Saint Methodios was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from March 4, 843 to June 14, 847. However, he was born and raised in Syracuse and did not forget a popular saint of nearby Catania, Saint Agatha, when he was Patriarch of Constantinople. In fact, there were two churches in Constantinople dedicated to her. For this reason he preached an encomium in her honor on her feast day, February 5th, of which an excerpt can be read below.
My fellow Christians, our annual celebration of a martyr’s feast has brought us together. She achieved renown in the early Church for her noble victory; she is well known now as well, for she continues to triumph through her divine miracles, which occur daily and continue to bring glory to her name.
My fellow Christians, our annual celebration of a martyr’s feast has brought us together. She achieved renown in the early Church for her noble victory; she is well known now as well, for she continues to triumph through her divine miracles, which occur daily and continue to bring glory to her name.
