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THE THIRD MONTH IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, On this day died the holy father Anianus, Archbishop of the city
of Alexandria, the second from Mark the evangelist. This holy man was a native of Alexandria and his parents were
infidel pagans, and his trade was that of a sandal maker.
When Saint Mark the evangelist and apostle came into the city of
Alexandria, by the Will and wisdom of God he struck his foot against a
stone and broke the latchet of his sandals, and he gave the sandal to this
Saint Anianus to sew for him. And
when he took the sandal to sew it, he thrust his awl into it, and it
passed right through it and pierced his finger; and he said in the Greek
tongue, “Istaos (Eis Theos),” which being interpreted is “One
God.” When Saint Mark the
evangelist heard him mention the Name of God, he took up some dust from
the ground and spat spittle upon it, and laid it upon the finger of
Anianus and healed it immediately; and Anianus marveled at this, and he
took Saint Mark and brought him into his house, and he asked him about his
name and Faith, and from what place he had come.
Then Saint Mark began to tell him from the Old and the New
Testaments concerning the Godhead of our Lord Christ, and His wisdom, and
His being made man, and His Death and Resurrection, and the working of
miracles in His holy Name. And
he illumined the heart of Saint Anianus, and he believed in the Lord
Christ, and the men of his house also, and they were baptized in the Name
of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit came
down upon them. And they
became devoted hearers of the doctrine of Saint Mark the apostle, and
Anianus learned all the doctrine of the Church, and her ordinances and her
Law. When Saint Mark the
apostle wished to go to Pentapolis to preach, he laid his hand upon the
head of Saint Anianus and made him Archbishop of the city of Alexandria.
And he used to preach to the men thereof, and baptize them
secretly, and help the believers and strengthen them in the True Faith.
And he set apart his own house for a church, and it is said, that
this church, which is outside the city of Alexandria on the west, was
known to Saint George the martyr. And
this Saint Anianus sat upon the throne of Mark the evangelist twelve
years, and he died in peace. Salutation
to Anianus who protected his flock against the jaws of the ravening wolf,
and received the reward of the shepherd in heaven. Glory
be to God Who is glorified in His Saints.
Amen. |
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