January 31, 2017

Holy Martyrs Victorinus, Victor, Nikephoros, Claudius, Diodoros, Sarapinos and Papias of Corinth

Sts. Victorinus, Victor, Nikephoros, Claudius, Diodoros, Sarapinos, Papias (Feast Day - January 31 & April 5)

Verses for January 31

To Victorinus, Victor, Nikephoros
In a smooth stone the members of the three nobles are crushed,
The three perceiving the bodily members of Christ.

To Claudius
Claudios made a good sacrifice to the Lord,
From his body giving his hands and feet.

To Diodoros
In the furnace surrounded by pain,
Entered Diodoros the Martyr and he was crowned.

To Sarapinos
I bear the sword constraining fear,
And how will God bear me Sarapinos.

To Papias
Papias bathed in the sea a bitter bath,
And the sweetness of higher delights he gained.

Verses for April 5

You hasten Claudius to bend your knees,
Being beheaded you ran to God on your knees.
On the fifth Claudius is beheaded at the hands of murderers.

These Saints came from Corinth, and lived during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251). They were arrested because of their Christian confession and faith, and they were brought before Tertius the proconsul, who had authority over the Morea. After punishing them with various torments, each received a different martyric death.

Saints Victorinus, Victor and Nikephoros, the three together, were placed inside a large mortar, and all the members of their body were broken, and they delivered their souls into the hands of God. Saint Claudius had his hands and feet cut off, and he came to an end. Saint Diodoros was put into a fiery furnace, and came to the end of his martyrdom. Saint Sarapinos was beheaded by the sword. And finally Saint Papias was cast into the depths of the sea. All of them received crowns of martyrdom from the Lord.


Apolytikion in the Third Tone
The sevenfold band of Martyrs shone forth as a seven-branched lamp, through the radiance of holy Faith. By their shining contests they illumine the way for those who faithfully cry: blessed Martyrs, pray to Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
O blessed Martyrs, as Christ's courageous soldiers, you scattered the enemy principalities. Rejoicing in one spirit, you proclaimed together: Christ is the crown of Athletes.

Megalynarion
Claudius and Victor the revered, together with Victorinus and Papias the sacred, with Diodoros, divine Nikephoros and also Sarapinos let us all bless.