Lives of all saints commemorated on August 12

Today’s hymns speak of how Christ made those who ascended Mt Tabor with Him “partakers of (His) otherworldly glory.” The Apostles, “overcome with fear, fell headlong upon the earth.”

The Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of execution for frightening Christians. The enraged emperor ordered Saint Anicetus to be tortured, and later condemned him to be devoured by wild beasts. But the lions they set loose became gentle and fawned at his feet.

Suddenly there was a strong earthquake, resulting in the collapse of the pagan temple of Hercules, and many pagans perished beneath the demolished city walls. The executioner took up a sword to cut off the saint’s head, but he fell down insensible. They tried to break Saint Anicetus on the wheel and burn him with fire, but the wheel stopped and the fire went out. They threw the martyr into a furnace with boiling tin, but the tin became cold. Thus the Lord preserved His servant for the edification of many.

The martyr’s nephew, Saint Photius, saluted the sufferer and turned to the emperor, saying, “O idol-worshipper, your gods are nothing!” The sword, held over the new confessor, struck the executioner instead. Then the martyrs were thrown into prison.

After three days Diocletian urged them, “Worship our gods, and I shall give you glory and riches.” The martyrs answered, “May you perish with your honor and riches!” Then they tied them by the legs to wild horses. Though the saints were dragged along the ground, they remained unharmed. They did not suffer in the heated bath house, which fell apart. Finally, Diocletian ordered a great furnace to be fired up, and many Christians, inspired by the deeds of Saints Anicetus and Photius, went in themselves saying, “We are Christians!” They all died with a prayer on their lips. The bodies of Saints Anicetus and Photius were not harmed by the fire, and even their hair remained whole. Seeing this, many of the pagans came to believe in Christ. This occurred in the year 305.

Saints Anicetus and Photius are mentioned in the prayers for the Blessing of Oil and the Lesser Blessing of Water (Book of Needs 1987, p. 230).

Saint Alexander, Bishop of Comana, lived in the III century not far from Neocaesarea. He studied the Holy Scriptures, and knew many sciences. Having taken upon himself the exploit (podvig) of foolishness, the Saint lived in poverty, selling coal in the city square. Many, seeing his face always black with charcoal dust, treated him with contempt. When the Bishop of Comana reposed, some proposed to elect a new primate from the nobility, others wanted a learned or eloquent man, and still others a wealthy one.

Then Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea (November 17), who was invited for the consecration of the chosen one, pointed out that a Bishop should have not only external merits and distinctions, but first of all, a pure heart and a holy life. These words caused some to smile: "If you don't look at his appearance or nobility of origin, then Alexander the charcoal-burner could also be made a bishop."

Saint Gregory realized that it was not without God's providence that this man had been mentioned, and asked that he be summoned. The Saint's appearance among those who had gathered caused laughter. Turning respectfully to Saint Gregory, Saint Alexander stood, absorbed in himself, paying no attention to the mockery; the Hierarch tested him, and the charcoal-burner was forced to reveal that he had previously been a philosopher, and had studied Holy Scripture, but for the Lord's sake he took upon himself voluntary poverty and humility. Then the Hierarch Gregory took the charcoal-burner to his house, where he was washed and then dressed in clean clothes. Returning to the Council, Saint Gregory began to put some questions to him about the Holy Scriptures before everyone, which Saint Alexander answered as a knowledgeable and wise pastor.

Seeing this, those present were astonished by his humility, and unanimously elected Saint Alexander as their Bishop. Saint Gregory ordained him as a Presbyter, and then consecrated him as a Bishop. After his consecration the new Hierarch spoke a word to the people, filled with the power and grace of God. Everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent them such a wise shepherd. Under Emperor Diocletian (284-305) the Hierarch courageously confessed Christ, refusing to worship idols. After torturing him they threw him into the fire, and there he surrendered his soul to God.

According to some sources, Saint Alexander suffered during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251).

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Dagestanis were continually raiding and pillaging the Davit-Gareji Wilderness. They destroyed churches and monasteries, stole sacred objects, and tortured and killed many of the monks who labored there.

A Dagestani army invaded the Davit-Gareji Wilderness in the summer of 1851. They looted the Davit-Gareji Lavra and carried off many of the monastery’s sacred treasures and books. Then they took many of the monks captive and tortured a few of the most pious.

First they stabbed Hierodeacon Otar to death, then they beheaded Hieromonk Gerontius. The unbelievers battered Hieromonk Serapion to death with their swords. Monk Herman was stabbed in the stomach, then beheaded. Monk Besarion was also beheaded. The eighteen-year-old Simeon tried to flee on foot but was shot at with bows and arrows, then caught and beheaded. Monk Michael, the most outstanding among the brothers in humility and silence, was subjected to the harshest tortures.

After their martyrdom the bodies of these holy men were illumined with a divine light.

The martyrdom of the holy fathers of the Davit-Gareji Monastery was described in 1853 by Hieromonk Isaac of Gaenati, who witnessed the tragedy. Hieromonk Isaac himself was captured and led away to Dagestan by the merciless bandits. He was later freed through the mediation of Tsar Nicholas I (1825-1855).

The Martyrs Pamphilus and Capiton were beheaded by the sword in the area of Oliurea near Constantinople.