By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church celebrates the memory of Saint Samson the Hospitable today and invites us to imitate his humiliation and charity for which he was notable.
We also celebrate the memory of Hieromartyr Pierius, who lived in the mid-3rd century and early 4th century AD. He was Presbyterian and head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He was burned to death.
He was notable for his simplicity, poorness and wisdom. He had the skill of an exegetical writer, interpreting according to the Holy Bible and the Tradition of the Orthodox Church important theological issues necessary for the spiritual maturity and prospect of redemption of the faithful.
Saint Sampson the Hospitable was born in Rome in the early 6th century AD and was the son of rich and illustrious Roman parents. At the same time Sampson received a large inheritance, and his parents taught him to manage it with distinction and humiliation.
He studied philology, philosophy and medicine, and was notable for his great intelligence and receptiveness.
The main feature, however, of his personality was his faith in God and the love for his neighbour, by devoting much of his time to helping the poor and sick free of charge.
He was named Hospitable because, in addition to his visits to the patients’ homes, he turned his home to a hospital, where he cured the poor and sick.
In Constantinople, where he went after the death of his parents, he established a large hospital, in which he gave the sick medicine for both soul and body, counselling each one to fulfill the requirements of the Christian faith, after having been ordained a priest.
He died of old age, serving as an example of charity and hospitality, the gifts that the Holy Spirit gave him.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus