On December 28, we remember the Holy 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia (I suspect the number is greatly exaggerated but it is based on a historical incident), who imitated the three youth in the fiery furnace in Babylon, and, taking refuge in their church in Nicomedia, the Emperor Maximian ordered that the church be burned down upon them.

On December 29, we remember the Holy Innocent Children, killed by the jealousy of Herod in the town of Bethlehem.

On December 30, we remember the Holy Martyr Anysia, who was born into a rich family. Her parents died when she was young, so she freed their slaves and gave away her inheritance to devote herself to the Christian ascetic life. On her way to church, she was stopped by an officer of the imperial household, who dragged her to sacrifice to idols, and when she refused, ran her through with a sword..

Through the prayers of your holy martyrs, may we find the courage to witness to the new-born Son of God in our lives in whatever way, that we might be worthy of the new name we have received in baptism, that of “Christian.”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

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