Holy Martyr Hyacinth

Life

A young man, a courtier of Emperor Trajan, and a secret Christian. On one occasion, when Emperor Trajan together with all his courtiers was solemnly offering sacrifice to the idols, Hyacinth absented himself from this foul ceremony. For this he was accused and brought before the emperor for judgment. The emperor counseled him to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the idols. But Hyacinth remained firm as a diamond and said to the emperor: "I am a Christian; I honor Christ, I worship Him, and I offer myself as a living sacrifice unto Him." Beaten, spat upon, and scraped, this holy martyr was cast into prison. By the emperor's order, he was given nothing to eat except the food offered to idols. But Hyacinth refused to eat it, and after eight days he died in prison. And the prison guards beheld two radiant angels in the dungeon: one covered the martyr's body with his own luminous garment, and the other placed a wondrous crown upon his head. And the entire prison was filled with light and fragrance. The young Hyacinth suffered honorably and was crowned with eternal glory in the year 108.

From the Hymn of Praise

Alexander the venerable, God's holy saint,Founded a temple of the Sleepless Ones, a sacred monastery,That in it the Lord be glorified, hymned, and magnified;Of that holy monastery the tale is still told.