Sunday, November 1, 2020

Happy Feast! - for the Saints of October

 

Celebrating some of the saints from the South’s Christian inheritance of various lands:

Universal Church Feasts:

1stThe Protecting Veil of the Mother of God (10th hundredyear).

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/01/102824-the-protection-of-our-most-holy-lady-the-mother-of-god-and-ever

6thThe Holy Apostle Thomas.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/06/102885-holy-glorious-apostle-thomas

9thThe Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/09/102916-apostle-james-son-of-alphaeus

9th – Righteous Abraham and Lot.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/09/102909-righteous-forefather-abraham

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/09/102910-righteous-lot

11thSunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (+787). At this Council, the veneration of holy icons was upheld and the icon-smashers were condemned.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/11/70-commemoration-of-the-holy-fathers-of-the-seventh-ecumenical-coun

On the importance of icons for the Christian life:

http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/gen_icons.aspx

A miracle of an icon of the Lord Jesus Christ in Phoenicia that occurred among the Jews there in the 4th hundredyear:

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/11/108933-commemoration-of-the-miracle-of-the-icon-of-our-lord-jesus-chris

Many suffered fierce persecution for their veneration of the holy icons. St Theophanes the Hymnographer (9th hundredyear) was branded on his face, among other tortures, for his defense of icons.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/11/102937-saint-theophanes-the-confessor-and-hymnographer-bishop-of-nicea

11th – Holy Apostle Philip of the 70, one of the seven deacons.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/11/102936-apostle-philip-of-the-seventy-one-of-the-seven-deacons

18thHoly Apostle and Evangelist Luke.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/18/102993-apostle-and-evangelist-luke

23rd – Holy Apostle James the Brother of the Lord (+63). Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). From his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. When the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Saint James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). In his thirty years as bishop, Saint James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/23/103039-apostle-james-the-brother-of-the-lord .

Africa:

3rd – St Dionysius of Alexandria and the eight martyrs with him (+257/8). He was a disciple of Origen and became a priest in Alexandria. He became Bishop of Alexandria in 247, serving not only his own see but the whole Church with fervor and compassion. He traveled to Rome to fight the Novatian schisms that disturbed the Body of Christ at that time, and mediated in the dispute between St Cyprian (September 16) and the Pope. During the reign of Valerian, the new Governor of Alexandra, Emilianus, summoned St Dionysius, along with a group of his clergy, and demanded that they renounce Christ. When all stood firm in the Faith, he exiled them to the remote village of Kephro. But Christians flocked to the village to seek out the holy Bishop, and many pagans in the region were converted by him — so that soon the town was more nearly a Christian mission than a place of exile. When Emilianus learned of this, he exiled the Bishop and his disciples far into the wilderness, where they lived amidst terrible sufferings and hardships for more than twelve years. Saint Dionysius and his deacons Gaius and Faustus all died there; Eusebius the deacon and Maximus the priest eventually escaped. Eusebius became Bishop of Laodicea; Maximus, like his spiritual father, became Bishop of Alexandria.

https://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/iconoftheday/los/October/03-05.htm

4thSt Ammon of Egypt (+4th hundredyear). "Our holy Father Ammon's parents died in his childhood. He was brought up by an uncle, who made him marry when he was still very young. On the night of his wedding, as soon as he and his wife retired to the bridal chamber, Ammon took up the holy Scriptures and read the passage in the Epistle to the Corinthians where the Apostle speaks of the disadvantages of marriage because of all the troubles and cares that come with it, while virgins consecrated to the Lord can devote themselves without distraction to prayer and to spiritual labour. Both spouses took the following words literally: From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none... and those who deal with the world, as though they had no dealings with it (1 Cor. 7:29,31). They decided to remain in their virginity and to retire together to a desert place where they could give themselves over to prayer and fasting. They set out for the mountain of Nitria, some way from Alexandria, and settled in a little hut there. But, living together as man and woman, they soon realized the inexpedience of tempting nature head-on and of provoking the attacks of demons. They parted company, therefore, each to live separately in ascesis. Ammon never used wine or oil but lived only on dry bread that he ate every two or three days.
  "His manner of life was pleasing to the Lord, and a great many brethren who wanted to embrace the monastic life soon came to join him. When a new aspirant arrived, Ammon would immediately let him have his own cell with everything in it, and the other brethren would secretly bring provisions to the newcomer or whatever else might be useful. This showed that fraternal love was first among the laws observed in this ever-growing brotherhood. In a few years, under the direction of Ammon, the desert of Nitria was transformed into a veritable city. Some of the brethren now wanted to build their cells at a distance where they could live in greater solitude, so when one day Saint Antony the Great came to visit him, Abba Ammon asked his advice about the place to choose. At the ninth hour, after taking a scanty meal together, they walked in the desert until sunset, when they set up a cross at the place they had reached, so that those who wanted to could build their cells there with the blessing of the two Elders. 'In this way' , Abba Antony said, 'the brethren coming from Nitria, after a meal at the ninth hour, to see those who are here, will meet them at this moment. And if those who leave here to go to Nitria do the same, they will not lose their hesychia (stillness).' This was how the desert of Kellia ('the Cells') came to be established almost twelve miles from Nitria. More than six hundred monks were soon living there, each in his own cell.
  "Saint Ammon and Saint Antony were united in a deep spiritual friendship. When Abba Ammon gave up his soul in peace to the Lord at Nitria, Antony, far away on his mountain, broke off the conversation he was having with some monks and, in ecstasy, saw the soul of Ammon going up to Heaven accompanied by the joyful hymns of a multitude of angels. Among other words inspired by the Holy Spirit, Saint Ammon said, 'Bear with everyone as God bears with you'." (Synaxarion)

http://www.abbamoses.com/months/october.html

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/044.html

4th – Sts Marcus, Marcian, and those martyred with them. THE FOURTH edict of Dioclesian produced in the years 304 and 305 a frightful slaughter of Christians in Egypt, particularly in Thebais. Eusebius says, that after suffering scourges, tearing with iron hooks, disjointing of limbs, and many unheard-of torments; some were beheaded, others thrown into the sea, others burnt, many crucified, several nailed to crosses with their heads downwards, and great numbers were hung on gibbets in all parts of Egypt. Marcus and Marcian are named among these holy champions; in ancient Martyrologies they are called brothers.

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/042.html

5th – St Dionysius (+264/5), Bishop of Alexandria. Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, was the son of wealthy pagan parents. He converted to Christianity at a mature age, and became a pupil of Origen. Later, he was appointed as the head of Alexandria’s Catechetical School, and then became Bishop of Alexandria in the year 247. Saint Dionysius devoted much effort to defend the Church from heresy, and he encouraged his flock in the firm confession of Orthodoxy during the persecution under the emperors Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259). . . . The rest of his life is recounted here: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/05/102880-hieromartyr-dionysius-bishop-of-alexandria

8th – St Thais (+4th hundredyear). A great story of deep, sincere repentance.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/08/102902-venerable-thais-of-egypt

Let us praise the blessed Thais, / the truly fruitful branch from a corrupt root, / the sweet stream from a salty source, / the image of repentance and rule of patience! / Once a vessel of sin, she is now the chosen vessel of grace! / Let us cry aloud to her: / O Venerable Thais, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved!

https://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2020/10/08/102902-venerable-thais-of-egypt

So too that of St Pelagia:

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/08/102899-venerable-pelagia-the-penitent

12th – Sts Felix and Cyprian. + c 484. Two bishops in North Africa, leaders of a great multitude of Orthodox - the number of four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six is usually given- driven to starvation and death in the Sahara Desert by the Arian Vandal King, Hunneric.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

16th – Three sets of martyrs of Africa are celebrated today:

-Sts Saturninus, Nereus and Companions. +450. A group of some three hundred and sixty-five martyrs who suffered in North Africa under the Vandal King Genseric.

-Sts Martinian, Saturian and Companions. +458. Four brothers, reduced to slavery in the house of an Arian Vandal in Mauretania in North Africa. The four brothers were martyred under Genseric by being dragged by horses.

-Martyrs of North-West Africa. Two hundred and twenty Christians martyred on this day.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

22nd – St Lot of Egypt (+5th hundredyear).

https://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/iconoftheday/los/October/22-07.htm

24th – St Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia (+553). He rescued the people of Arabia from a fierce persecution and afterwards exchanged his royal crown for the robes of a monk.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/24/103048-blessed-elesbaan-king-of-ethiopia

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/24/103043-martyr-arethas-and-4299-martyrs-with-him

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/24/103049-martyr-syncletica-and-her-two-daughters

24th – Sts Felix (Africanus), Audactus (Adauctus), Januarius, Fortunatus and Septimus. +303. Felix was a Bishop of Thibiuca in North Africa, martyred with others for refusing to deliver up the sacred books. He was one of the first victims of Diocletian.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

For a longer account: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/242.html

Asia Minor/Middle East/Rome:

22nd – St Abercius, Equal to the Apostles (+167). Saint Abercius, Bishop and Wonderworker of Hieropolis lived in the second century in Phrygia. The city of Hieropolis was inhabited by many pagans and very few Christians. The saint prayed to the Lord for the salvation of their souls and that they might be numbered among God’s chosen flock. An angel appeared and bade Saint Abercius to destroy the idols in the pagan temple. He fulfilled the command of God with zeal. Hearing that the idol-worshippers wanted to kill him, the saint went to the place where the people had gathered and openly denounced the failings of the pagans. The pagans tried to seize the saint. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/22/103022-saint-abercius-the-wonderworker-bishop-of-hieropolis-equal-of-th .

Athens:

4th – St Hierotheos, First Bishop of Athens (+1st hundredyear). The Hieromartyr Hierotheus, the first Bishop of Athens, was a member of the Athenian Areopagos and was converted to Christ by the Apostle Paul together with Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3). The saint was consecrated by the Apostle Paul to the rank of bishop. According to Tradition, Bishop Hierotheus was present with Saint Dionysius at the funeral of the Most Holy Theotokos. Saint Hierotheus died a martyr’s death in the first century.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/04/102849-hieromartyr-hierotheus-bishop-of-athens

Athens/France:

3rd – St Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens (+96), a great early Father of the Orthodox Church. Saint Dionysius lived originally in the city of Athens. He was raised there and received a classical Greek education. He then went to Egypt, where he studied astronomy at the city of Heliopolis. It was in Heliopolis, along with his friend Apollophonos where he witnessed the solar eclipse that occurred at the moment of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ by Crucifixion. “Either the Creator of all the world now suffers, or this visible world is coming to an end,” Dionysius said. Upon his return to Athens from Egypt, he was chosen to be a member of the Areopagus Council (Athenian high court). When the holy Apostle Paul preached at the place on the Hill of Ares (Acts 17:16-34), Dionysius accepted his salvific proclamation and became a Christian. For three years Saint Dionysius remained a companion of the holy Apostle Paul in preaching the Word of God. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/03/102843-hieromartyr-dionysius-the-areopagite-bishop-of-athens .

Belgium:

1st – St Bavo. c 589-654. Born in Brabant in Belgium, in his early years he lived badly. Left a widower, he was converted by St Amandus and founded the monastery of St Peter in Ghent (later called St Bavo's) and became a monk there. Finally he lived as a hermit.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about his inspiring life of repentance is here: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/012.html

9th – St Ghislain. + 680. A hermit who lived in the forest in Hainault in Belgium where several disciples gathered around him. He built the monastery of Sts Peter and Paul, now Saint-Ghislain near Mons, where he was abbot for thirty years.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/093.html

11th – St Gummarus (Gomer). c 717-774. After long and patient endurance of worldly perversity, he reposed as a hermit. The present town of Lierre (Lier) in Belgium grew up around his hermitage.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A great ensample of an honest government magistrate and a patient, suffering husband:

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/112.html

Belgium/France:

3rd – St Gerard of Brogne. +959. Born near Namur in Belgium, he went to France where he became a monk at St Denis. After some years he was ordained priest and left for Belgium in order to found a new monastery on his own estate at Brogne. He was Abbot here for twenty-two years and revived monastic life in Flanders, Lorraine and Champagne.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/032.html

Constantinople/New Rome:

12thSt Symeon the New Theologian (+1022). One of the most important and revered Church Fathers.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/03/12/100790-venerable-simeon-the-new-theologian

England:

7th – St Osyth of Chich. + c 700. Osyth was a princess of the Hwiccas in the west of England. She married Sighere, King of the East Saxons. Their son, the future St Offa, became King in 683, later abdicating. Osyth founded a convent, now St Osyth, on a creek of the River Colne in Essex.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

She died as a martyr.  More details about St Osyth are here:

http://orthochristian.com/124814.html

8th – St Iwi of Lindisfarne. + c 690 A monk at Lindisfarne in England, he was ordained deacon by St Cuthbert. His relics were later translated to Wilton near Salisbury.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1008c.html

The life of St Edith of Wilton also has information about St Iwi in it:

https://orthochristian.com/97360.html

10thSt Paulinus of York. +644. Born in Rome, he was sent to England with Sts Mellitus and Justus (601) to help St Augustine. He spent twenty-four years in Kent and in 625 was consecrated Bishop of York and sent to enlighten Northumbria, where he baptised King Edwin in York. After the King's martyrdom, he returned to Kent, where he became Bishop of Rochester.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1010a.html

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/102.html

Hymns to the Saint:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/servpaul.htm

11th – St Ethelburga. + c 675. Sister of St Erconwald of London, who helped found the convent of Barking in Essex where she became abbess.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/113.html

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/11/148989-venerable-ethelburga

12thSt Edwin, First Christian King of Northumbria and martyr. +633. In 616 he became King of Northumbria in England, married Ethelburgh of Kent and was baptised by St Paulinus. He fell in battle at Hatfield Chase fighting against pagan Mercians and Welsh and was venerated as a martyr.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A much fuller account of this important King: https://orthochristian.com/87056.html

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/12/102947-saint-edwin-king-and-martyr

Hymns to the Saint:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/pdf/servs/edwin.pdf

17th – Sts Ethelbert and Ethelred. +640. Great-grandsons of St Ethelbert of Kent, cruelly put to death at Eastry near Sandwich in England.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1017d.html

17th – St Nothelm. +739. Eleventh Archbishop of Canterbury and a friend of St Bede and St Boniface.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1017b.html

18th – St James the Deacon of York. + 7th cent. A deacon from Italy and companion of St Paulinus in his mission to Northumbria in England where he remained faithful despite the pagan reaction after St Edwin.  He is also commemorated on 17 August.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdaug.htm

More about this brave and steadfast Saint is here: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/18/108025-saint-james-the-deacon

19th – St Frideswide. + c 680-735. Daughter of a prince of the Upper Thames, she founded a convent dedicated to the Virgin on the site of what is now Christchurch in Oxford. From childhood she took as her maxim 'Whatever is not God is nothing'. She is the patron-saint of Oxford.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A much more detailed account of St Frideswide’s life and legacy is here: https://orthochristian.com/98258.html

20th – St Acca. c. 660-742. A disciple of St Bosa of York in England and St Wilfrid and a companion of the latter in his travels. He became Abbot of St Andrew's in Hexham and in 709 he succeeded Wilfrid as bishop there. He was described by Bede as 'great in the sight of God and man'.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More is at https://celticsaints.org/2020/1020c.html .

23rd – St Elfleda (Aelflead). + c 936. A princess who lived as an anchoress in Glastonbury in England. She was revered by St Dunstan.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about Glastonbury and her Saints: https://orthochristian.com/130555.html

23rd – Ethelfleda (Elfleda). + c 970. Daughter of Earl Ethelwold, founder of Romsey in England, she became a nun there and eventually abbess after St Merewenna.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about St Ethelfleda is here: https://orthochristian.com/125105.html .

26thST ALFRED THE GREAT, Eternal King of England and Chief Patron Saint of the South. 849-899. King of Wessex and all Orthodox England who defeated the Danish invaders and ensured the growth of the Church in England. A patron of sacred learning, Alfred the Great himself translated into English such works as the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great. His memory is held by many in great veneration as a patriot and model of Orthodox kingship.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

For a much longer account of his life:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/athlifea.htm

More about St Alfred:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/zathelney.htm

A church service and hymns for the Saint:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/pdf/servs/Alfred.pdf

On St Alfred as the kinsman-redeemer of the South:

https://confiterijournal.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-kinsman-redeemer-of-south.html

England/Germany:

3rd – Sts Ewald the Fair and Ewald the Dark. + c 695. Two brothers born in Northumbria in England who became monks and priests and followed St Willibrord to Frisia in Holland. They were martyred together in Aplerbeck, now a suburb of Dortmund in Germany.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/033.html

12th – St Wilfrid of York. 633-709. Born in Ripon in England, he became a monk at Lindisfarne. After a short stay in Canterbury he went to France and Rome (653-657). On his return to Northumbria he founded the monastery of Ripon and in 668 played a leading part in the Council of Whitby. The rest of his life was occupied with journeys and missionary work among the Frisians and in Sussex. His zeal made him an important if controversial figure.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://orthodoxwiki.org/Wilfrid

https://orthochristian.com/103642.html

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/121.html

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/pdf/servs/wilfrid.pdf

14th – St Burchard. + c 754. Born in England, he went to Germany with St Boniface (c 732). He became Bishop of Würzburg and founded several monasteries, of which the most important was St Andrew's, later named after him.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/143.html

15th – St Thecla. + c 790. A nun at Wimborne in England, she went to Germany with St Lioba. She became the first Abbess of Ochsenfürt and then of Kitzingen on the Main.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/152.html

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1015c.html

16th – St Lull. +787. A monk at Malmesbury in England and a relative of St Boniface, he went to Germany and in 751 St Boniface consecrated him bishop. After his master's martyrdom he took his place. He founded several monasteries.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

For more, see https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/162.html .

France:

1stSt Remigius of Rheims. + c 533. Called 'the Apostle of the Franks'. A Gallo-Roman by birth, in 459 he was chosen to be Bishop of Rheims in France when he was still a layman. During the seventy-four years he was bishop he was the most influential prelate in Gaul, the culminating event of his life being the baptism of Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

Longer accounts of this glorious Saint of the West:

Shorter: https://orthodoxwiki.org/Remigius_of_Rheims

Longer: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/011.html

Hymns in his honor:

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/pdf/servs/Hilarius_and_Remigius.pdf

2nd – St Leodegarius (Leger). c 616-678. Nephew of the Bishop of Poitiers in France, in 653 he became Abbot of St Maxentius. In 659 he became Bishop of Autun. His connection with the court brought on him the fury of the tyrant Ebroin who had the saint imprisoned, blinded and finally murdered.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

‘Few saints are more reverenced in many parts of France than this martyr.’ Read on at this page to find out why he is held in such high regard: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/023.html

6th – St Faith (Foi). + 3rd cent. A holy virgin in Agen in the south of France, burnt to death under Maximian Herculeus. Her shrine in Conques is very famous.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Church_of_Sainte-Foy

Her interrogation by Dacian is given here:

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/062.html

St Foi is honored in parts of Spain and England as well.

13th – St Gerald of Aurillac. 855-909. Gerald, Count of Aurillac in France, led virtuous life as a layman. He founded a monastery on his estate and endowed it. He is the patron-saint of Upper Auvergne.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More on this wonderful ensample of a Christian gentleman: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/135.html

14th – St Ménéhould (Manehildis). + c 490. Born in Perthois in France, she was the youngest of seven sisters, all of whom are honoured as saints in various parts of Champagne. She is the patroness of Sainte-Ménéhould.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

15th – St Aurelia. + 1027. A princess who lived for fifty-five years as an anchoress in Strasbourg in France.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

15th – St Hospicius. + c 580. A hermit at the place now called after him, Cap-Saint-Hospice, between Villefrance and Banlieu in France. His relics were translated to Lérins.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

He is a great ensample of one brokenhearted over his own sins and the sins of his own people (a French Jeremiah, Rev Alban Butler calls him):

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/153.html

17th – St Anstrudis. +688. Daughter of Sts Blandinus and Salaberga, the founders of the convent of St John the Baptist in Laon. Mother and daughter were successively the first two abbesses. She had much to suffer at the hands of Ebroin, the oppressor of all the saints of that age

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/172.html

18th – St Justus. +287. A child-martyr aged nine, he was venerated in Beauvais in France.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

23rdSt Romanus. +639. Bishop of Rouen. He devoted himself to the care of prisoners, particularly those condemned to death, and he also preached actively against paganism.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A longer account is here: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/232.html

31st – St Quentin. ? According to tradition, Quentin was born in Rome and went to France. He enlightened the area round Amiens and was martyred at the town now called Saint-Quentin.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A longer account is here: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/311.html .

France/Germany:

23rd – St Severinus. + c 403. Born in Bordeaux in France, he became Bishop of Cologne in Germany and was a prominent opponent of Arianism.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

HIS name is famous in the annals of the church. By his learning and zeal, not only his own diocess, but also that of Tongres was purged from the venom of the Arian heresy, about the year 390. St. Gregory of Tours tells us that St. Severin knew by revelation the death and glory of St. Martin, at the time of his departure. He led an angelical life, and died soon after St. Martin, in 400.

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/235.html

28thSt Faro. + c 675. A brother of Sts Fara and Cognoaldus. He became a monk, either at Luxeuil or else at Rebais and finally Bishop of Meaux in France (626). He greatly encouraged monasticism.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

The eminent sanctity of St. Faro, the fourteenth bishop of this see [of Meaux], has rendered his name the most illustrious of all the prelates of this see.

Read more about St Faro here: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/283.html

France/Italy:

4th – St Petronius. Probably the son of a prefect in France, he visited the monks in Palestine and prayed at the holy places. He became Bishop of Bologna in Italy and built the monastery of St Stephen there, reproducing the general lines of the buildings of the holy places in Jerusalem.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

For more details: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/043.html

France/Wales/Germany:

15th – St Severus. + c 455. Born in France, he was a disciple of St Germanus of Auxerre and St Lupus of Troyes. He accompanied St Germanus to Britain to oppose the Pelagian heresy. He preached the Gospel to the Germans on the lower Moselle and became Bishop of Trier in Germany (446-c 455).

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

Georgia:

1st – The Finding of the Precious Robe of the Lord (4th hundredyear).

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/01/108936-equals-of-the-apostles-emperor-mirian-and-empress-nana-of-georgi

Greece/Russia:

26th – Holy, Glorious Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher of Thessalonica (+306). The Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher of Thessalonica was the son of a Roman proconsul in Thessalonica. Three centuries had elapsed and Roman paganism, spiritually shattered and defeated by the multitude of martyrs and confessors of the Savior, intensified its persecutions. The parents of Saint Demetrius were secretly Christians, and he was baptized and raised in the Christian Faith in a secret church in his father’s home. By the time Demetrius had reached maturity and his father had died, the emperor Galerius Maximian had ascended the throne (305). Maximian, confident in Demetrius’ education as well as his administrative and military abilities, appointed him to his father’s position as proconsul of the Thessalonica district. The main tasks of this young commander were to defend the city from barbarians and to eradicate Christianity. The emperor’s policy regarding Christians was expressed simply, “Put to death anyone who calls on the name of Christ.” The emperor did not suspect that by appointing Demetrius he had provided a way for him to lead many people to Christ. Accepting the appointment, Demetrius returned to Thessalonica and immediately confessed and glorified our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of persecuting and executing Christians, he began to teach the Christian Faith openly to the inhabitants of the city and to overthrow pagan customs and idolatry. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/26/103059-holy-glorious-demetrius-the-myrrh-gusher-of-thessalonica .

Greece/Scotland:

8th – St Triduana (+4th or 8th hundredyear). Saint Triduana is connected with the mission of Saint Regulus (f.d. March 30) to carry the relics of Saint Andrew (f.d. November 30) to Scotland. She is said to have been an abbess and to have lived with two companions at Roscoby (Forfarshire). Her shrine at Restalrig near Edinburgh was an important pilgrimage centre until it was completely destroyed on December 21, 1560, by Scottish Deformers. The site of her well here has been excavated. It reveals the former positions of a two story building, a chapel, and piscina built over the well itself. A portion of the 1487 collegiate church, which was endowed by at least three kings, remains. There is a second shrine beside Saint Tredwell's Loch at Papa Westray in the Orkneys. She is invoked for cures of eye diseases because of a belief that she plucked out her beautiful eyes and gave them to a local prince who was attracted to her because of them. Triduana is the patroness of Caithness (Kintradwell). Aberdeen claims some of Triduana's relics. . . .

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1008b.html

She is ‘one of the most venerated female saints of Scotland’.

https://orthochristian.com/98004.html

17th – St Regulus (Rule). ? 4th cent. By tradition an abbot who brought relics of St Andrew from Greece to Scotland, leading to St Andrew's adoption as the patron-saint of Scotland (refer to the links above for St Triduana for more about this event).

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

Ireland:

12th – St Fiacc. 5th cent. A bishop in Ireland, friend and disciple of St Patrick, in whose honour he wrote a hymn which still exists.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A poet, chief bishop of Leinster, and founder of two churches.

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1012a.html

St Fiacc’s Hymn may be read here:

http://www.voskrese.info/spl/fiacc.html

29th – St Colman of Kilmacduagh. + c 632. A hermit in Arranmore and Burren in Co. Clare in Ireland. He then founded the monastery of Kilmacduagh, i.e. the church of the son of Duac, where he was abbot.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about this much venerated Saint of Ireland is here:

https://orthochristian.com/75046.html

Ireland/Austria:

13th – St Colman of Stockerau. +1012. Born in Ireland, he was going through Austria on his way to the Holy Land, when he was arrested as a spy, tortured and hanged with evildoers in Stockerau near Vienna. Miracles were worked by his relics and he was venerated as a saint. He is honoured as one of the patron-saints of Austria.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

Further details: https://celticsaints.org/2020/1013b.html

Ireland/Cornwall:

31st – St Erth (Herygh, Urith). +6th cent. Brother of St Uny and St Ia (Ives). He went from Ireland to Cornwall, where a church is dedicated to him, and also gave his name to the village of St Erth.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about St Erth and his companions: https://orthochristian.com/116654.html .

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1031a.html

Ireland/England/France/Belgium:

31st – St Foillan. + c 655. Brother of Sts Fursey and Ultan. They left Ireland for East Anglia in England. St Foillan became the Abbot of Burgh Castle near Yarmouth but when this monastery was destroyed, he went to Belgium. St Ita of Nivelles gave him land at Fosses where he founded a monastery. He enlightened Brabant but was killed by robbers and is venerated as a martyr.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More on St Foillan and his brothers is here: https://orthochristian.com/90151.html .

Ireland/France/Germany:

16th – St Eliphius (Eloff). Died 362. An Irishman--or Scot--by birth, Saint Eliphius preached the Gospel of Christ in Toul, France, and won about 400 souls for Christ. Eliphius, his brother Eucharius, and two sisters were beheaded at Toul under Julian the Apostate. Mount Eliph, where they were buried, honours his memory. Their relics were translated to Cologne, Germany, in the 10th century.

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1016e.html

Ireland/France/Switzerland:

16thSt Gall. c 550-645. A monk at Bangor in Ireland, he accompanied St Columbanus to France where he helped found Luxeuil. He was exiled and settled in Switzerland where the monastery and town of Saint Gall later grew up. He is venerated as one of the Apostles of Switzerland.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A longer account: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/161.html

Pictures of the famous monastery today: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/268/gallery/

Ireland/Germany:

21st – St Wendolinus (Wendelinus, Wendel). + 7th century. A shepherd who was famous for his holiness and is venerated at St Wendel on the Nahe in the west of Germany.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1021c.html

Ireland/Italy:

22nd – St Donatus. +874. Born in Ireland, he went on pilgrimage to Rome and became Bishop of Fiesole near Florence in Italy. He was very devoted to St Brigid of Kildare.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1022a.html

Ireland/Scotland:

13th – St Comgan. 8th century. Saint Comgan, son of King Ceallach (Kelly) of Leinster, was the brother of Saint Kentigern (f.d. January 7) and uncle to Saint Fillan (f.d. January 19). Farmer reports that he succeeded his father as chief. After a defeat in battle, Comgan, Kentigerna, her three sons, and seven others were exiled by a coalition of neighbouring tribes. They settled in western Ross, where Comgan founded a monastery at Lochalsh, opposite Skye. He embraced the monastic life in Scotland, where his feast is kept in the diocese of Aberdeen. Comgan's relics were buried by Fillan at Iona and a church built over them. Many churches in the area mark their movements.

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1013a.html

Much more about this holy family of Saints may be found here: https://orthochristian.com/76644.html

21st – St Fintan Munnu. + c 635. A disciple of St Columba at Iona, he later founded the monastery of Taghmon in Co. Wexford in Ireland. In Scotland he is called St Mundus. He bore a terrible skin disease with great patience.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about this great spiritual father is here: https://orthochristian.com/87348.html

27th – St Oran. (Otteran, Odhran). + c 563. An Abbot of Meath in Ireland, he went to Scotland with St Columba and was the first to repose on Iona. His feast is kept in Ireland and he is the main patron of Waterford.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A current monk from Mull Monastery (Scotland) reflects on St Oran: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/monkseyes/understanding_the_celtic_saints

Ireland/Wales/Scotland:

11thSt Kenneth of Aghaboe. c 525-c 599. Born in the north of Ireland, he was a disciple of St Finian of Clonard and St Cadoc in Wales. He founded the monastery of Agahaboe and perhaps of Kilkenny, which is named after him. He later preached in Scotland where he was the first to build a church in the place now known as St Andrews. He is one of the greatest Irish ascetics and most venerated saints in Ireland after St. Patrick and St. Brigid. He is also among the 12 Apostles of Ireland.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

A much fuller account is here: https://orthochristian.com/74549.html

Italy:

7th – St Justina of Padua. SHE suffered at Padua in the persecution of Dioclesian, about the year 304, or, according to some, in that of Nero. Fortunatus ranks her among the most illustrious holy virgins, whose sanctity and triumph have adorned and edified the church, saying that her name makes Padua illustrious, as Euphemia Chalcedon, and Eulalia the city Emerita. . . . Another famous church of St. Justina stands in the city of Venice, formerly collegiate, now in the hands of nuns. The senate makes to it the most solemn procession on the 7th of October, in thanksgiving for the victory of Lepante, gained over the Turks on that day, which is her festival.

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/074.html

23rd – St Boethius. c 480-524. The statesman and philosopher Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius was the author of De Consolatione Philosophiae. About the year 534 he fell into disfavour with the barbarian king and was martyred at Pavia in Italy. His relics are enshrined at the Cathedral of Pavia.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

For a longer life of St Boethius and for links to some of his works, visit this site: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/boethius

Italy/France:

9thSts Denis, Rusticus, and Eleutherius. + c 250. According to St Gregory of Tours, Denis, or Dionysius, was born in Italy and sent with five other bishops to Gaul: he became the first Bishop of Paris. He and his two companions were beheaded under Decius and the monastery of St Denis was built over their tomb.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

St Denis is one of the patron saints of France.

https://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/iconoftheday/los/October/09-09.htm

https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dionysius_of_Paris

14th – Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius, and Celsus of Milan (+ 1st c.). These martyrs contested for the faith in Milan, and were beheaded under the Emperor Nero. Many years later, their relics were discovered by St Ambrose through a vision, and were given honorable burial.

http://www.abbamoses.com/months/october.html

For more, visit this page: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/14/102964-martyrs-gervasius-nazarius-protasius-and-celsus-of-milan .

Mount Athos:

10th - 26 Monkmartyrs of the Zographou Monastery on Mount Athos (+1284). In the year 1274 at the Council of Lyons (in France), the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Paleologos decided to buttress his waning power by forming a union with Catholic Rome. This step evoked universal discontent. In 1278, the emperor issued a decree to introduce the Union at Constantinople by forceful measures, if necessary. Mt. Athos stood in firm opposition to the Union. The Athonite monks sent a letter to Michael pointing out that the primacy of the Pope, his commemoration in the churches, celebrating the Eucharist with unleavened bread, the insertion of the “filioque” [“and from the Son”] into the Creed, could not be accepted by Orthodox, and they asked the emperor to change his mind. “We clearly see,” the letter said, “that you are becoming a heretic, but we implore you to forsake all this and abide in the teachings that were handed down to you.... Reject the unholy and novel teachings of a false knowledge, speculations, and additions to the Faith.” The Crusaders pushed out of Palestine and finding refuge in the Byzantine Empire, declared to the emperor their readiness to affirm the power of the Pope by fire and sword, if necessary. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/10/108024-26-martyrs-of-the-zographou-monastery-on-mount-athos-at-the-hand .

Old Rome:

5th – St Galla. + c 550. A lady in Rome who, as a widow, led the life of an anchoress on the Vatican Hill, where she died of breast cancer.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More details: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/052.html

19th – Sts Ptolemy and Lucius and a third martyr companion. + c 165. Martyrs in Rome under Antoninus Pius. Ptolemy was put to death for instructing a woman in the Orthodox Faith. One Lucius and an unnamed man protested against the injustice of the sentence and were also martyred. Their story was written down by St Justin Martyr, their contemporary.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/192.html

29th – Sts Anastasia and Cyril. + c 253. Early martyrs in Rome. The former was bound with chains in Valerian's persecution under the Prefect Probus, tortured, her breasts cut off, her nails torn out, her teeth broken, her hands and feet cut off, and being beheaded, she passed to her Bridegroom; Cyril, who offered her water when she begged for it, received martyrdom as his reward.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More details are here: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/29/103099-monastic-martyr-anastasia-of-rome

Old Rome/Mesopotamia:

23rd – St Macarius the Roman (+4th/5th hundredyear). One day, the cave where holy ascetic Makarios lived was found by three monks from the Monastery of Saint Asclepius in Mesopotamia. Sergius, Hyginos and Theophilos had left the monastery in order to wander through the world, seeking a sign from God which would be beneficial for their salvation. Suddenly, as they approached the cave, they noticed a marvelous fragrance issuing forth from it. Then they saw an old man walking toward them, covered only by his hair and a beard which reached his knees. He threw himself to the ground and remained there for several minutes, until he was sure the three strangers were not really demons. When he was satisfied that he was not experiencing some sort of delusion, he invited them into his cave. The oldest monk asked him to relate his story, which he did. Saint Makarios told them that he was born in Rome and was the son of a wealthy Senator named John. When he was old enough to be married, his parents betrothed him against his will. There was a celebration following the wedding, but instead of entering the bridal chamber, he fled to the home of a pious widow, where he spent seven days secretly weeping and entreating God to help him. . . . The rest is at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/23/206395-saint-macarius-the-roman-of-mesopotamia .

Palestine:

17thHoly Prophet Hosea.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/17/102983-prophet-hosea

19th – Holy Prophet Joel.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/19/102997-prophet-joel

28th – St Cyriacus and his mother Anna, martyrs (+363). Cyriacus was born a Jew and bore the name Judas before believing in Christ. He was one of the workers employed by Saint Helena when she came to Jerusalem to uncover the Cross of Christ. Thus, he was an eye-witness to the Cross' discovery and the many miracles wrought by it; he believed in Christ ,was baptized, and in time became a Bishop in the Church of Jerusalem. He lived into the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363). The tyrannical Emperor, who was passing through Palestine on the way to Persia (where he would die), had the holy bishop seized and subjected to horrid tortures to force him to deny Christ. Cyriacus' mother Anna rushed to his side to encourage him and bid him farewell; she also was seized, and the two gave up their souls to God on the same day.

http://www.abbamoses.com/months/october.html

Palestine/Asia Minor:

16th – St Longinus the Centurion (+1st hundredyear). This is the Centurion who stood at the Cross of Christ and, seeing Him breathe his last, cried out "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54). From that day forth he was a believer, and was soon baptized. According to some accounts, he was one of the guard at the Tomb of Christ, and was one of those whom the Judaean leaders sought to bribe not to tell the news of the Resurrection. But Longinus would not be bribed, so the leaders plotted to kill him. He left the army and went to his homeland of Cappadocia, where he boldly preached Christ. He was beheaded at the instigation of Pontius Pilate.

http://www.abbamoses.com/months/october.html

For a longer version: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/16/102980-martyr-longinus-the-centurion-who-stood-at-the-cross-of-the-lord

Palestine/Cyprus:

21stSt Hilarion the Great (+371-2). A spiritual son of St Anthony the Great of Egypt, he himself became a great monastic founder, spiritual father, and wonderworker of the Palestinian lands.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/21/103009-venerable-hilarion-the-great

Spain:

13th – Sts Faustus, Januarius and Martial. +304. Martyrs in Cordoba in Spain under Diocletian and called 'The Three Crowns of Cordoba'.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

19th – St Laura. +864. Born in Cordoba, in Spain, as a widow she became a nun at Cuteclara. Condemned as a Christian by the Moors she was thrown into a cauldron of molten lead.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

22nd – Sts Nunilo and Alodia. +851. Two sisters born in Adahuesca in Huesca in Spain. Daughters of a Muslim father and Christian mother, they were raised as Christians. After the death of their father, their mother married another Muslim, who brutally persecuted them and had them imprisoned. They were finally beheaded in Huesca during the persecution of Abderrahman II.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about these praiseworthy sisters is here: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/222.html

Spain/Africa:

30th – Sts Marcellus and Cassian. + 298. A Roman centurion in Tangier in North Africa. During a festival in honour of the Emperor, he refused to join in the pagan celebrations and declared himself to be Orthodox. The notary, St Cassian, who refused to write the official report was also martyred, as were the sons of St Marcellus, Claudius, Lupercus, and Victorius.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about Sts Marcellus and Cassian: https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/301.html

Switzerland/France/Belgium:

16th – St Mummolin. + c 686. Born in Constance in Switzerland, he became a monk at Luxeuil in France and was eventually sent to St Omer and made Abbot of the Old Monastery (now Saint Mommolin). From there he became Abbot of Sithin, founded by his friend St Bertinus. Finally in 660 he was made Bishop of Noyon-Tournai in Belgium.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/163.html

Syria:

1st – St Ananias, who restored the sight of the Holy Apostle Paul.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/01/102825-apostle-ananias-of-the-seventy

Syria/Constantinople:

1stSt Romanos the Sweet-Singer (+556), one of the most important hymn-writers in Church history.

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/01/102826-venerable-romanus-the-melodist-sweet-singer

Syria/France:

St Aurea. +666. A Syrian, she moved to France and became Abbess of St Martial in Paris, where she remained for thirty-three years.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

WHEN St. Eligius, by the liberality of King Dagobert, settled at Paris a nunnery of three hundred virgins, he appointed Aurea abbess of that numerous family. She walked before them in the exercises of religious perfection, and, in the thirty-fourth year of her abbatial dignity, being invited to glory by St. Eligius in a vision after his death, she exhorted her sisters to rejoice at the near prospect of their bliss, and died on the 4th of October in 666. With her one hundred and sixty of her nuns were swept off by the pestilence. Her nunnery was called St. Eligius’s and St. Aurea’s. Her relics have been in some former ages in equal veneration at Paris with those of St. Genevieve.

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/045.html

Syria/Nicomedia:

2nd – Sts Justina, Cyprian, and Theoctistus, martyrs (+304). An excellent illustration of how the humble Christian Faith can route all the seemingly powerful works of the devil and the demons:

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/02/102835-hieromartyr-cyprian-virgin-martyr-justina-and-martyr-theoctistus

Wales/Brittany:

24th – St Maglorius. + c 575. Maglorius was born in south Wales but went to Brittany with St Samson. Here they became abbots of two monasteries, St Samson at Dol and St Maglorius at Lammeur. St Samson became Bishop of Dol and on his repose was succeeded by St Maglorius, who finally crossed to the Channel Islands and built a monastery on Sark where he reposed.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/243.html

https://celticsaints.org/2020/1024c.html

Wales/England/Cornwall:

8th – St Keyne. 5th cent. Born in Wales, she lived as an anchoress in Cornwall. Some say that Keynsham in Somerset was named after her. A church in Cornwall is dedicated to her.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

More about St Keyne is here: http://orthochristian.com/116654.html

Wales/France/Ireland:

19th – St Ethbin. + c 600. Born in Britain, he was a disciple of St Samson in Brittany. Ordained deacon, he served at the monastery of Taurac until it was destroyed by the Franks. He then went to Ireland and led the life of a hermit near Kildare.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/194.html

Wales/Germany:

21st – St Ursula and her martyr companions. 4th cent.? Early and famous virgin-martyrs in Cologne in Germany.

http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdoct.htm

St Ursula was the inspiration for the formation of the Ursuline nuns, who played a formative role in Louisiana’s early history:

https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/211.html

https://www.nola.com/300/article_b3d91354-6a1a-5811-9bb2-1820588d4a63.html

https://www.uanola.org/about/ursuline-heritage

--

Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!

Anathema to the Union!

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