Saint of the Day – 22 December – St. Chaeremon & St. Ischyrion & Other Martyrs
In his letter to Fabian, the Bishop of Antioch, St. Dionysius of Alexandria speaks of Christians who suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Decius.
Many were driven to flee into the desert where they suffered hunger, exposure, and died prey to either wild beasts, or at the hand of men just as wild. A good number were also sold into slavery.
St. Dionysius particularly mentions a very old man, the Bishop of Nilopolis, by name of Chaeremon who, with a companion, disappeared into the mountains of Arabia. Though a search was carried out, not even their bodies were found.
In the same letter St. Dionysius also mentions the name of Ischyrion, the procurator of a magistrate of Egypt.
When ordered by the Egyptian official to sacrifice to the idols, Ischyrion refused so steadfastly that neither abuse nor threats could make him change his mind. The enraged magistrate then had him mutilated and impaled. A great many other martyrs are included here who gave their lives for Christ Jesus at this time in Egypt.
AND today it seems to be repeating itself, Christians are persecuted in these regions. Let us Pray for them all today!
O New Martyrs, through a malevolent force as old as Eden you now number among the ancient holy ones; keep us particularly in your prayers, as once again we are focused on the mysterious lands where humanity first came into being and into knowing and where all will finally be revealed. Pray that we may put aside all that is irrelevant to the moment and looking forever to the East, prepare our spirits for the engagements into which we may be called, whether we live amid these places of ancient roads and portals, or in the most modern of dwellings.
Mary, the God-bearer, pray for us,
Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us,
Saint John the Forerunner, pray for us,
All Holy Men and Women, pray for us.
Amen, Amen.
AnaStpaul 