11 Menas
11 Menas
The Holy Martyrs Menas, Victor, and Vincent
Whom the Holy Church Celebrates on November 11.
Saint Menas, who had Egypt as his fatherland, contested in Cotyaeion of
Phrygia in 296, during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. A soldier
distinguished for his valor in war, he renounced his rank and withdrew to
devote himself to ascetical struggles and prayer in the mountains. Filled with
zeal and more than human courage, he presented himself in the midst of a pagan
festival in Cotyaeion and declared himself to be a Christian. After terrible
torments, which he endured with astonishing courage, he was beheaded. His
martyrium in Egypt became a place of universal pilgrimage; evidence of ancient
journeys to his shrine have been found as far away as Ireland. The glory and
refuge of the Christians of Egypt, he has been revealed to be a worker of great
miracles and a swift defender of all who call upon him with faith; besides all else,
he is also invoked for help in finding lost objects.
Saints Victor and Stephanie contested in Damascus in 160, during the
reign of Antoninus Pius. The pagans arrested Saint Victor as a Christian and cut
off his fingers, put out his eyes, and beheaded him. As Saint Stephanie, the wife
of a certain soldier, and a Christian, saw Victor’s nobility in his sufferings, she
loudly cried out to call him blessed and to say that she saw two crowns
prepared, one for him, and one for herself. She also was taken, and was tied to
two palm trees which had been bowed down; when they were released, she was
torn asunder.
The Holy Martyrs Menas, Victor, and Vincent. The Holy Martyr Stephanie.
Saint Vincent is the most illustrious of the Martyrs of Spain. Because of
his virtue, he was ordained deacon by Valerius, Bishop of Saragossa, who,
because of his advanced age and an impediment in his speech, commissioned
Vincent to be a preacher of the Gospel. In 303, the impious emperors Diocletian
and Maximian sent Dacian to Spain as governor, with an edict to persecute the
clergy. Saint Vincent was brought with Bishop Valerius to Valencia; the bishop
was sent into exile, but the holy deacon was tortured on a rack, and after
suffering other cruel torments, gave up his soul into the hands of God on January
22 in the year 304.
Dismissal Hymn of Saint Menas. Plagal of First Tone
Let us worship the Word
W ITH great valor of soul, thou didst strive in Martyrdom, * and having
fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, * thou from heaven
hast received the gift of miracles; * for God hath shown thee to the world * as a
worker of great signs and He made thee our protector * and a swift help in
afflictions and ever‐vigilant defense from harm.
Dismissal Hymn of the Martyrs. Fourth Tone
Be quick to anticipate
W ITH songs of praise, let us hymn the steadfast athletes of Christ: * divine
Victor, Vincent and the noble Stephanie, with Menas the all‐glorious. *
Having crushed the foe in sundry ages and countries, * they rejoice together,
glorified in the Heavens. * Have mercy, O Christ Saviour, on all, by Thy Great
Martyrs’ prayers.
Kontakion of the Martyrs. Plagal of Fourth Tone
A S godly‐minded athletes and Martyrs who strove for piety, * the Church
doth honor and glorify on this day the godly contests and travails * of
Menas the prizewinner, * the noble Victor, brave Vincent, and valiant Stephanie,
* and lovingly doth cry out and glorify Christ, the Friend of man.
Text: The Great Horologion © 1997 The Holy Transfiguration Monastery Brookline, Massachusetts 02445
Icon courtesy The Holy Transfiguration Monastery Brookline, Massachusetts 02445
The Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
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The Holy Martyrs Menas, Victor, and Vincent. The Holy Martyr Stephanie.
The Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
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