In memory of the holy martyr Pancratus, bishop of Tavromen

St. Pancrates was a native of Antioch and was born at the time when our Lord Jesus Christ "appeared on earth and walked among men" (Baruch 3:38), performing miracles in Jerusalem and all the surrounding countries and cities.

His father Pancrates, who lived in Antioch, heard of his glorious miracles and went with some friends and his young son Pancrates to Jerusalem to see the Lord.

Seeing how he taught the people and healed every kind of disease and performed many signs and wonders, he believed in him as the Son of God and became acquainted with some of Christ's holy apostles, most notably with the holy high apostle Peter.

And when Pancrates had been in Jerusalem a long time, and had been glad to see Christ, and to hear His sweet words, his father Pancrates and his friends returned to Antioch.

After the voluntary suffering and death of Christ the Savior, which was followed by His resurrection and ascension, one of the Apostles came to Antioch - this was before St. Peter arrived there and baptized the father of Pancrates with all his household.

After some time both Pancrates' father and mother turned away to the Lord, and Pancrates, renouncing the estate he had inherited from his parents, went to the Pontic Mountains [Pontus - a country that in ancient times occupied the northeastern part of Asia Minor.

Today, on the site of ancient Pontus, there are two Turkish vilayets (regions): Trapezunt and Sivas.] Here, in one of the caves, Pancrates was in solitude, fasting and praying, giving himself to self-knowledge and communicating only with God.

But when the holy apostle Peter had gone out from Jerusalem, and had gone through those countries preaching the Christ, he met him in Pontus Pancrates, and when he had known him, he took him with him to Antioch, and afterwards he went with him to Cilicia, where he met the holy apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul is commemorated by the Church on 29 June.]

Here both Apostles, Peter and Paul, by mutual agreement, appointed bishops: Criscentus - to Galatia, Marcian - to Syracuse [Syracuse - one of the first ancient Greek colonies on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily, founded, according to tradition, by the Corinthians about 753 BC.

In the 4th century B.C.E., the island became the largest and wealthiest city in the island.] , Pancrazia - in Tavromenia, a city of Sicily [Sicily - one of the large islands of the Mediterranean Sea, now part of the Italian kingdom.] .

He boarded a ship bound for Sicily, accompanied by the ship's officers Lycaonides and Romulus, to whom he preached the word of God and the mystery of our salvation.

And when they came to Tavromenia, the demons that were in the idols therein were troubled, and the idols, smitten with the coming of Pancrates, fell and were broken in pieces.

And there were the most revered gods of the Elves: Falcon, Lysippus, and Skanderron [Falcon, Lysippus (or Lys) and Skanderron - secondary gods of ancient Greek religion].

But when St. Pancratus came near the temple, he split in two and fell into the sea with all the idols.

Then came the governor of the city, Boniface, who, having seen and heard the teaching of St. Pancrates, believed and was baptized.

By his labors, undertaken for the glory of Christ's name, within a month a church was built, in which the bishops of God began to serve, teaching and educating the people who gathered to him, bringing with them their sick: the saint confirmed his teaching by signs and wonders, healing all kinds of diseases and casting out diseases

The demons.

The believers continued to grow in number, and the name of the Lord began to be spoken in all the land. The devil stirred up a wicked persecutor named Aquila against the believers.

And when the people of the city heard of it, they were afraid, and the priest comforted them, saying, There shall no hurt come upon you.

And when the enemies approached the city, he went out against them like a spiritual warrior, St. Pancrates with his clergy, carrying with him an invincible weapon - the holy cross of Christ and two holy icons - Christ the Saviour and His Most Holy Mother of God.

And suddenly great fear fell upon the enemies, and they were as it were covered with darkness; and the power of God made them to be astonished, and their minds were darkened, and they smote and slew one another, and cut themselves with the sword.

Then, as soon as they came to their senses, came out of the darkness and saw themselves killing one another, they realized that this was God's punishment for their hostile actions against the Christian city.

The survivors of this fratricidal battle threw down their weapons and appeared before the invincible brave soldier of Christ, St. Pancrates, and fell at his honest feet, begging forgiveness and begging him to make them Christians.

And the people of the city rejoiced in two things: first, that they had been delivered from the terrible enemy, and secondly, that their enemies had become their friends by faith.

And not only this city, but also other surrounding towns were enlightened by the holy faith.

But after the many years that St. Pancrates had been shepherding the newly enlightened flock, some of the Gentiles who had remained, especially those who were malicious and obstinate in their error, agreed with their superior, Artagus, and at the right time they secretly attacked the servant of God,

Then they stoned him.

Thus, St. Pancrates, the apostle's follower, did a good deed and ended his life as a martyr. His relics rest today in Rome, in the church built in honor of St.

Pancratius (his feast day in the Western Church is May 12.) and with the holy Apostles appeared to Christ, their Lord, to behold Him face to face in eternity.

The star appeared to you, Pancratus, bright in the morning, and the priestly martyr appeared to you for Christ.