10 January 2025 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

The holy 20,000 martyrs of Nicomedia

On the feastday of the Nativity of Christ in the year 302, when about 20,000 Christians had assembled at the Nicomedia cathedral church, the emperor Maximian sent into the church an herald – who proclaimed the emperor’s command to exit the church and offer sacrifice to idols; otherwise, he threatened to burn the church together with those praying in it. But all those present refused to worship idols. While the tormentors prepared to set fire to the church, Bishop Anthymos having completed divine services, baptized all the catechumens and communed all with the Holy Mysteries. All 20,000 of those praying died in the fire.

Catholic Calendar

St. Agatho

Born towards the end of the sixth century in Sicily, died in Rome, 681. It is generally believed that Agatho was originally a Benedictine monk at St. Hermes in Palermo, and he ascended the papal chair as successor to Pope Donus in 678. The chief event of Agatho’s pontificate is, however the Sixth Ecumenical Council, held at Constantinople in 680, at which the papal legates presided and which practically ended the Monothelite heresy. Pope Agatho was remarkable for his affability and charity. On account of the many miracles he wrought he has been styled Wonderworker. His memory is celebrated by the Latin as well as the Greek Church.