30 heudar 2016
The Ethiopian Synaxarium
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day died Acadius, Archbishop of the city of Contantinople. This holy man was learned, and excellent, and good, and he translated books of theology, and he was appointed priest in the church of the city of Constantinople. Now a General Council was held in the city of Chalcedon, and this father was not pleased with all that took place thereat. When they searched for him to come because of his knowledge, he made a pretence to them that he was sick. When he heard of the tribulation which they had inflicted upon Saint Dioscurus, Archbishop of the city of Alexandria, he was exceedingly sorry, and he began to curse their Council before his companions, and friends, and the principal military officers of the Government whom he knew to be Orthodox, and whose works he knew to be good. And he said, “I thank God that I did not mix myself up with these evil members of the Council.” When Anatolius, Archbishop of the city of Constantinople, died, the members of the Government, and the military officers and the believers chose this father Acacius to be Archbishop of Constantinople, because they knew he was Orthodox. And they appointed him archbishop because they had hope in him and thought that he would be able to remove from the Church division and enmity. When he was appointed he found the disease of division and enmity therein, and he strove diligently and in every way possible to remove it, but could not do so in the least degree; only God Himself could do it. And he thought in his heart and said, “It will be best for me to save myself.” First of all he sent a letter to Abba Peter, Archbishop of the city of Alexandria, confessing therein to him the True Faith of the Holy Trinity, which he had learned and
received from the divine fathers Abba Cyril and Abba Dioscurus; and then he continued to write very many letters asking him to support him in priestly fellowship. When Peter received his letters he wrote a letter of acceptance and [another] letter dealing with general matters, and sent them off in charge of three bishops. And the bishops came to the city of Constantinople secretly, and they gathered together this father Acacius, and they gave him the letter of Abba Peter; and Acacius treated them with great honor, and received the letters from them with great joy. And he read the letter before his friends, and the Orthodox nobles of the city, and they all confessed with him the True Faith as it was written in the letter of Saint Abba Peter. Then he wrote a letter with his own hand before them accepting [the Faith] of Abba Dioscurus and Abba Timothy, and Abba Peter, and he confessed that they were of the True Faith, and he excommunicated all those who were opposed to them. Then he took the three bishops and carried them away with him to a certain monastery which was outside the city of Constantinople, and he prepared the Eucharist and they took part with him in the Liturgy and in the Offering, and they took from him the letter which he had written and they were blessed by him and he by them, and then he set them on their way and bade them farewell in peace. When they came to Abba Peter they told him everything, which had happened, and also how they had taken part together with Abba Acacius in the Liturgy and the Offering, and how he had accepted his letter; and he preached in his name at the time of the Offering and the consecrations and the prayers. And the report of him was heard by the Bishop of Rome, and he drove Abba Acacius from the throne of Constantinople, and he died in exile, being strong in the True Faith. Salutation to Acacius the successor of Anatolius.
And on this day also are commemorated Mercurius the martyr, and the consecration of the church of Cosmas and Damianus, and their brethren, and the death of Gabra Maskal, King of Ethiopia, the Orthodox [died A.D. 1344]. Salutation to Gabra Maskal, who hath passed to the city of light. Salutation to Gabra Maskal who rejoiced in the power of God.
And on this day also Anianus of Amid [the Stylite], and Peter became [martyrs].
Here endeth what shall be read during the blessed month of Khedar. [Here follows in the Bodleian MS, the following . . . God, the Most High. Who is to be praised? Blessed be His Name. Praise to Him [is due] from us. May there be to us mercy from Him. For every eye awaiteth Him. It is He Who beginneth, it is He Who finisheth. Everything is ruled by Him. Let us worship Him. And He is our help for ever and ever, Amen and Amen; so be it, so be it!]
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
Saint Markos
St. Mark the Evangelist
ቅዱስ ማርቆስ
John the baptist
ዮሐንስ መጥምቅ