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The Synaxarium
The saints the Church commemorates today, the Katameros readings appointed for the day, and the season it is kept in.
Commemorated today
The Martyrdom of St. Matthias, the apostle.
On this day St. Matthias, the apostle was martyred about 63 A.D. He was born in Bethlehem, followed the apostles and was chosen in place of Judas Iscariot in the upper room on the mount of Zion. Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.' "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen "to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26) Afterwards he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and went to preach the Gospel until he came to the country of cannibals. The custom of those people was whenever they seized a stranger, they put him in prison for thirty days feeding him grass, then they bring him out and eat him. When St. Matthias came to them and preached among them the massage of love they seized him, plucked out his eyes and put him in prison. Before the thirty days were over God sent to him and his disciple. They came to the prison and saw the prisoners and what abominable things the people of the city did to them. Satan inspired the people of the city to seize them also and kill them. When they were about to seize them, the two Saints prayed to the Lord, and a stream of water flowed from under one of the pillar of the prison. The water flowed out into the city, and rose up until it reached the necks of the people. When the people of the city gave up all hope of saving their lives, they came to the apostles, and wept before them confessing their sins. The apostles told them "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." They all believed and they released St. Matthias. St. Matthias, along with St. Andrew and his disciple taught them the mystery of the Incarnation of the Lord Christ. The Apostles prayed and entreated God Who made the water to cease then they baptized them in the Name of the Holy Trinity. They also prayed to The Lord Christ Who removed from them their barbaric nature. The Apostles appointed over them bishops and priests. They tarried with them for a while during which they instructed them and confirmed them in the faith, then they left. The people of the city entreated them to come back to them speedily. St. Matthias went to the city of Damascus and preached there in the Name of the Lord Christ. The people of the city became angry so they took him and laid him upon an iron bed, they lighted a fire under it which did not harm him but his face was shining with light like the sun. They marvelled exceedingly and they all believed on the Lord Christ through St. Matthias the apostle who baptized them, and appointed priests for them. He tarried many days with them confirming them in the faith. Afterward he departed in peace in one of the city of the jews called Falawon (Pilawon) where his body was laid. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Read it at copticchurch.net →The Departure of St. Julian, the Eleventh Pope of Alexandria.
On this day also of the year 188 A.D. (3rd of march) the holy father Pope Julian the Eleventh Pope of Alexandria departed. This father was a student in the seminary established by St. Mark, and was ordained priest in the city of Alexandria. He surpassed many in knowledge, righteousness, and purity so he was ordained Patriarch on the 9th of Baramhat (Year 178 A.D.) After his enthronement he saw that the pagans did not allow the bishops to leave the city of Alexandria, so he used to leave the city in secret to ordain priests everywhere. Before his departure the angel of the lord announced to him that the one who will bring him a cluster of grapes, is the one to succeed him on the Patriarchal Chair. One day, while Demetrius the vine dresser was trimming his trees, he found a cluster of grapes and was not in season. He took the cluster and gave it to the Patriarch Abba Julian who was pleased with the present. He gathered the bishops and told them about the vision and commanded them to enthrone him Patriarch after him. This father composed many homilies and discourses, he taught the people continually, preached and visited them. He stayed on the Apostolic Chair for ten years then departed in peace. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Read it at copticchurch.net →The Martyrdom of St. Arianus, the Governor of Ansena.
On this day also St. Arianus, the governor of Ansena was martyred. When he ordered to shoot with arrows, and one of the arrows glanced back and struck his eye and destroyed it, as it is mentioned in the Seventh day of Baramhat, one of the believers told him: "If you take some of his blood and smear your eye with it, you will receive your sight." The Governor took some of his blood, smeared his eye, and immediately he was able to see. Arianus believed on the Lord Christ, with great sorrow for all the evil things which he had done to the holy martyrs and the severity with which he tortured them. Then he rose up, destroyed his idols, and he refrained from torturing any of the believers. When Diocletian heard the report of Arianus, he brought him, and asked him why he had forsaken the worship of his idols. Arianus began to tell him about the signs and wonders which God was working by the hands of the holy martyrs, and how, in spite of the tortures which he had inflicted upon them, and the cutting of their bodies, they rose up again whole. The Emperor became furious with him because of what he said and ordered him to be tortured severely, and to cast him into a pit and to cover it until he dies. The Lord Christ sent His angel, who brought him out from the pit, and took him by the bed of the Emperor. The Emperor woke up from his sleep, and when he saw and recognized that he was Arianus, he was amazed and terrified. Diocletian again ordered him to be placed into a hair sack, and to cast him into the sea, so they did. Arianus the martyr delivered up his soul while he was in the hair sack. The Saint had told his kinsfolk when he bid them farewell that the Lord had told him in a vision of the night that He would take care of his body, return it to his town, and they could find it on the shore of Alexandria. The Lord ordered a sea creature who carried the Saint, and brought him to the city of Alexandria, where it casted him on the shore. His men took his body, brought it to Ansena, and laid it with the bodies of the Saints Philemon and Apollonius. Thus, he finished his good fight and received the heavenly crown. May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Read it at copticchurch.net →The Departure of Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandrialocal
On this day also of the year 1727 of the martyrs (March 17, 2012 AD), Pope Shenouda III, the one hundred and seventeenth Patriarch of the See of Alexandria, departed. He was born under the name of Nazir Gayed Roufail on August 3, 1923 AD, in the Asyut Governorate. In the year 1939 AD, he began his service in the Church's Sunday Schools. In 1946 AD, he joined the Clerical College and in 1949 AD, he dedicated himself to service and teaching at the Clerical College. In October 1949 AD, he also took over the editorship of the Sunday Schools Magazine, and in 1953 AD, he began teaching at the Monastic School in Helwan. On July 18, 1954 AD he became a monk at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary (El-Sourian) in Wadi El Natrun Desert under the name of Fr. Antonious El-Souriani, and lived a solitary life in a cave about 7 miles away from the monastery, dedicating his time to meditation and prayer. He was ordained as a priest on Sunday, August 31, 1958 AD, by Bishop Theophilus, who was the bishop and the head of the monastery at that time. In June 1959 AD, he was chosen by Pope Kyrillos VI to be his personal secretary. During his time as secretary, he composed the "Orthodox Anointing Rites For Kings", , and subsequently,Emperor Haile Selassie was anointed as a Christian king by Pope Kyrillos VI. He also prepared and wrote a special memorandum on personal status for Coptic Orthodox Christians, which became known as the "Memorandum of Pope Kyrillos VI on, Personal Status." On September 30, 1962 AD, he was consecrated as a Bishop for education under the name of Bishop Shenouda. He established spiritual meetings for preaching and education in the area of St. Ruweis Monastery in Abbassiya. In January 1965 AD, he published the first issue of the "Al-Kiraza" magazine. After the departure of Pope Kyrillos VI on March 9, 1971 AD, elections were carried out in accordance with "Regulation 57". His Grace Bishop Shenouda, the Bishop of Education, was one of the three candidates for the papacy. On Sunday, October 31, 1971 AD, he was selected through the Altar Lot, and on Sunday, November 14, 1971 AD, he was crowned and enthroned on the Papal throne. In January 1991 AD, he was elected as the President of the World Council of Churches for Oriental Orthodox Christians for more than one term. On November 8, 1994 AD, he was selected as the Deputy President of the Middle East Council of Churches on behalf of the Oriental Orthodox Churches for more than one term. He undertook 104 trips outside Egypt for pastoral and ecumenical purposes to various countries across the continents of the world. His Holiness established new dioceses in Egypt and in lands of emigration. The number of churches in Europe, America, and Australia multiplied from 7 churches at his Holiness' consecration to more than 450 churches at the time of his departure. In 1998 AD, he consecrated the first Patriarch of Eritrea, the late Abuna Philipos I. He also consecrated the late Patriarch Abouna Antonios I of Eritrea in 2004 AD. He consecrated 117 metropolitans and bishops, as well as ordained 1001 priests for Cairo, Alexandria, and the lands of emigration. He performed the rites of the Holy Chrismation (Myron) seven times, including once for the Church in Asmara, Eritrea. In 1973 AD, he brought the relics of St. Athanasius the Apostolic to Egypt. During his papacy, certain regulations for ecclesiastical work were issued, including the Regulations of the Holy Synod in 1985 AD. He also issued the regulations of the consecrated sisters in 1991 AD. On May 25, 1980 AD, he established the Bishopric for Youth Services. In 1976 AD, a General Bishopric for African Affairs was founded. In 1995 AD, a Bishopric for Evangelism was established. He founded the Institute of Pastoral Care and Education and the Institute of the Holy Bible in 1974 AD. During his blessed time, the Papal Residence was established in the St. Ruweis area in Abbasia, which he inaugurated in January 1985 AD. He also established various scientific and cultural centers and institutions during his time, including the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center in 2008 AD, the Pope Shenouda III Foundation for Organization and Information Technology on November 15, 2000 AD, and the St. Mark Foundation for Coptic History Studies in 1998 AD. Also during his time, various Coptic satellite channels were launched, and he received a total of 9 honorary doctoral degrees from some of the world's leading universities. Despite his numerous and diverse responsibilities, he used to spend three days a week in the monastery. His Holiness's profound love for the monastic life and solitude led to its revival. During his time, hundreds of monks and nuns were consecrated, and numerous Coptic monasteries were established, both within and outside Egypt. He participated in numerous ecumenical agreements, conferences, meetings, and theological dialogues. He managed to protect the church during the decisions made by the late President Muhammad Anwar Sadat on September 5, 1981 AD, including the decision to strip him of the title of Patriarch of Alexandria and Pope of the See of St. Mark. He was exiled and placed under house arrest at the papal residence in the St. Bishoy Monastery in the Wadi Natrun for forty months. He returned to his seat in January 1985 AD. He authored approximately 150 books, covering a wide range of topics including spirituality, theology, and religious beliefs, and others. He composed around 20 spiritual poems, most of which were transformed into spiritual songs in the Coptic Church. Pope Shenouda III confronted heresies and deviant teachings that spread during his era, He bore the responsibility of education in the church since he was ordained as a bishop for education in 1962 AD. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III departed on the evening of Saturday, the 8th of Paremhotep, 1727 of the Martyrs, corresponding to March 17, 2012 AD. His funeral prayer took place on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 AD, in the presence of numerous representatives of churches from around the world, political figures, and hundreds of thousands of people, both Christians and Muslims, at the Coptic Cathedral in Abbasia, Cairo. He was buried in a designated location in the St. Bishoy Monastery, in accordance with his will. He sat on the patriarchal throne for 40 years, 4 months, and 4 days, making him the seventh longest-reigning Pope in terms of the duration of his pontificate on the See of St. Mark. He lived for 88 years, 7 months, and 14 days. May the holy prayers of the thrice-blessed memory, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, be with us all, and glory be to God forever. Amen.
The feasts and fasts ahead
- Tout 15, 1743 AMCoptic New Year (Nayrouz)
- Tout 17, 1743 AMFeast of the Cross
- Tout 29, 1743 AMAnnunciation, Nativity, and Resurrection
- Hatour 16, 1743 AMAdvent Fast
- Kiahk 1, 1743 AMKiahk
- Kiahk 26, 1743 AMNativity Paramoun
- Kiahk 29, 1743 AMNativity Feast
- Touba 6, 1743 AMCircumcision Feast
- Touba 8, 1743 AMTheophany Paramoun
- Touba 11, 1743 AMTheophany Feast
- Touba 13, 1743 AMWedding of Cana of Galilee Feast
- Amshir 8, 1743 AMEntrance into the Temple Feast
Synaxarium accounts are credited to copticchurch.net. The calendar is computed from the Coptic Paschalion; readings are cited, not reproduced. Supplemented entries are marked local where the Church keeps a commemoration the published Synaxarium predates.