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The Venerable Fathers Martyred in the Monastery of Saint Sabbas

Monks have been slaughtered here on several occasions by Persians, Arabs and others looking for treasure. On one occasion, 44 unarmed monks were beheaded. Another time, prior to the siege of Jerusalem by the Persians, all of the fathers who would not flee were martyred. Again, righteous martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).

Kontakion:
Shunning all earthly and corruptible pleasures, you chose a life of great ascetical struggles, disdaining worldly beauty and all fleeting fame; wherefore, you dwell joyously in the Kingdom of Heaven with the Martyrs’ holy choirs and the ranks of ascetics. Hence, we revere your memory and cry: From every peril, O Fathers, deliver us.

Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

The first Sunday of Great Lent is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast established by the Empress Theodora for commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is, first of all, the victory of the True Faith. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” (1 John 5:4) Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image.

Troparion:
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ God. Of Your own will You were pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh to deliver your creatures from bondage to the enemy. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world.”