Today, the Church celebrates the finding of the sacred relics of the Saints and Wonderworking Unmercenaries, Cyrus and John, included in the choir of the twenty Holy Unmercenaries, who, with the power of God, offered people physical and spiritual healing for free, therefore they were named Unmercenaries.
Today, we also celebrate the memory of Martyr Pappios.
St. Cyrus came from Alexandria and St. John from Edessa, Syria. They lived around the end of the 3rd century AD, when Diocletian was the Emperor of Rome, and they practiced the humanitarian work of the physician, with scientific efficiency and philanthropy to the sick fellow man.
They were not content with just treating the patients’ physical pains but felt the value of man as a psychosomatic entity, so they urged patients to voluntarily believe in Christ and consciously acknowledge Him as a true God. For this work, the Holy Unmercenaries were arrested and after various torture, they martyred by beheading.
Some Christians secretly buried their relics, which were found in the year 400, when Arcadius reigned in Constantinople. The finding of the relics came with many miracles, which is still the case, as people revere the Saints and pray for their help.
Additionally, today’s invocation to the doctors of Holy Unmercenaries brings to our minds all the doctors, and the nursing and paramedical staff of our Hospitals who, impartially, put all their powers and knowledge, but also their unselfish love and respect for the sick fellow man.
Today, the fasting of the Holy Apostles finishes. Tonight in the Vespers we honour the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul.
By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
