By Fr. George Dorbarakis
These saints were the foremost men of the city of Amorium. When, during the reign of Theophilos, Amorium was captured by the Hagarenes, they were taken captive by them, because they were generals and commanders and members of the foremost class among the Romans. Yet they did not betray their faith in Christ — neither out of cowardice, nor out of love for this present life, nor out of softness, nor because of their long-lasting suffering. For the vigor of their souls was not weakened by their bodily injuries and their imprisonment; rather, having drawn up against the enemies with manly resolve and bravery of soul, and refusing to stoop to deny their faith in Christ, they gladly accepted the cutting off of their heads.
Just as a person rejoices when he has invested in this world in his new and indeed precious clothes, in the same way the Church also celebrates today, we are told by the Hymnographer of the saints, Saint Joseph, because she has clothed herself in the new garment of the blood of the new prize-winning martyrs. “The Church today celebrates mystically, having put on a new garment, like purple and fine linen, the blood of the new prize-winning martyrs” (doxastikon of Vespers). And this means, as is known, that martyrdom for our Church constitutes her glory and her boast, since in this way she stands precisely upon the footsteps of the first Martyr, the founder of the faith, Jesus Christ.
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