†) St. Demetrius the New; Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica

Saint Demetrius the New

He was born early in the thirteenth century to a peasant family in the village of Basarabov, then part of Bulgaria. Even in childhood, he gave himself to fasting and prayer.

Once, walking across a field, he accidentally stepped on a bird’s nest in the grass, killing the young birds. He was so filled with remorse that he went barefoot for three years, winter and summer, in penance. When he was grown he joined a monastery and, after a few years of community life, received a blessing to dwell in a cave near the River Lom.

After many years of solitary struggle, he reposed in his cave. Three hundred years passed, during which all memory of the simple ascetic was lost. Then, one Spring the river flooded the cave and carried off Demetrius’ body, which had lain incorrupt in the cave for centuries. The body was carried downstream and buried in gravel. Another hundred years went by, and the Saint appeared in a dream to a paralyzed girl, telling her to ask her parents to take her to the riverbank, where she would be healed.

The family, along with many clergy and villagers, went to a spot where some local people had earlier seen an unexplained light. They dug and soon unearthed the still-incorrupt and radiant body of St Demetrius, by which the girl was instantly healed. A church was built in the village of Basarabov to honour the precious relics, and through the years the Saint worked many miracles there.

In 1774, during the Russian-Turkish war, General Peter Saltikov ordered the holy relics taken to Russia so that they would not be desecrated by the Turks. When the relics came to Bucharest, a pious Christian friend of the General begged him not to deprive the country of one of its most precious saints; so the General took only one of the Saint’s hands, sending it to the Kyiv Caves Lavra. Saint Demetrius’ body was placed in the cathedral of Bucharest, where it has been venerated ever since.

Every year on October 27, a three-day festival is held in the Saint’s honour, attended by crowds of the faithful.

Troparion — Tone 8

In you, oh, Father, the one created in the image of God was saved, for taking up the Cross, you did follow Christ and, by your deeds, you did teach us to overlook the flesh, for it is perishable, but to be attentive to the soul since it is immortal. Therefore, oh, Venerable Father Demetrius, your spirit rejoices with the angels.

The Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica

He suffered in the year 306 in the city of Thessalonica together with the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.

Troparion — Tone 5

(Podoben: “Let us the faithful praise…”)
As a friend and companion of Saint Demetrios, / you were an invincible athlete of godliness and contended manfully, O blessed Nestor. / With divine help, you conquered Lyaios, / and by being slain you became a holy sacrifice to our God.

Tr by Oca.org

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