January 26 is an Orthodox holiday. Church Orthodox holiday of January
* Martyrs Hermilus and Stratonikos (c. 315). * Venerable Irinarch, recluse of Rostov (1616). * Venerable Eleazar of Anzer (1656).
Martyr Peter of Anya (309-310). Venerable James, Bishop of Nizibia (350). Saints Maximus Kavsokalivit, Athos (1354), Nicodemus and Nikifor. Martyrs Athanasius, Pachomius and Papirinus.
Martyrs Ermil and Stratonik
The martyrs Ermil and Stratonik, according to some, were Slavs and friends with each other. Ermil had the rank of deacon. They lived at the beginning of the 4th century, under Emperor Licinius, a persecutor of Christians. At this time, anyone who indicated which of the Christians pleased the king and received a reward from him. This was what was pointed out to the king about Yermil, and he was brought to trial. “Is it true that you are a Christian?” - Licinius asked the martyr. “Not only am I a Christian, but I also serve the invisible God in the office of deacon,” he replied. “So be a deacon with our gods too!” - said the king. “I told you, king, that I serve the invisible God, and not those soulless idols to which you bow. They must be despised, and not served,” answered the saint. The king was angry and ordered to beat him on the cheeks with special copper instruments and then put him in prison so that he would come to his senses. Going to prison, St. The martyr sang: “The Lord is for me, I will not be afraid: what will man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). An angel appeared to him in prison and said: “Do not be afraid, Yermil, you will defeat the machinations of the tormentor and for that you will receive a radiant crown from God.”
“Have you repented?” - Licinius asked Ermil when, three days later, he was taken out of prison. “I have already told you once, king,” answered the martyr, “and you should not ask me anymore.” Then the king ordered to torture him again and asked: “Will you still continue to resist me?” - “I am surprised, king, how you still continue to remain in the darkness of unbelief and do not recognize the bright Christian truth!” - answered St. Ermil. Then the king ordered his stomach to be torn apart with iron eagle claws. Seeing such cruel torment of his friend, Stratonicus began to cry. The king, having learned that he was Ermil's friend and a Christian, ordered to torture him too, and then drown them both in the Istra (Danube) River. Walking to the river, the holy martyrs joyfully sang the song: “Glory to God in the highest.” Martyr Peter.
Venerable Irinarch
The Monk Irinarh was the son of a peasant and was engaged in trade. When he was 30 years old, he took monastic vows at the Rostov Boris-Gleb Monastery. He began to walk barefoot and in rags. To make him walk like all monks walk, the abbot ordered him to be locked in a cold cell for several days and sent to ring the bell tower in severe frosts. Irinarch endured everything with patience and thanked God. For three years he labored in solitude. From here he returned to the monastery with chains on his shoulders and shackles on his legs, chained himself to a chair with an iron chain, attached more than 100 crosses to the chains, and in this position began to struggle. He slept only two hours a day, and spent the rest of the time in prayer and handicrafts; He distributed the money earned from his work to the poor. God has honored the holy gift of clairvoyance. He predicted the invasion of the Poles in 1609. “Who do you recognize as king?” - asked St. Irinarcha, the leader of the Poles, Mikulsky. “I am Russian, and I recognize only the Russian Tsar, and I don’t know others,” he answered, so the Poles were surprised at his courage and left him alone. St. Irinarch blessed PRINCE Pozharsky to fight the Poles and gave him his cross. He labored for 38 years and died at the age of 68, in 1616. He was buried in the monastery, in a grave he dug himself, from which many sick people received healing.
Venerable Eleazar of Anzersky
The Monk Eleazar of Anzer was the son of a Kozel merchant. In his youth, he became a monk at the Solovetsky Monastery. For a solitary life, he retired to Anzersky Island, 20 versts from the Solovetsky Monastery, and spent time in strict fasting and constant prayer. He ate from handicrafts. In 1616 he settled in a cell near the Church of St. Nicholas, at the saltworks. Devotees of a solitary life began to gather here for him, and he arranged cells for them, and thus a monastery was founded. The devil tempted St. in every possible way. Eleazar.
Today is an Orthodox church holiday:
Tomorrow is a holiday:
Holidays expected:
04.05.2019 -
05.05.2019 -
06.05.2019 -
35th Week after Pentecost, Saturday after Epiphany. First voice.
St. Pachomius of Kensky(XVI) (movable celebration on Saturday after Epiphany).
Martyrs Hermilus and Stratonikos (c. 315).
The holy martyrs Hermilus and Stratonik, Slavs by origin, lived at the beginning of the 4th century, under the persecutor of Christians, the emperor Licinius (307-324), and were friends.
Saint Hermil served as a deacon in the city of Singidon (Belgrade). Condemned by Licinius to imprisonment, he was long and cruelly tortured for the Name of Christ, but remained adamant.
Saint Stratonicus was a prison guard and a secret Christian. Seeing the terrible torment of his friend, he could not help but cry and discovered himself to be a Christian. He was also tortured. After torture, the martyrs were sewn up in nets and thrown into the Danube. On the third day, the bodies of the saints were found by Christians on the banks of the river and buried near Singidon. Their honorable heads were in the Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople, where in 1200 they were seen by the Russian pilgrim Anthony.
Venerable Irinarch, recluse of Rostov (1616).
The Monk Irinarch, a recluse of Rostov, was born into a peasant family in the village of Kondakovo, Rostov district. In Baptism he received the name Elijah. In the 30th year of his life, the saint took monastic vows at the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery. There he began to work diligently in monastic deeds, attended church services, prayed at night and slept on the ground.
One day, taking pity on a wanderer who had no shoes, Saint Irinarchus gave him his boots and from then on began to walk barefoot in the cold. The abbot did not like this behavior of the ascetic; and he began to humble him, forcing him to stand for two hours in the cold in front of his cell or ring for a long time in the bell tower. The saint endured everything with patience and did not change his behavior. The abbot continued to be cruel, and the monk was forced to move to the Avramiev Epiphany Monastery, where he was accepted into the ranks of the brethren and was soon appointed cellarer.
The monk fulfilled his obedience with zeal, grieving that the brethren of the monastery and ministers did not protect the property of the monastery, squandering it without measure. Once in a dream he saw the Monk Abramius of Rostov (October 29), who consoled him and blessed him to distribute to everyone what they needed without embarrassment. Once, during the singing of the Cherubim, the Monk Irinarch sobbed loudly. To the archimandrite’s question, he answered: “My mother has passed away!” Leaving the Abramian Monastery, the Monk Irinarch moved to the Rostov Monastery of St. Lazarus, settled in a secluded cell and lived in it for three years in cramped conditions and hunger.
Here he was visited by Blessed John the Fool, nicknamed the Big Cap. The saints supported each other with spiritual conversation. The elder, however, had a desire to return to his original monastery, the Boris and Gleb Monastery. He was received back with love by the builder Varlaam and began to strive even more severely in the monastery. Having secluded himself in seclusion, the ascetic chained himself to a wooden chair with an iron chain, and placed heavy chains and crosses on himself. For this he endured bitterness and ridicule from the monastery brethren.
At that time, he was visited by an old friend, Blessed John the Fool for Fool, who predicted the invasion of Lithuania to Moscow. The Monk Irinarch spent 25 years chained with chains and chains in hard labor. His exploits exposed those who lived carelessly in the monastery, and they lied to the abbot that the elder taught them not to go to monastic work, but to strive like him. The abbot believed the slander and expelled the holy elder from the monastery.
Having humbly submitted, the Monk Irinarch again went to Rostov and lived in the monastery of St. Lazarus for one year. Meanwhile, the Abbot of Borisoglebsk repented of his act and sent monks for the Monk Irinarch. He returned, reproaching himself that he did not live like the brethren, who carried out the righteous labors of which he was deprived. The monk continued to wear his heavy chains and, working, made clothes for the poor, knitted hair scrolls and hoods.
He slept only one or two hours at night, the rest of the time he prayed and beat his body with an iron stick. Saint Irinarch had a vision that Moscow would be captured by Lithuania, and churches in some places would be destroyed. He began to cry bitterly about the impending disaster, and the abbot ordered him to go to Moscow and warn Tsar Vasily Ioannovich Shuisky (1606-1610) about the impending disaster. The Monk Irinarch fulfilled his obedience.
He refused the gifts offered to him and, returning, began to fervently pray that the Lord would have mercy on the Russian land. Enemies came to Rus', began to conquer cities, beat up residents, plundered monasteries and churches. False Dmitry and the second impostor sought to conquer Rus' to the Polish king. The Boris and Gleb Monastery was also captured by enemies, who entered the holy recluse and were surprised at the direct and bold speeches of the elder, who predicted their death.
Sapega, who was staying at the Boris and Gleb Monastery, wished to see the elder sitting in chains, and was surprised at such a feat. When the lords who came with Sapieha told him that the elder was praying for Shuisky, the monk boldly said: “I was born and baptized in Russia, I pray for the Russian Tsar and God.” Sapega answered: “The truth in Dad is great - in which land to live, that land to serve.” After this, the Monk Irinarch began to convince Sapega to leave Russia, predicting his death otherwise.
The Monk Irinarch followed the progress of the war and sent Prince Dmitry Pozharsky his blessing and prosphora. He ordered him to go near Moscow, predicting: “You will see the glory of God.” The monk donated his cross to help Pozharsky and Minin. With the help of God, the Russians defeated Lithuania, Prince Pozharsky took possession of the Kremlin, and peace gradually began to settle in the Russian land.
Elder Irinarh continued to constantly pray to God with tears for the deliverance of Rus' from its enemies and, possessing the power to work miracles, healed the sick and demon-possessed. The day of his death was revealed to him, and he, calling his disciples, Alexander and Cornelius, began to give them instructions and, having said goodbye to everyone, quietly departed to the Lord into eternal rest († January 13, 1616). The holy elder left behind 142 copper crosses, seven shoulder chains, a chain of 20 fathoms, which he wore around his neck, iron leg fetters, eighteen hand shackles, “links” that he wore on his belt, weighing a pound, and an iron stick, which he beat his body and drove away demons. In these labors, as the elder called them, he lived for 38 years, lived in the world for 30 years, and died at the age of 68.
After the death of the Monk Irinarch, many miracles were performed at his tomb, especially healings of the sick and demon-possessed when the crosses and chains of the holy ascetic were placed on them.
St. Eleazar of Anzersky (1656).
Mch. Peter of Anyskiy (309-310).
St. Jacob, bishop Nizibi (350).
St. Maxim Kavsokalivit, Afonsky(Greek).
Mch. Afanasia
Sschmch. Ilaria, bishop Poitiers.
Mchch. Pachomia and Papirina(Greek).
Yerema was advised to watch the cat especially closely (Photo: Jon Beard, Shutterstock) Among the people, this day was named in honor of the church date established in memory of the martyrs Ermilus and Stratonik of Sinigidon (Belgrade). They lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. On this day, due to the cold weather, people were supposed to spend the day at home. People said this: “Herema on the stove - overcome the disease and have no more pain”. Another similar saying went like this: “Erema is on the stove, and the cat is in the stove”. Yerema was advised to pay special attention to the cat living in the house. It is no secret that the weather can be predicted by the behavior of this animal. We still know that if a cat curls up and hides its face, it means we need to wait for frost. However, the forecasts of our ancestors were more varied. For example, they said: “If a cat rolls on the floorboards, heat is knocking on the house; if the wall is torn down, bad weather is at the gate.”. One could also ask the cat for a cure for illnesses. The old people advised, in case of an incomprehensible illness, to observe where the animal most often lies down, “stand in this place and don’t leave it longer”.
Cats were generally revered. It was believed that if someone kills this animal, he will not be happy for seven years. However, there were also more prosaic signs. So, a foggy circle for about a month on Ermilin day foreshadowed a blizzard. Afanasy, Maxim, Peter, Yakov Every year January 26th is celebrated around the world International Customs Day- professional holiday of all customs workers on the planet. In November 1952, the Convention on the Establishment of the Customs Cooperation Council came into force. On January 26, 1953, the first session of the Customs Cooperation Council took place in Brussels, which in 1994 received its current name - the World Customs Organization, WCO. The heads of their customs services from 17 European countries were represented there. 30 years later, in 1983, this particular day was chosen as the annual holiday of International Customs Day. The ideas of the customs community received a great response. Quite quickly, from a modest organization uniting a limited number of European states, the Customs Cooperation Council turned into an authoritative organization of international scale. Currently, the World Customs Organization has 182 member states., which manage more than 98% of all international trade. Three quarters of them are developing countries. International Customs Day is an occasion not only for demonstrating international solidarity among customs services around the world, summing up the work of the year and making plans for the coming year, but also for attracting public attention to the importance of the role of customs in the economic and social development of society. Today more than 800 thousand people celebrate their professional holiday- this is the total number of customs officers around the world. The Russian customs service, with 68 thousand people, is one of the largest. Let us remind you that Russian customs officers celebrate National Customs Day on October 25. Australia Day- the national and favorite holiday of Australians - marks the beginning of the exploration of the Green Continent by Europeans. On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip landed in Sydney Harbor, raised the British flag and founded the first colony - New South Wales. This happened 18 years after the discovery of the continent by Captain James Cook. Philip named the new settlement "Sydney" after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, Secretary of the British Empire from 1784-89, who ordered the fleet. The first fleet consisted of two warships - Sirius and Sepplay - and nine cargo ships. There is a record that the ships carried 192 female prisoners, 564 male prisoners, 450 sailors, civilian and military personnel, 28 wives and 30 children. Until 1808, this day was celebrated as First Landing Day or Founding Day. In 1818 - on the colony's 30th anniversary - Governor Macquarie ordered a 30-gun salute and gave government employees the day off. Soon this tradition was adopted by banks and many public organizations. In 1888, all colonial capitals (except Adelaide) celebrated the centenary of the landing of the first fleet as Jubilee Day, and by 1935 all states in the country celebrated 26 January as Australia Day. For a long time, the official holiday fell on the Monday closest to January 26th. Since 1994, the official holiday and all celebrations fall on January 26th. On Australia Day, the landing of the First Fleet is reenacted across the country, with numerous regattas and parades taking place. The celebration is marked by numerous fireworks. The largest light shows are held annually in the country's third largest city, Perth. On this day, a music festival starts in Sydney and a cricket match in Adelaide. Canberra hosts a live music concert, as well as the presentation of one of the country's most honorable awards - Australian of the Year. Traditionally, the Prime Minister addresses the nation. Australia Day is the perfect time to wear an Australian flag top, hat, socks (whatever!) and wear it with undisguised pride. And it's also time to decorate the house with balloons and flags to make it look festive. There is also a tradition: colleagues of Australians working abroad give them gifts on this day. Australian workers are allowed a long lunch or even... the opportunity to leave work early. While most British Australians consider January 26 a holiday, many Aboriginal people see it as a Day of Mourning. As the true owners of the lands, the Aborigines consider this historical fact to be the beginning of the loss of their rights to live as they have lived for 40 thousand years. Therefore, Indigenous Australians today are making every effort to restore these rights and restore respect for their culture and traditions. Republic Day introduced in India in 1950 and celebrated annually on January 26th. It is a national holiday celebrating the adoption of the Indian Constitution and the country's transition from British dominion status to a republic. The day is celebrated by the widest sections of the country's population. A characteristic feature of this holiday is the organization of festive processions in Delhi, as well as in the capitals of all states. In Delhi, it runs along the central Raj Path Avenue from the Presidential Palace to the India Gate. The procession is formed by colorfully decorated platforms, representing various states of the country to the thousands of spectators gathering on both sides of the avenue. Columns of schoolchildren, scouts, folk dancers, and orchestras also take part in it. This procession is preceded by a solemn ceremony of the arrival of the President and Prime Minister of the country at Raj Path, as well as a military parade of the troops of the capital garrison, during which modern weapons are demonstrated, and squadrons of Indian Air Force aircraft fly over Victory Square - Vijay Chowk. Republic Day is a holiday that celebrates various folk dance and music festivals, theatrical performances and other cultural events. In Delhi, in the days immediately following January 26, a two-day folk dance festival is held at the National Stadium, in which representatives of almost all states of India participate. An interesting afterword to the celebration of Republic Day in Delhi is the “Clear Signal” ceremony, in which the presidential guards take part in picturesque uniforms almost from the time of the Napoleonic wars. It takes place on the second day after the holiday at Vijay Chowk Square in the presence of government leaders and members of the diplomatic corps. Today is January 26 (January 13, old style) - Church, Orthodox holiday today: * Martyrs Hermilus and Stratonikos (c. 315). * Venerable Irinarch, recluse of Rostov (1616). * Venerable Eleazar of Anzer (1656). Martyrs Ermil and Stratonik The martyrs Ermil and Stratonik, according to some, were Slavs and friends with each other. Ermil had the rank of deacon. They lived at the beginning of the 4th century, under Emperor Licinius, a persecutor of Christians. At this time, anyone who indicated which of the Christians pleased the king and received a reward from him. This was what was pointed out to the king about Yermil, and he was brought to trial. “Is it true that you are a Christian?” - Licinius asked the martyr. “Not only am I a Christian, but I also serve the invisible God in the office of deacon,” he replied. “So be a deacon with our gods too!” - said the king. “I told you, king, that I serve the invisible God, and not those soulless idols to which you bow. They must be despised, and not served,” answered the saint. The king was angry and ordered to beat him on the cheeks with special copper instruments and then put him in prison so that he would come to his senses. Going to prison, St. The martyr sang: “The Lord is for me, I will not be afraid: what will man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). An angel appeared to him in prison and said: “Do not be afraid, Yermil, you will defeat the machinations of the tormentor and for that you will receive a radiant crown from God.” Venerable Irinarch The Monk Irinarh was the son of a peasant and was engaged in trade. When he was 30 years old, he took monastic vows at the Rostov Boris-Gleb Monastery. He began to walk barefoot and in rags. To make him walk like all monks walk, the abbot ordered him to be locked in a cold cell for several days and sent to ring the bell tower in severe frosts. Irinarch endured everything with patience and thanked God. For three years he labored in solitude. From here he returned to the monastery with chains on his shoulders and shackles on his legs, chained himself to a chair with an iron chain, attached more than 100 crosses to the chains, and in this position began to struggle. He slept only two hours a day, and spent the rest of the time in prayer and handicrafts; He distributed the money earned from his work to the poor. God has honored the holy gift of clairvoyance. He predicted the invasion of the Poles in 1609. “Who do you recognize as king?” - asked St. Irinarcha, the leader of the Poles, Mikulsky. “I am Russian, and I recognize only the Russian Tsar, and I don’t know others,” he answered, so the Poles were surprised at his courage and left him alone. St. Irinarch blessed PRINCE Pozharsky to fight the Poles and gave him his cross. He labored for 38 years and died at the age of 68, in 1616. He was buried in the monastery, in a grave he dug himself, from which many sick people received healing. Venerable Eleazar of Anzersky The Monk Eleazar of Anzer was the son of a Kozel merchant. In his youth, he became a monk at the Solovetsky Monastery. For a solitary life, he retired to Anzersky Island, 20 versts from the Solovetsky Monastery, and spent time in strict fasting and constant prayer. He ate from handicrafts. In 1616 he settled in a cell near the Church of St. Nicholas, at the saltworks. Devotees of a solitary life began to gather here for him, and he arranged cells for them, and thus a monastery was founded. The devil tempted St. in every possible way. Eleazar. Great Martyr Jacob the Persian. Icon of the Mother of God, the Sign. Saint James, Bishop of Rostov. December 10. Orthodox church calendar * Martyrs Hermilus and Stratonikos (c. 315). * Venerable Irinarch, recluse of Rostov (1616). * Venerable Eleazar of Anzer (1656). Martyrs Ermil and Stratonik The martyrs Ermil and Stratonik, according to some, were Slavs and friends with each other. Ermil had the rank of deacon. They lived at the beginning of the 4th century, under Emperor Licinius, a persecutor of Christians. At this time, anyone who indicated which of the Christians pleased the king and received a reward from him. This was what was pointed out to the king about Yermil, and he was brought to trial. “Is it true that you are a Christian?” - Licinius asked the martyr. “Not only am I a Christian, but I also serve the invisible God in the office of deacon,” he replied. “So be a deacon with our gods too!” - said the king. “I told you, king, that I serve the invisible God, and not those soulless idols to which you bow. They must be despised, and not served,” answered the saint. The king was angry and ordered to beat him on the cheeks with special copper instruments and then put him in prison so that he would come to his senses. Going to prison, St. The martyr sang: “The Lord is for me, I will not be afraid: what will man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). An angel appeared to him in prison and said: “Do not be afraid, Yermil, you will defeat the machinations of the tormentor and for that you will receive a radiant crown from God.” Venerable Irinarch The Monk Irinarh was the son of a peasant and was engaged in trade. When he was 30 years old, he took monastic vows at the Rostov Boris-Gleb Monastery. He began to walk barefoot and in rags. To make him walk like all monks walk, the abbot ordered him to be locked in a cold cell for several days and sent to ring the bell tower in severe frosts. Irinarch endured everything with patience and thanked God. For three years he labored in solitude. From here he returned to the monastery with chains on his shoulders and shackles on his legs, chained himself to a chair with an iron chain, attached more than 100 crosses to the chains, and in this position began to struggle. He slept only two hours a day, and spent the rest of the time in prayer and handicrafts; He distributed the money earned from his work to the poor. God has honored the holy gift of clairvoyance. He predicted the invasion of the Poles in 1609. “Who do you recognize as king?” - asked St. Irinarcha, the leader of the Poles, Mikulsky. “I am Russian, and I recognize only the Russian Tsar, and I don’t know others,” he answered, so the Poles were surprised at his courage and left him alone. St. Irinarch blessed PRINCE Pozharsky to fight the Poles and gave him his cross. He labored for 38 years and died at the age of 68, in 1616. He was buried in the monastery, in a grave he dug himself, from which many sick people received healing. Venerable Eleazar of Anzersky The Monk Eleazar of Anzer was the son of a Kozel merchant. In his youth, he became a monk at the Solovetsky Monastery. For a solitary life, he retired to Anzersky Island, 20 versts from the Solovetsky Monastery, and spent time in strict fasting and constant prayer. He ate from handicrafts. In 1616 he settled in a cell near the Church of St. Nicholas, at the saltworks. Devotees of a solitary life began to gather here for him, and he arranged cells for them, and thus a monastery was founded. The devil tempted St. in every possible way. Eleazar. Orthodox and Church holidays in January.Old style date: January 13
Name day on this day
International Customs Day
On January 26, 1953, the first session of the Customs Cooperation Council took place (Photo: Casper1774 Studio, Shutterstock) Australia Day
The celebration is marked by numerous fireworks (Photo: Tony Bowler, Shutterstock) Republic Day in India
The parade of troops takes place in the main squares of cities (Photo: JeremyRichards, Shutterstock)
Martyr Peter of Anya (309-310). Venerable James, Bishop of Nizibia (350). Saints Maximus Kavsokalivit, Athos (1354), Nicodemus and Nikifor. Martyrs Athanasius, Pachomius and Papirinus.
“Have you repented?” - Licinius asked Ermil when, three days later, he was taken out of prison. “I have already told you once, king,” answered the martyr, “and you should not ask me anymore.” Then the king ordered to torture him again and asked: “Will you still continue to resist me?” - “I am surprised, king, how you still continue to remain in the darkness of unbelief and do not recognize the bright Christian truth!” - answered St. Ermil. Then the king ordered his stomach to be torn apart with iron eagle claws. Seeing such cruel torment of his friend, Stratonicus began to cry. The king, having learned that he was Ermil's friend and a Christian, ordered to torture him too, and then drown them both in the Istra (Danube) River. Walking to the river, the holy martyrs joyfully sang the song: “Glory to God in the highest.” Martyr Peter.Other Orthodox holidays and Saints:
St. Maximus the Confessor is a Christian monk, theologian and philosopher. Day of St. Maximus the Greek. February 3rd. Orthodox church calendar
Venerable Martinian of Athens. Venerable Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming. February 26. Orthodox church calendar
Venerable Ferapont of Belozersky. Reverend Neil Stolobensky. Saint John the Russian. Memory of the Monk Ferapont of Monza. the 9th of June. Orthodox church calendar
Peter and Fevronia are the patrons of family and marriage. Reverend Confessor Nikon. July 8. Orthodox church calendar
Martyr Peter of Anya (309-310). Venerable James, Bishop of Nizibia (350). Saints Maximus Kavsokalivit, Athos (1354), Nicodemus and Nikifor. Martyrs Athanasius, Pachomius and Papirinus.
“Have you repented?” - Licinius asked Ermil when, three days later, he was taken out of prison. “I have already told you once, king,” answered the martyr, “and you should not ask me anymore.” Then the king ordered to torture him again and asked: “Will you still continue to resist me?” - “I am surprised, king, how you still continue to remain in the darkness of unbelief and do not recognize the bright Christian truth!” - answered St. Ermil. Then the king ordered his stomach to be torn apart with iron eagle claws. Seeing such cruel torment of his friend, Stratonicus began to cry. The king, having learned that he was Ermil's friend and a Christian, ordered to torture him too, and then drown them both in the Istra (Danube) River. Walking to the river, the holy martyrs joyfully sang the song: “Glory to God in the highest.” Martyr Peter.
