Commemoration DAY of
St. Athenogenes the Bishop,
His Ten Disciples,
and the Five Martyrs
St. Athenogenes the Bishop
The Greek form of his name is Athenogenes. He was born to Christian parents who lived in Sebastia during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
Athenogenes was married and had children. Later he was ordained a priest and subsequently became the chorepiscopus (rural bishop) of his native city.
His sister, Mary (Mariam), was married to Saint Gregory the Illuminator before Gregory entered the service of King Tiridates, during his youth.
According to tradition, Athenogenes, through his prayers and with his pastoral staff, slew a terrifying dragon that had spread fear throughout the region. In gratitude for this miracle, the Metropolitan of Sebastia consecrated him as Bishop of the city of Pitakos.
Later, the governor of the region summoned Athenogenes and his ten disciples before the court. When they refused to offer sacrifices to idols, they were all condemned to death and beheaded for their faith.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator later brought Athenogenes' relics to Armenia together with the relics of Saint John the Baptist, and they were enshrined in the Monastery of Glak in the district of Taron.
The Armenian Church commemorates Saint Athenogenes twice each year:
On the Thursday following the First Sunday after Easter, together with Saint John the Baptist, commemorating the translation of their relics to Armenia.
On the Tuesday following the second Sunday after the Feast of the Transfiguration (Vardavar), together with his ten disciples, a feast corresponding to July 16.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Proverbs 8:1-4 ~
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out: "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.
~ Malachi 2:5-7 ~
My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
~ 1 Peter 5:1-7 ~
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it —not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
~ Holy Gospel of St. John 16:33-17:8 ~
“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.