THE HOLY MARTYRS HERACLIUS

May 18

From the Prologue

All three were Athenians. They suffered for the Faith during the reign of Decius. For the Name of Christ, they were burned in a fiery furnace.

HYMN OF PRAISE

SAINT THEODOTUS

Near Ancyra, on a hill green,

There, a group of persecuted Christians

With a blessing, lunch they ate.

What the sun is, among the shining stars,

In this group, that Theodotus was,

And next to him, the presbyter Fronto.

And Theodotus to Fronto speaks:

For a church, this spot is suitable

Over the relics of martyrs honorable!

Fronto to Theodotus replies:

You endeavor, most wonderful man,

Relics of the martyrs, obtain for us,

A church, we will easily build,

This place, with a church to adorn.

Theodotus, the all-wonderful smiled,

From his right hand, a ring he removes,

And to the honorable Fronto gives it,

And these words, to him he speaks:

My honorable word I give you and, the ring, a pledge

Relics will I soon procure

And on this spot to place them!

This Theodotus prophesying said:

His own suffering, was prophesying,

And for Christ, his martyrdom,

As he said, so it happened.

There, his relics were placed,

And over them, a church was built,

Of immortal victory, a wonderful memory

Near Ancyra, on a hill green.