Hieromartyr Methodius the Bishop of Patara
The Hieromartyr Methodius, Bishop of Patara (Lycia in Asia Minor), was distinguished for his genuine monastic humility. Calmly and with mildness he instructed his flock, but he firmly defended the purity of Orthodoxy and he energetically contended against heresies, especially the widespread heresy of the Origenists.
He left behind him a rich literary legacy: works in defense of Christianity against paganism, explications of Orthodox dogmas against the heresy of Origen, moral discourses, and explanations of Holy Scripture.
St Methodius was arrested by the pagans, steadfastly confessed before them his faith in Christ, and he was sentenced to death by beheading in the year 312.
Troparion — Tone 1
Your blood cries out to God from the earth like that of Abel, / divinely-wise holy hierarch, Methodius. / You openly preached the Incarnation of God, / putting the heresy of Origen to shame. / You were translated to the heavenly bridal chamber: / Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
St. Callistus the Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Callistus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, at first struggled on Athos under the spiritual guidance of Saint Gregory of Sinai (August 8), whose Life he wrote. In 1350, he was elected as Patriarch of Constantinople, serving in that position during the reign of the emperor’s John Kantakuzenos (1341-1355) and John Paleologos (1341-1376).
In 1354, he withdrew to live in silence at the monastery he had built in honor of Saint Mamas at Tenedos. Later, he was elevated to the Patriarchal throne once again (1355-1363).
The holy Patriarch Callistus reposed in the year 1363 in Serbia, where he had traveled with an embassy of Emperor John Paleologos. Saint Callistus is also known as a spiritual writer, and his edifying works appear in the PHILOKALIA with the writings of his close friend Ignatius of Xanthopoulos.
Troparion — Tone 4
You appeared to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility, and a teacher of abstinence. / Because of your lowliness, heaven was opened to you; / because of your poverty, riches were granted to you! / O Holy Patriarch Callistos, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
