Martyr
Holy Martyr Stamatios
August 16 Old CalendarAugust 29 New Calendar
Life
A peasant, from Volos in Thessaly. When a certain inhuman aga was collecting imperial taxes from the people and greatly maltreating them, Stamatios went with several companions to Constantinople to lodge a complaint before the vizier. But by his sharp accusations against the aga, Stamatios offended the sultan's grandees, and they arrested him. First they tried to convert him to Islam by flattery, promising him wealth, glory and honor. To this the martyr cried out: "My wealth, glory and honor is Christ my Lord!" Then the Turks tortured him and finally beheaded him before Hagia Sophia in the year 1680. Thus this soldier of Christ was crowned with the crown of martyrdom.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, August 16. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on August 16
The full reading for August 16 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open August 16 in the reader