Martyr
Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete
December 23 Old CalendarJanuary 5 New Calendar
Life
The Ten Martyrs suffered for Christ the Lord in the time of the persecution of Decius in the year 250. Their names are: Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompius, Agatopus, Basilides and Evarestus. All were prominent and honorable citizens, the best among the best. When they were led out to the place of execution, they were exceedingly joyful, and disputed with one another who of them would be beheaded first, for each one desired to go first to the beloved Christ. Then they prayed: Forgive, O Lord, Thy servants, and receive our blood poured out for us, for our kindred and friends and for all the fatherland, that all may be freed from the darkness of ignorance and may know Thee, the true light, O eternal King! They were beheaded and passed into the kingdom of glory, to rejoice eternally.
Forgive, O Lord, Thy servants, and receive our blood poured out for us.
From the Hymn of Praise
Venerable Naum, apostle to the Slavs,By Christ's light illumined completely,In spirit unshakable as a firm rock,To the gracious Spirit he subjected his body.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, December 23. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on December 23
The full reading for December 23 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open December 23 in the reader