The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia (Arbhin Sohde D'Sebastia)

The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia (Arbhin Sohde D'Sebastia)

March 9th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste (Arbhin Sohde d'Sebastia) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.In 320AD, forty Christian soldiers of the Roman 'Thundering Legion' became martyrs at Sebastia on the banks of River Kizil in Lesser Armenia (today in Central Turkey). During the persecution unleashed by the Emperor Licinius on Christians, the Governor Agricolaus commanded soldiers to worship idols. Having disobeyed the command, the soldiers were tortured & imprisoned. Even after reexamination by the judge, they continued steadfastly in faith. Subsequently, they were left naked on the ice of a frozen pond, with baths of hot water on the banks as a temptation to renounce their faith. One of them succumbed to the temptation & his place was taken by a soldier of the guard, who confessed his Christian faith. The soldiers all perished due to severe hypothermia. Thus they attained the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were then stacked together on a pyre & burnt to ashes. Their ashes were recovered & revered as relics, countless churches were dedicated in their honour. The story of their martyrdom is narrated by St. Basil of Caesaria, St. Gregory of Nyssa & in works attributed to St. Ephrem the SyrianVeneration of the martyrs & hymns in remembrance are found in the Syriac Orthodox Phanqitho. The hymns compare the Forty Martyrs to the forty palms in the vision of Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40-41), stars that removed the darkness of idolatry, the lamps of Sebastia that shone through the night & shed light throughout the world, & diamonds that glitter on the crown of the Holy Church. During the prayers in remembrance of the Holy 40 Martyrs, 40 genuflections are made in their honour.The Phanqitho names these martyrs: Dumitianus, Alexandrios, Kyrillos, Plabius, Smargdos, Xanthius, Sisianus, Levanthius, Severianus, Phileximon, Agagios, Iraqilios, Akdikios, Kurion, Avilus, Euthicius, Husegios, Eunicius, Ilianos, Acacius, Aethius, Athanasius, Nicolaus, Melitian, Candidus, Bibianus, Cydian, Gaius, Sacerdon, Duminos, Gorgonius, Priscos, Theodolus, Anatalius, Melition, Ilinius, Theophilos, Lucimacus, Ivanius, & Cilthodius.Syriac families have a tradition of handing out "Rozune" or blessed bread following prayers. Each member of a family is given a piece. Inside one of the Rozune is money. The one who has money in theirs is said to be particularly blessed for the entire year & their crops/business will be successful.The dukhrono of the 40 Holy Martyrs is celebrated on 9th March if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or the Middle Wednesday of the Great Lent. Otherwise it is celebrated on the nearest Saturday. The reason for this is because Canon 49 of the Council of Laodicea prohibits the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on days other than Saturday, Sunday (and Annunciation and Midlent). Additionally, Canon 51 states, "The nativities [feasts] of Martyrs are not to be celebrated in Lent, but commemorations of the holy Martyrs are to be made on the Sabbaths and Lord's days." However, the dukhrono of the 40 Martyrs has a numerological significance in relation to Great Lent, which is why their feast is important. Sources: SOR website & Miss Ranya Kucukkaplan (tradition of Rozune) Oh Qadishe Arbhin Sohde d'Sebastia! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.Evening:St. Matthew 10:16-33Morning:St. Luke 12:1-12Before Holy Qurbono:Genesis 4:3-11Isaiah 30:1-4Daniel 3:16-25Holy Qurbono:Acts 4:19-31Romans 8:28-9:5St. Mark 8:34-38 http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/Qadishe/40Martyrs.htmlSt. Basil of Caesarea Homily on 40 Martyrs: http://bit.ly/Basil40martyrsSt. Gregory of Nyssa Homily on 40 Martyrs: http://bit.ly/Nyssa40martyrsSt. Severus of Antioch Homily on 40 Martyrs: http://bit.ly/Severus40martyrsMartyrs of Sebastia Promiyon Sedro (courtesy Hymonutho): https://bit.ly/30OO6lLSt. Severus the Great of Antioch Cathedral Homily # 18, 41Fixed Feast