July 23
The holy martyrs Trophimus and Theophilus and their companions suffered martyrdom by beheading during the reign of the emperor Diocletian. (4th century)
The holy martyrs Appolinaris and Vitalis, bishops of Ravenna. While spreading the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations, Appolinaris was a good pastor who went before his flock (cf John 10:4) It is said that he was decorated with the glorious honor of martyrdom at the church of Classis near Ravenna in Flaminia. He is said to have been the first bishop of Ravenna. On this day, it is said, it was commanded by God that a famous basilica be built under the name of Vitalis, bishop at Ravenna in Flaminia, in that city. Because of his undaunted faith, tenaciously held, he has been honored from time immemorial with the holy martyrs Valeria, Gervasius, Protasius and Ursicinus. (2nd century)
At Vespers
music (samohlasen)
At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the holy martyrs.
Tone 1, special melody Vsechvalnyj mučenicy. Undaunted, you entered the judgment hall, O martyr; you endured sufferings and laceration, and were wounded, wounding the enemy contender; and you grasped the victory over him, O Trophimus. Therefore, pray that our souls be given peace and great mercy.
Leading a choir of martyrs with yourself you suffer, O wise one; and rejoicing with them, you have received heavenly blessings as is proper. With them remember us who praise you with faith, entreating Christ, that he grant our souls peace and great mercy.
O you faithful, let us praise the martyrs, Trophimus and Theophilus, and the other thirteen; for, having quenched the fire of deception with their precious b1ood, they live already in the kingdom on high, ever asking that our souls be given peace and great mercy.
Glory, now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos.
Troparion, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
OR:
Troparion, Tone 4. O unconquerable martyrs, like soldiers, you entered the tribunal of the unbelievers. You suffered many torments for the sake of the faith, professing Christ with fortitude. Intercede with him, O Trophimus, and Theophilus and your companions, for what we need, for we now sing of your sufferings, O unconquerable passion-bearers.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the July Menaion
Troparion, Tone 4. O unconquerable martyrs, like soldiers, you entered the tribunal of the unbelievers. You suffered many torments for the sake of the faith, professing Christ with fortitude. Intercede with him, O Trophimus, and Theophilus and your companions, for what we need, for we now sing of your sufferings, O unconquerable passion-bearers.
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 1. You embrace all your sufferings with heroic stance, * and you were arrayed with glory, O blessed saint. * You turned a wolf into a lamb by divine grace * and inspired him to join you in martyrdom. * For this we praise you, O glorious Trophimus.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4 (Ps. 15:3,8).
To all the saints in his land, * the Lord has shown all the wonders of his will.
V. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 33:18,20). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and rescued them from all their distress.
V. Many are the trials of the just, but from them all the Lord will rescue them.
Gospel: (of the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Also on this day:
Blessed Basil Hopko, Bishop of Medila, son of Anna Petrenko and Basil Hopko, poor landless peasants. His father died when the boy was just a year old, and when he was four his mother emigrated to the United States to look for work. Educated in Hungary, graduating with honors in 1923. Trained at the Eparchial Seminary, Prjashev, Czechoslovakia. He had dreams of joining his mother in the United States, and of persuing his vocation there, but the cost of recurring health problems left him unable to afford to travel. When he finally decided to serve in his native land, he was suddenly cured, and realized he was been given a sign about his calling. Ordained on 3 February 1929. Parish priest in Prague where he was noted for a mission to the poor, the unemployed, and to students. Taught at the Eparchial Seminary in Prjashev. Awarded the title of Monsignor in 1936. Doctor of Theology in 1940. Auxiliary bishop of Prjashev on 11 May 1947.
Arrested on 28 April 1950 as part of the Communist government's suppression of the Greek Catholic Church. He was kept on starvation rations and tortured for weeks, he was eventually given a show trial and sentenced to 15 years for the "subversive activity" of staying loyal to Rome He was repeatedly transferred from prison to prison, and continually abused. His health, physical and emotional, failed, and in 1964 he was transferred to a home for the aged and kept under guard there. Though he managed to overcome severe depression, and went on to minister to a group of 120 nuns imprisoned at the home, he never recovered his physical health.
On 13 June 1968 his original eparchy was restored, but a group of activists insisted that a Slovak bishop be appointed to the see, and Basil was removed. Deep divisions occured throughout the eparchy, not all of which have yet been settled. Father Basil died without being able to resume leadership of his flock. His death was a direct result of imprisonment, and he is considered one of the many martyred by Communism.
At Vespers
At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the blessed martyr.
Tone 6, special melody Vsju otloživše. Wholly consecrated, * you have appeared as a God-bearer. * As holy chrism of God, * you are clothed with the Holy Spirit. * You have entered serenely into the Holy of Holies, * and are illumined by the splendor proceeding from God, * and you partake of the holy mysteries of grace* as a tue and most glorious bishop, O Basil. * With boldness, intercede for our souls.
Your life was resplendent * with the radiance of virtue, O blessed bishop Basil; * you truly appeared as a bright sun, * and illumined the faithful, dispersing the darkness of deceit. * You became, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, a son of the day, * and now you live where the never-setting Light shines. * Therefore, we honorably celebrate * your divine and light-bearing memory. * O ever-memorable Basil, we lovingly venerate you.
Your mind has been deified, * for it is directed toward God and nourished by faith. * You are wise in the ways of God! * You learned about incorruption in a mortal and corrupt body. * You have aquired the serenity of the angels. * Although you contained passions within you, * you adorned yourself with impassivity. * O father Basil, wisest of bishops, * you are a bright light and intercessor * for those who lovingly keep your memory.
Glory, now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos.
Troparion, Tone 5. O faithful, let us praise a confessor of firm faith, let us honor with songs a high priest and good shepherd. He did not fear the infernal malice of the powerful of this world; he did not bow his head before the enemies of Christian unity. Therefore, let us with joy cry out to him: Rejoice, O bishop martyr Basil, a brilliant luminary of our Church.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the July Menaion
Troparion, Tone 5. O faithful, let us praise a confessor of firm faith, let us honor with songs a high priest and good shepherd. He did not fear the infernal malice of the powerful of this world; he did not bow his head before the enemies of Christian unity. Therefore, let us with joy cry out to him: Rejoice, O bishop martyr Basil, a brilliant luminary of our Church.
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 1. You embrace all your sufferings with heroic stance, * and you were arrayed with glory, O blessed saint. * You turned a wolf into a lamb by divine grace * and inspired him to join you in martyrdom. * For this we praise you, O glorious Trophimus.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4 (Ps. 15:3,8).
To all the saints in his land, * the Lord has shown all the wonders of his will.
V. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 33:18,20). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and rescued them from all their distress.
V. Many are the trials of the just, but from them all the Lord will rescue them.
Gospel: (of the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!