Commemoration Day of
Saint Callistratus,
the Forty-Nine Martyrs,
and Priest Lucian (Ghunkianos)
Saint Callistratus and the Forty-Nine Martyrs
Saint Callistratus was of Chaldean origin and served in Rome. As a Christian, he was arrested and subjected to unbearable tortures. Eventually, he was placed in a sack and thrown into the sea, but by God's miraculous power he survived unharmed. Witnessing this miracle, fifty of his companions converted to Christianity. In the year 304, Callistratus and forty-nine of these companions were martyred together for their faith.
Priest Lucian (Ghunkianos)
There are two commemorations of priests named Lucian in the Armenian liturgical calendar, one of whom is referred to as Ghunkianos. One is commemorated on the fifth Monday after Pentecost, while the other is remembered on the first Tuesday of the Fast of Advent (Hisnag).
However, the Armenian Synaxarion (Haysmavurk) mentions only one Priest Lucian, and Patriarch Torgom, in his book Saints and Feasts, also refers to only one Lucian. Likewise, the Greek calendar commemorates only one Priest Lucian. Although the Latin tradition recognizes two priests named Lucian, one of them is relatively obscure and was martyred in Galatia, making it unlikely that he is included in the Armenian calendar, just as he is not included in the Greek tradition. Therefore, we recognize only one Priest Lucian and believe that his commemoration should not appear twice in our calendar.
The well-known Priest Lucian was born in Samosata. He lived and worked during the late third and early fourth centuries. He became the head of the theological school of Antioch, where Arius and Eusebius of Nicomedia (also an Arian) were among his students. Consequently, whether rightly or mistakenly, Lucian is often regarded as the precursor of certain theological ideas that later appeared among the Arians.
Despite these views attributed to him—which were condemned together with Arius at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea—Lucian was known as a virtuous and holy clergyman. The Haysmavurk states: “He was nourished and trained in ascetic practices and a God-pleasing way of life. After losing his parents, he distributed all his possessions to the poor and became a great student of Holy Scripture.”
Although he held only the rank of priest, “by the command of his bishop he became a perfect teacher.” During the persecutions initiated by Emperor Maximinus Daia, Lucian was arrested and taken to Nicomedia. There he remained imprisoned for nine years, enduring many sufferings. After delivering a remarkable defense of his faith, he was beheaded in the year 312.
Lucian is also remembered for his commitment to the literal and historical interpretation of Holy Scripture, rather than the allegorical approach favored by the Alexandrian school of his time. Because of this, he emphasized the textual accuracy of Scripture. He undertook a revision of the Septuagint by comparing it with the original Hebrew text, and this revised version became widely used during the fourth century.
He also made minor grammatical revisions to the New Testament, clarifying ambiguities and refining the language. It is believed that the commonly used text of the New Testament today is based on his recension. Saint Jerome highly praised this revision, and Saint John Chrysostom commended Lucian both for his virtue and his scholarly achievements.
Their feast is celebrated on the fifth Monday following Pentecost.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Proverbs 1:2-9 ~
For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; noto teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young— let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my child, your father's instruction, and do not reject your mother's teaching; for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
~ Isaiah 41:1-3 ~
Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him to his service? He delivers up nations to him, and tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, scarcely touching the path with his feet.
~ Hebrews 12:1-7 ~
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, as welllooking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— "My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts." Endure trials for the sake of discipline.
~ Holy Gospel of St. Mark 13:9-13 ~
"As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.