Byzantine Saints: Holy 40 Women Martyrs & Martyr Ammon the Deacon at Heraclea (1 September)

About this sermon

On September 1, the Church commemorates the Holy Forty Women Martyrs and their teacher, St. Ammon the Deacon, who suffered for Christ at Heraclea in Thrace during the fourth century. When the women were arrested and commanded to worship idols, the courageous Celina gathered them in her home with Deacon Ammon, who strengthened them for martyrdom. Reading their names one by one, he urged them to strive for Christ so that the Lord would call each of them by name at the gates of the Heavenly Kingdom and bestow the crown of eternal life. The martyrs steadfastly confessed their faith, prayed and shattered the idols. Ammon endured terrible tortures but was miraculously preserved. As the saints were taken to Heraclea, Christ appeared and encouraged them. They also prayed at the relics of the Virgin Martyr Glyceria, who appeared and welcomed them as her future companions in Christ. When thrown before wild beasts, the animals fell asleep and refused to harm them. The martyrs then foretold the victory of St. Constantine and the triumph of Christianity. Sealed with the sign of the Cross, they accepted different forms of martyrdom while praising God. Their witness reminds us that Christ knows His faithful servants by name and prepares an eternal crown for those who persevere unto death. 🙏 Holy Forty Women Martyrs and St. Ammon, pray for us! 00:00 The Forty Women Martyrs and St. Ammon 00:26 Christians arrested at Adrianople 00:41 Celina gathers the holy women 00:48 Deacon Ammon prepares them for martyrdom 00:57 Christ will call each martyr by name 01:14 Their steadfast confession and shattered idols 01:31 The torture of St. Ammon 01:39 Ammon is miraculously preserved 01:48 Journey from Beroea to Heraclea 01:57 At the relics of St. Glyceria 02:05 St. Glyceria welcomes her companions 02:22 Wild beasts refuse to attack 02:30 Prophecy of Christianity’s victory 02:44 Ten martyrs enter the flames 02:52 St. Ammon and eight women are beheaded 03:00 The remaining martyrs receive their crowns 03:08 Names preserved in the ancient martyrology 03:33 Pagan names sanctified through martyrdom 03:41 The example of Saints Boris and Gleb 03:56 Closing reflection #OrthodoxChristianity #LivesOfTheSaints #HolyMartyrs #ChristianMartyrs #FaithAndCourage #EasternOrthodox #OrthodoxFeasts #OrthodoxSaints https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Suffering & Trials
• Leadership
• Holiness
• Service & Ministry