Averkios, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Wonderworker of Hierapolis
October 22
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon
of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved
the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Avercius,
intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The Church of all the faithful doth acclaim thee, O Abercius, as a great priest
and a worthy companion of the twelve Apostles of the Lord. By thy prayers, O
blest Hierarch, keep the Church safe from every vain-minded heresy, unconquered
and unshaken for ever, O thou most wondrous one.
Reading:
Saint Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the times of Marcus
Aurelius, was adorned with the grace of wonderworking and with apostolic zeal.
During a festival in honour of Apollo, the chief deity of Hierapolis, the holy
bishop was instructed in a revelation to destroy the idols. He went to the
temple by night and overturned the statues of Apollo and the others. When this
was discovered, the Saint boldly cried out that the gods, becoming drunk from
the wine of the libations offered them, had struck one against another in their
confusion. A multitude of furious pagans came to avenge the insult to their
gods, but when the Saint cast the demons out of three afflicted young men, fear
fell upon the idolaters and they with the whole city became Christian. After
many labours, and afflictions, Saint Abercius reposed in peace about the year
167 (or, according to some, 186).
October 22
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon
of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved
the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Avercius,
intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The Church of all the faithful doth acclaim thee, O Abercius, as a great priest
and a worthy companion of the twelve Apostles of the Lord. By thy prayers, O
blest Hierarch, keep the Church safe from every vain-minded heresy, unconquered
and unshaken for ever, O thou most wondrous one.
Reading:
Saint Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the times of Marcus
Aurelius, was adorned with the grace of wonderworking and with apostolic zeal.
During a festival in honour of Apollo, the chief deity of Hierapolis, the holy
bishop was instructed in a revelation to destroy the idols. He went to the
temple by night and overturned the statues of Apollo and the others. When this
was discovered, the Saint boldly cried out that the gods, becoming drunk from
the wine of the libations offered them, had struck one against another in their
confusion. A multitude of furious pagans came to avenge the insult to their
gods, but when the Saint cast the demons out of three afflicted young men, fear
fell upon the idolaters and they with the whole city became Christian. After
many labours, and afflictions, Saint Abercius reposed in peace about the year
167 (or, according to some, 186).
