The 3rd Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
The Departure of St. Simeon the Second, the Fifty-First Pope of the See of St. Mark
On this day of the year 822 A..D., departed the pure father Abba Simeon the Second, the fifty-first Pope of the See of St. Mark. This saint was the son of one of the elders of Alexandria and his parents were Orthodox Christians. He sucked the milk of the faith from his childhood and he learned the doctrines of the church. He chose for himself the monastic garb, and he went to the desert of Scete and became a monk in the monastery of his predecessor Abba Jacob, the Patriarch. He dwelt with him for many years during which he weakened his body by his strenuous ascetic life, and his excessive worshipping. When Abba Marcus the Second became a Patriarch, he requested St. Simeon from his spiritual father Abba Jacob for what was known about his good reputation and his sound management, and he stayed with Abba Marcus until his departure. When Abba Jacob, his spiritual father, became patriarch, he kept Abba Simeon with him and he benefited from him often. When Abba Jacob departed, the bishops, priests, and eldres unanimously agreed with a spiritual unity to bring forward this father for what they had seen of him (as to righteousness and orthodox faith) during his stay with the two patriarchs who preceeded him. They seized him, bound him and ordained him a patriarch. He followed the Divine path, and he was well-pleasing to the Lord. And, as God wished to tale him, he did not stay on the throne but for five and a half months before departing in peace.
May his prayers and blessings be with us all. Amen.
The Martyrdom of St. John the Soldier
On this day also was the martyrdom of St. John the soldier from the city of Ashrobah.
May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.