Saints Guri Samon. Prayers to the martyrs and confessors Guria, Samon and Aviv

It is not for nothing that the family is called “bloodless martyrdom.” After all, it is in the family that we can fulfill the commandment prescribed by the Lord to love our neighbor, but instead we often show our ego, with the help of which our passions and vices are actualized and manifested.

As St. Theophan the Recluse wrote, “marriage has much consolation, but is also accompanied by many anxieties and sorrows.” Unfortunately, in marriage, men often abuse their power over the wife given to them by God: according to statistics in marriage greatest number It is the wife who endures sorrows. Driven by their egos, husbands forget (and some don’t even know) that “power over a wife should not be despotic, but loving.”

Saints Gury, Samon and Aviv pray for harmony in the family

The holy martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, being the patrons of family and marriage, have for many centuries come to the aid of women suffering sorrows and untruths from their husbands. The history of the martyrdom of these three family protectors goes back to the 3rd century, when they suffered persecution from the emperors Diocletian and Licinius. Without abandoning their faith in Christ, the saints were subjected to the most severe torture and then executed. The legend of the girl Euphemia testifies most of all to the miracles of the famous martyrs. During the invasion of the Huns to Byzantium, one of the Gothic warriors persistently sought marriage with a Christian girl, Euphemia from the city of Edessa. To dispel the doubts of the girl’s parents, the warrior swore on the relics of Guria, Samon and Aviv that he would never offend his Christian wife, would love her and take care of her. However, when the warrior brought his wife to his country, it turned out that he already had a first wife. Euphemia became her slave and endured many sufferings from her jealousy. Among other things, the first wife poisoned Euphemia’s newborn child. When the intensity of passions reached its maximum, and Euphemia was already in danger of death, she prayed to the holy martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, on whose relics the cruel deceiver swore. The holy martyrs on white horses came for the girl and carried her to her hometown of Edessa. Later, when the treacherous warrior returned to Edessa, he was exposed and executed by the local authorities. Thus, from the 3rd century to the present day, the patron saints of the family Guri, Samon and Aviv help people experiencing difficulties in marriage, and especially wives suffering from the cruelty of their husbands, to find harmony, peace and love in the family.

Video: Patrons of the family are the holy martyrs and confessors Gury, Samon and Aviv

Memory: November 15 / 28

During the persecution of Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311), two friends, Christians Gury and Samon, preachers of the Word of God, were captured in the city of Edessa. The saints responded with a decisive refusal to the offer to make a sacrifice to the gods, confessing their faith in Christ. For this they were subjected terrible torment: They were beaten, hung up by their hands, with heavy weights tied to their feet, and thrown into a cramped dungeon. The martyrs endured everything with firmness and prayer. At night the martyrs were taken outside the city and beheaded. Christians buried their holy bodies. Many years later, the last pagan emperor Licinius (311-324) began a persecution of Christians.

Martyrs. Gury, Samon and Aviv. Menaion - November (fragment). Miniature, early 17th century

A deacon of the Edessa Church named Aviv, whom the emperor ordered to be captured for his zealous spread of the true faith, himself came to the executioners, not wanting other Christians to suffer while searching for him. The saint confessed his faith in Christ and was sentenced to be burned. The martyr himself went into the fire and with prayer gave up his spirit to the Lord. When the fire went out, the saint’s mother and relatives found his body intact. The martyr was buried next to Saints Gury and Samon.

Torment of Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv. Fresco, 1547. Fresco. Mount Athos (Dionysiatus)

After the death of the saints, numerous miracles were performed on those who, with faith and love, called upon them to help them. So, one day a Goth warrior, sent to serve in Edessa, took the pious girl Euphemia as his wife. Before this, he swore to her mother Sophia at the tomb of the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv that he would not do any harm to his wife, would never offend her, but would love and honor her. At the end of his service in Edessa, he took Euphemia with him and returned to his homeland.

It turned out that he had deceived her: he had a wife in his homeland. Euphemia became his slave. Euphemia had to endure a lot of bullying and humiliation. When her child was born, a jealous Gothic woman poisoned him.

Euphemia turned with prayer to the holy martyrs - witnesses of the deceiver’s oath, and the Lord delivered her from suffering. After some time, the oathbreaker was again sent to serve in Edessa. The whole city learned about his crime, exposed by Sophia, and by order of the ruler, the Goth was executed. Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv. Icon, 80s. 19th century The holy martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv are known among Orthodox Christians as the patrons of matrimony, marriage,

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happy family

• , they pray to them “if the husband innocently hates his wife.” In Moscow, in the Church of St. John the Warrior in Babyegorodsky Lane, on Yakimanka, there is a chapel of these saints. Prayer to the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv:

Prayer to the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv . Gury, Samon and Aviv suffered for their faith at the beginning of the 4th century in Edessa. With their prayerful help, many miracles were performed, but they gained special fame for their intercession for the honor of Euphemia, who was taken as a wife by a goth-bigamist by cunning, then turned into a slave and subjected to humiliation in every possible way. They are revered as the patrons of marriage, marriage, and a happy family; they are prayed to “if a husband innocently hates his wife.”

How to save a family from impending discord? Akathist will help Guria, Samon and Aviv regain prosperity.

What is the power of turning to the saints?

It is in the family that each person fulfills the main commandments about love for one’s neighbor, given by God to people. There should be no selfishness in the family, because it is for this reason that disagreements arise between spouses, leading to divorce.

Confessors Gury, Aviv and Samon

But in practice, people do not value family: many husbands abuse their rights, beat their wives, and ignore them. In response to such “gestures,” women argue with their husbands, stop protecting and improving their homes, and children are born and grow up in disharmony.

About the Orthodox family:

• Do religious families have to have many children?

, help women humiliated by their husbands, admonish men.

In addition to offering praise, it is necessary to attend divine services, pray fervently, confess, partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and soon peace and harmony will come to the family.

Rules for reading the akathist

She put the most beautiful prayer chants into human lips Orthodox Church. Akathist is one of her great creations.

Icon of the Holy Martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviva

Relaxation is possible only for infirm and elderly parishioners. This applies to both home prayers and church services.

The Akathist was first written in 626 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople was ordered by the Most Blessed Virgin herself to compose a song of thanksgiving in honor of the liberation of Byzantium from the Avar siege. Later, akathists were written to the Almighty and His saints.

Important! Before starting to read the hymn of praise, it is advisable to read the life of the saint to whom the hymn will be offered.

The text of the akathist consists of 25 songs, which, in turn, consist of kontakia and ikos. Kontakion marks the praise of the saint, and ikos describes the essence of the event.

First, the prayers “Heavenly King”, “Holy God”, “Holy Trinity have mercy on us”, “Our Father” are read, then 1 kontakion, 1 ikos and then in order. After the words “Hallelujah,” you need to ask out loud for the painful problem.

In conclusion, prayers to the saint are read on kneeling.

Akathist to the heavenly patrons of marriage

The song of praise addressed to the three saints protects the family union from disintegration. It can be read by either one of the family members or a relative, knowledgeable an ongoing family problem, which is very effective because all people on earth are brothers and sisters in Christ.

More akathists read to help in the family:

Ancient icon “heavenly patrons of family and marriage” Saints Gury, Samon and Aviv.

Important! Before starting prayer work, you should repent of your sins and ask for a priestly blessing to read.

Kontakion 1

The chosen miracle workers of Christ and the holy confessors of the faith, Guria, Samona and Aviv of good character, we honor your memory with songs of praise, we sing as Christian intercessors, suffering patrons. But you, who have boldness towards the Lord, free us from all troubles and misfortunes, calling with faith and love: Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Aviv, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Ikos 1

Angels in the flesh, the Trinity of Saints, equal in number, burning idols with love for God, strengthening the faith of Christ, glorifying the Holy Trinity, therefore praising your deeds, we say to you: Rejoice, lamps of piety. Rejoice, denouncers of wickedness. Rejoice, confirmation of the faith of Christ. Rejoice, pillars of the Church of God. Rejoice, hope and intercession of the faithful. Rejoice, fear and shame of the unfaithful. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the wickedness of the people of the city of Edes, Saints Gurius and Samon retired into the desert, fleeing the prince of this world and temptations and diligently serving God, chanting day and night: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having a wise mind, the holy martyrs worked hard for the glory of God, denouncing pagan wickedness, instructing those seeking truth on the right path and attracting many infidels to the True God, for this reason we say to you: Rejoice, planters of true worship of God. Rejoice, eradicators of demonic ministry. Rejoice, denouncers of the darkness of wickedness. Rejoice, destroyers of idolatrous charms. Rejoice, confessors of Christ in abundance. Rejoice, luminaries of the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 3

By the power of the overshadowing of the holy martyr from above, she was unafraid of the persecutors of the holy faith, heedless of the commands of the wicked Antonian and loudly glorifying the faith of Christ, and thus casting the belt to God in prison: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having the firmest faith in Christ Adamant and having armed ourselves with that power, we courageously endured naturally, holy martyrs, prison bonds and death itself, for this reason we praise such courage, we bless you with this: Rejoice, confessors of the true faith. Rejoice, heirs of the Kingdom of God. Rejoice, praise to the martyrs. Rejoice, glory to the passion-bearers. Rejoice, saints of the Church, affirmation. Rejoice, all kinds of Christian adornment. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 4

Obsessed with a storm of doubtful thoughts, the wicked King Licinius stirred up a cruel persecution against Christians, but you, more passionate than Abiva, were not afraid of him, with firm faith you cried out to Christ God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

When King Licinius heard your exploits, venerable Aviv, and your firm confession of faith, he became enraged with anger at you and commanded that you be put to death like the king’s enemy, but you, having learned about this, voluntarily went to torture, and with joy you endured fiery burning, For this reason, marveling at your great courage, we magnify you: Rejoice, fearless champion of the faith in Christ. Rejoice, invincible warrior of Christ. Rejoice, you who were hanged on the tree for having stretched out your hand on the tree with the cross. Rejoice, planed by iron claws. Rejoice, give comfort to those who mourn. Rejoice, quick helper to all who suffer for the truth. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 5

Naturally, the holy martyrs were like the godly stars in the firmament of heaven, enlightening the darkness of pagan wickedness with the rays of their life and instructing many on the path of truth. As we reverently honor your memory, we sing to God with gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the people of the city of Edes many miracles that happened from the shrine of the holy martyrs Guria, Samon and Abiba, they rejoiced greatly and glorified the Lord with all their hearts, but we, honoring your holy memory, holy martyrs, tenderly cry out: Rejoice, intercessors of the unjustly persecuted. Rejoice, faithful servants of Christ, friends. Rejoice, guardian of those who are in chains and prisons. Rejoice, enlighteners of those who persecute and those who offend. Rejoice, comforters of the weeping. Rejoice, deliverers from insolent and cruel death. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 6

From the heights of wisdom, grace was received, for those who stand in redemption, O all-validated One, even the maiden, Holy One, delivered from bitter death. For you truly bring glory to the city of Edes and joy to the world, for this reason we sing to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Deliver us from the enemy of work, Jesus, Giver of Life, we implore your sufferers with prayers, so as not to enslave the soul and body from passions, we praise those first aid Just as she was shut up in the tomb by her husband and was soon delivered from death, we also cry out to you: Rejoice, you who saved an innocent wife from a cruel death. Rejoice, having overcome the atrocities of her tormentor by her wondrous salvation. Rejoice, you have exposed your husband’s evil and cruel deed. Rejoice, having taught him to believe in the power of the Christian God. Rejoice, givers of mercy to those in need. Rejoice, vigilant guardians of those who honor your memory. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord, Lover of Mankind, will show His mercy to His people, keep your bodies incorruptible, performing miracles, from them all the faithful receive currents of healing, calling to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Leading new intercessors and wondrous miracle workers, the people from the city of Edes created a holy temple in your memory, and placed your relics in it, so that all those who suffer may draw help from them, we also have strong hope for you, we cry to you: Rejoice, ye souls and healers of our bodily ailments. Rejoice, you who cast out demons in the name of the Lord. Rejoice, evangelizers of the gospel truths of grace. Rejoice, bearers of Divine grace. Rejoice, you who have received much sorrow for the name of the Lord. Rejoice, having shone marvelously among His saints. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 8

It is strange and scary for infidels to hear what wondrous deeds are being accomplished from your holy relics: sick people are healed, passions are healed, but we, who have firm hope in us, cry out to God who is so good for you with faith: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Having fulfilled all the virtues, and honoring them with the glory of God, listen, holy martyrs, to the prayers of the faithful who honor your holy memory, from them you hear: Rejoice, you poor in spirit, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, you who mourn, for you will be comforted. Rejoice, meek ones, for you have inherited the earth. Rejoice, you who have been hungry and thirsty for righteousness, for you have been filled. Rejoice, O mercy, for you have obtained natural mercy. Rejoice, pure in heart, for you have already seen God. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 9

All kinds of misfortunes that came to the city of Edes, naturally, holy martyrs, did not abandon us, humble and sinners, but all the people of our country in Orthodoxy and like-mindedness, let us all cry out with one mouth and one heart to the Lord who glorified you: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

We see you, the holy martyrs, like fish of silence; they are perplexed as to how nature hovered in spirit in the desert and in the midst of man, vigilant in his deeds. We, rejoicing, as such are imams, teachers and prayer books, glorify you, saying: Rejoice, cymbals of the Word of God. Rejoice, warm intercessors for us before God. Rejoice, enlighteners of the Jews and Greeks. Rejoice, evangelists of the three-day Divinity. Rejoice, teachers of meekness and self-control. Rejoice, denouncer of lies and crimes. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 10

Although the people of the city of Edes from the mental wolf, they firmly exhorted them to stand in true faith below the wiles of the enemy, to be afraid, but even in sorrows and misfortunes to thank God for you, singing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

The wall is solid and a more reliable refuge, holy martyrs, to all who come running to you and require quick help, for this reason, in the tenderness of our hearts, we cry: Rejoice, joy to all who mourn. Rejoice, refuge and liberation for all the oppressed and enslaved. Rejoice, intercession of widows and orphans. Rejoice, protection from heresies and schisms. Rejoice, for all the wickedness of your life is astonishing. Rejoice, for all piety rejoices in your name. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 11

Bring songs of thanksgiving to the Lord and for us, our warm intercessors, we beg you ever and again not to depart from us, for our sin, but ask mercy from the Lord for everyone who cries out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Praising the luminous trinity of holy martyrs, let us, faithfully, eliminate strife and strife in this life, let us flee disagreements and divisions in More Orthodox faith and preserving the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, let us exclaim from the depths of our souls: Rejoice, loud trumpets of the Gospel gospel. Rejoice, sweet-sounding harp of the preaching of salvation. Rejoice, guardians of the strength of truth. Rejoice, destroyers of unwavering unrighteousness. Rejoice, givers of peace and blessings to pious families. Rejoice, severe punishments for cruel and unfaithful spouses. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 12

The grace given to you from God, knowingly, we celebrate your memory, holy martyrs, with fervent prayer flowing to your honest image, with your firm help, as an insurmountable wall We protect ourselves, for this reason we praise you, passion-bearers of Christ, and earnestly call to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your wondrous life and martyrdom, we pray to you, passion-bearers of Christ Gurie, Samona and Aviv, you will be our good helpers in everything, bless us with peace and love, give us firm faith, purity of life and the fear of God, and have all the peace of mind, in let us exclaim with joy: Rejoice, for your names are glorified even among the unbelievers. Rejoice, peace and joy to those who mourn, Rejoice, fear and surprise to those who offend. Rejoice, you saved an innocent wife from cruel death. Rejoice, for the evil of her husband is worthy of punishment. Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Abiva, passion-bearers of Christ and patron of the offended!

Kontakion 13

O holy passion-bearers of Christ Guria, Samon and Aviv, accept this song of our praise and, having heard our earnest desire, deliver us with your warm intercession to God, from all evil, from enmity and disagreement and all kinds of severe troubles and diseases, and with love we honor you , let us call to God: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

First prayer

About the saints of the martyr and confessor of Christ Guria, Samon and Aviv! Warm intercessors and prayer books for us before God, in the tenderness of our hearts, looking at your most pure image, we humbly pray to you: hear us, your sinful and unworthy servants, who are in troubles, sorrows and misfortunes, and having looked at our grave and countless sins, reveal Your great mercy to us, raise us up from the depths of sin, enlighten our minds, soften the evil and damned heart, stop the envy, enmity and strife that live in us. Overshadow us with peace, love and the fear of God, beg the merciful Lord to cover the multitude of our sins with His ineffable mercy. May she preserve her holy Church from unbelief, heresies and schisms. May he give our country peace, prosperity, and fertility of the land; love and harmony for spouses; obedience to children; patience for the offended; those who offend the fear of God; complacency to those who mourn; those who rejoice abstain. May He cover us all with His all-powerful right hand, and may He deliver us from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, and vain deaths. May He protect us with the militia of His holy Angels, so that upon our departure from this life we ​​may be delivered from the wiles of the evil one and his secret aerial ordeals, and not condemned to appear before the Throne of the Lord of Glory, where the faces of the saints, the Angels with all the saints, glorify the most holy and magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

About the glorification of the martyr Guria, Samon and Aviv! Protect us, servant of God (names), from adversity evil people and the machinations of demons: protect us from unexpected death, deliver us from fire, sword and every soul-destroying situation. Hey, passion-bearers of Christ, through your prayers arrange for us all that is good and useful, so that a pious life has passed through the temporary and a death without shame has been achieved, we will be worthy of your warm intercession with all the saints at the right hand of the Just God of the Judge, and to constantly glorify Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. .

Prayer three

Oh, glory to the martyr Guria, Samona and Aviva! To you, as a quick helper and a warm prayer book, we resort to weakness and unworthiness, fervently pleading: do not despise us, who have fallen into many iniquities and are sinning all the days and hours; guide the erring on the right path, heal the suffering and mourning; keep us in a blameless and chaste life; and as in ancient times, so now remain the patrons of marriages, in love and like-mindedness this affirms and delivers from all evil and calamity. Protect, O the great power of the confessor, all Orthodox Christians from misfortunes, evil people and the machinations of demons; Protect me from unexpected death, begging the All-Good Lord, that He may add great and rich mercy to us, His humble servant. We are not worthy to call on the magnificent name of our Creator with unclean lips, unless you, holy martyrs, intercede for us; For this reason we resort to you and ask for your intercession before the Lord. Also deliver us from famine, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine warfare, deadly plagues and every soul-destroying situation. To her, passion-bearers of Christ, through your prayers arrange for us all that is good and useful, so that a pious life of a temporary life has passed and a death without shame has been achieved, we will be worthy of your warm intercession with all the saints at the right hand of the Just God of the Judge, and Him to unceasingly glorify with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion to martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv, confessors

Troparion, tone 5

The miracles of your saints, martyr, are an insurmountable wall, given to us, O Christ God, destroy the councils of tongues with their prayers, strengthen the holy Church, for there is only one good and lover of mankind.

History of martyrs

For their ardent faith in Christ, the martyrs were sentenced to execution, but before it they were subjected to the most severe torture. But the great saints endured every mockery courageously; they were allowed to stand up to the enemy by the enormous strength of their faith.

History of martyrs

One day, under the cover of darkness, fanatics secretly took out their bloody bodies and beheaded them. Secretly from the Romans, Christians buried the martyrs.

Particularly significant life path Saint Aviv. He was engaged in enlightening the Christian faith even before pagans appeared in the city.

Once he dared to reason with Emperor Licinius, for which he was destined to die. He was burned, but in the morning his body was found in the ashes intact and undamaged. After this, Aviva was beheaded along with Gury and Samon.

Prayers to the holy martyrs still resound in people’s hearts and help in overcoming life’s adversities. Their life is a feat and an example for believers to follow.

Every Christian has a responsibility to make every effort to save their marriage. The woman is the first to feel a “crack” in the family hearth, and it is she who must do everything in her power to preserve the family. The most important thing is a fiery prayer to Christ, His Most Pure Mother and the holy great martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv.

Video about the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv

At the beginning of the 4th century, in the vicinity of the city of Edessa (Macedonia), two Christian friends, Gury and Samon, preachers of the Word of God, were known for their strict ascetic life. Despite the persecution of Christians initiated by Emperor Diocletian (284-305), they continued to spread the gospel of the true faith among the pagans, turning them to Christ by the example of their deeply spiritual and virtuous life. Gury and Samon edified and strengthened their fellow believers who came to them in the firm confession of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having learned about this, the governor of Edessa, Antoninus, tortured them, and then demanded that they renounce Christ and make a sacrifice to the pagan deity Dius (Jupiter).

“We will never renounce our holy and immaculate faith, remembering the words of the Savior: “Whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Heavenly Father; and whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Heavenly Father” (Matthew 10:32-33),” Saints Gury and Samon answered him. Antonin ordered them to be thrown into prison.

At this time, the ruler of the region, Musonius, sent by the emperor to intensify the persecution of Christians, arrived in Edessa. In response to his threats to put them to death, Saints Gury and Samon said: “We are more afraid of eternal torment than those you have listed... “Even if our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. . 4, 16)."

Musonius ordered the saints to be hung by the hands, tying heavy stones to their feet. They hung patiently in this position for several hours, after which they were imprisoned. Saints Gury and Samon stayed in prison from August 1 to November 9, tormented by hunger, thirst and the inability to move (their legs were driven into wooden stocks). When the saints, after more than three months, were brought before the ruler, they again unshakably confessed the faith of Christ. Saint Gury, already completely exhausted, barely alive, was immediately returned to prison. Saint Samon, physically more resilient, was subjected to the same torture: he was kept suspended for seven hours, after which he was taken to prison (he could not walk or even stand, since knee joints were damaged).

On November 15 (304 or 306), when it was just beginning to dawn and the inhabitants of Edessa were still sleeping, the holy martyrs Gury and Samon were brought to the ruler Musonius. Musonius in last time offered them life at the price of apostasy.

“... Enough for us is the past time, in which we have seen enough of the fading light of day; our souls now wish to pass on to the unflickering day,” the martyrs answered him.

By order of Musonius, they were taken far outside the city and beheaded. The holy relics of the martyrs Guria and Samon were taken and buried with honor by Christians.

A few years later, Emperor Licinius (307-324) again initiated the persecution of Christians. At that time, there lived in Edessa a preacher, Deacon Aviv, originally from the village of Felsea. The mayor of Edessa, Lysanias, informed Licinius that Deacon Aviv “filled the whole city Christian teaching", received orders to deal with him. When the soldiers were looking for Saint Aviv, he himself went to their military leader Theoteknus and voluntarily surrendered into the hands of the guards. Brought before Lysanias, Deacon Aviv refused to bow to pagan idols. They hung him up and began to whittle his skin with iron claws, after which he was condemned to be burned. Saint Aviv was followed to the place of execution by his mother, relatives and friends. Having given them the last kiss, Saint Aviv entered the fire and suffered martyrdom (+322). The body of Saint Aviv miraculously remained unburnt. His martyrdom also took place on November 15, which is why his holy relics were taken and buried at the tomb of the holy martyrs Guria and Samon who had suffered before.

Subsequently, Christians built a church on this site in the name of the three holy martyrs and placed their relics in one tomb. They were glorified with miraculous signs and healings. The miraculous intercession of the saints shown to the pious girl Euphemia is especially well known.

A certain Goth warrior, who found himself in Edessa during the campaign, took Euphemia as his wife, swearing a false oath at the tomb of the saints that he was unmarried. Euphemia had to experience a lot of suffering and humiliation in the Goth’s homeland, where he gave her into slavery to his former wife. Subsequently, through the prayers of Euphemia to the three holy martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv, she was delivered from death and miraculously transferred to Edessa, and the Gothic oathbreaker and villain suffered well-deserved retribution. Glorifying the holy martyrs in the akathist, the Church of Christ addresses them: “Rejoice, Guria, Samona and Aviv, heavenly patron of honest marriage.”

The holy martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv have long been revered in Rus' as patrons family life, and also as denouncers of all wickedness.

The holy martyrs Gury and Samon were priests in the region of Edessa around 303, when Emperor Diocletian began the persecution of Christians. They were accused of helping Christians thrown into prison and encouraging believers not to give in to threats and to persevere even when burned.

The saints appeared before the governor of Antioch, Musonius, who tried to force them to renounce Christ. But both confessors refused with the words: “We will not change one Heavenly God. We won't trade Him for a picture taken by human hands. We worship Christ God, who in His goodness saved us from sin. He is our light, our doctor and our life.”

Then the ruler accused them of rebelling against the orders of the emperor, and threatened them with a terrible and painful death if they persisted. “We will not die, as you claim, but we will live if only we fulfill the will of the One who created us,” answered the saints. – We are not afraid of torment. They do not last long and pass without leaving traces. We are afraid eternal torment which are prepared for the wicked and the apostate." After such words, the governor gave the order to imprison them along with other priests and deacons.

A few days later, he ordered to bring Samon and Gury and hang them by one hand for five hours. Since they silently endured the torture and responded to the tormentors' proposals by shaking their heads negatively, they were thrown into a dungeon called the “dark hole.” There the saints spent three and a half months in complete darkness, receiving almost no water or food.

When the priests were again brought to trial, they showed the same steadfastness, declaring to the ruler: “We have already said that our faith and word are unchanged. Do what the emperor ordered. You have power over our bodies, but not over our souls.” Samon and Guria were hung by their feet, but they continued to pray to God to give them the steadfastness of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles and martyrs who had suffered for the truth before them.

On November 15 they were called up again. The soldiers brought Samon, whose knee was shattered, and brought Guria, supporting him because he was old. When the martyrs heard the death sentence, their faces beamed with joy and they glorified Christ. Before the execution, the executioner said to the saints: “Please pray for me, because I am doing evil before God.”

Samon and Gury knelt down, turned to the east and turned to God with the following prayer: “Our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, accept our spirit and preserve our bodies for the resurrection.” Then they bowed their heads under the sword and were beheaded one after another.

When news of their execution became known, the entire population of the city hurried to the place of martyrdom to take the precious relics and even the dust that was soaked in their blood. During the burial of the saints, incense smoke and incense were mixed with psalms and hymns that rose to the glory of the Lord, who demonstrated His power through the steadfastness of the martyrs.

Saint Aviv served as a deacon at the time when Licinius, following Diocletian, launched a new persecution of Christians (c. 309). He secretly went around the villages in the Edessa region to gather believers in the temple, read the Holy Scriptures to them and encourage them, without fear of persecutors, to adhere to the true faith. The ruler of Edessa Lysanias, having learned about this, became very angry and ordered to find the daring deacon. Not finding him, he ordered his family and the inhabitants of his village to be captured.

Having learned about this, Aviv came to Edessa, where he handed himself over to the commander of the ruler’s guard. He tried to convince him to flee and said that his family was in no danger in any case, but the saint insisted, because he was convinced that it was the Lord commanding him to complete his ministry with martyrdom.

During interrogation, Aviv showed such self-control and disdain for idols that the ruler, becoming enraged, ordered him to be scourged without any pity. A few days later the saint was again brought to Lysanias. Since Aviv again and again refused to obey, he ordered to hang him and tear his flesh with iron claws. To the threat of new, even more cruel torments, the saint replied: “These torments rather strengthen my will, just as a tree that is watered bears fruit.” The ruler, realizing his powerlessness, asked: “Is it your religion that teaches you to hate your body and enjoy suffering?” “We do not hate our bodies,” Aviv objected, “but we rejoice in contemplating what is inaccessible to sight. We are supported by the promise of the Lord: the sufferings of this present time are not worth anything in comparison with the glory prepared for those who love Christ (cf. Rom. 8:18).” Since death by sword seemed too easy to the ruler, he ordered the saint to be burned over low fire.

The saint was led to execution, dragged by a rope passed through his jaw. Mother Aviva, dressed festively in all white, walked next to her son. Arriving at the place, Aviv turned his face to the east and prayed. Then he turned to the crowd that accompanied him and wished him to find peace, and blessed the people. When the fire flared up, the martyr opened his mouth and immediately surrendered his soul to God. The Christians removed the body of Saint Aviv from the fire and, anointing it and covering it with incense, buried it in the grave where Gury and Samon had already been laid.