers we may be delivered from all troubles, evils, and afflictions, until the last day of our lives, and in this manner we may glorify the great and worshipful Name of the Almighty Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.