The 4th Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
The Martyrdom of St. Bacchus the Companion of St. Serguis
On this day was the martyrdom of St. Bacchus the companion of St. Serguis. When the Emperor Maximianus seized these saints, he tortured them with severe tortures after having stripped them from their army ranks. After this he sent them to Antiochus, King of Syria, who imprisoned St. Serguis, but ordered that St. Bacchus be stoned and slain, then cast into the river of Euphrates. God protected the body and the water waves brought it to the coast near two anchorites, ascetic holy men who were brothers. The angel of the Lord appeared and commanded them to go and carry away the body of the Saint. When they came to where the body was, they found an eagle and a lion protecting it, having spent the whole day and night guarding it without harming it although they were flesh eating beasts, for they had been commanded by God to protect the body. The two holy men took the body with great honor, singing hymns until they came to their cave where they buried it.
May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.