Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Malta

The Saint of the day 15 June (2)

† Holy Prophet Amos (8th c. BC)

He was an unlearned shepherd from the village of Tekoa in Zabulon, near Bethlehem. His prophecies, made during the reign of King Uzziah, make up the Old Testament book which bears his name.

He is ranked third among the "minor prophets" of the Old Testament.

Troparion — Tone 2

Celebrating the memory / Of Your Prophet Amos, O Lord, / For his sake, we entreat You, save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

Purifying your fervent heart by the Spirit, / O glorious Prophet Amos, / And receiving the gift of prophecy from on high, / You cry with a loud voice to the nations: / This is our God, and there is none beside Him.

The Saint of the day 15 June (1)

† Holy Martyr Vitus, with Modestus and Crescentia (303)

"St Vitus was born in Sicily of eminent pagan parents. Modestus was his tutor and Crescentia his governess. St Vitus was baptised early and, when only twelve years old, began to live an intensive ascetic life. Angels appeared to him, instructing him and encouraging him in his labours, and he was himself as radiant and handsome as an angel of God. A judge who beat him had the flesh of his arm wither away, but Vitus healed it by his prayers. His father was blinded when he saw twelve angels in his room 'with eyes like stars and faces like lightning', but Vitus restored his sight by his prayers. When his father sought to kill him, an angel appeared to him and took him to Lucania on the bank of the river Silaris, together with Modestus and Crescentia. St Vitus performed many miracles there for the sick and insane.

He went to Rome at the summons of the Emperor Diocletian and drove out an evil spirit from his son. Far from rewarding him, the Emperor tortured him cruelly when he would not bow down before mute idols, but the Lord delivered him from torture and returned him to Lucania by His invisible arm, and there he and Modestus and Crescentia entered into rest in the Lord. St Vitus' relics are preserved in Prague." (Prologue)

In the West, St Vitus' aid is often invoked for the cure of many ailments, especially insanity and demonic possession. For this reason his name is given to St Vitus' dance, an acute neurological illness that produces uncontrollable movements in the face and limbs, usually occurring in children.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

The Saint of the day 13 June

† Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos (293)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_13_aquilina.mp3

Aquilina was born of Christian parents, and by the age of seven was already living as a true Christian. She boldly preached Christ to the maidens with whom she played, and for this was brought before the governor during the persecutions of Diocletian. Despite her young age she would not deny Christ to save her life. After horrible tortures, she was left for dead and thrown on a dungheap.

But that night an angel appeared to her saying 'Arise and be healed!' Aquilina arose fully restored and praising God; but she begged not to be denied a martyr's death. She heard a voice from heaven saying 'Go, and it shall be to thee as thou desirest.' She returned to the city and to the governor's palace by night, doors opening miraculously before her, and stood before the governor's own bed. Needless to say, the governor was seized with terror upon waking to see the maiden he had thought dead.

The next morning, she was beheaded. Her relics healed many of the sick. At the time of her repose, she was only ten or twelve years old.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your lamb Aquilina, calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion — Tone 3

You ascended to the heights through martyrdom, all-honorable Aquilina, / having purified your soul through the virtues of your virginity. / You were wounded with love for Christ your bridegroom, / before whom you stand rejoicing with the angels; / together with them unceasingly pray for us all.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 12 June

† Our Holy Fathers Onuphrios the Great and Peter of Mount Athos

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_12_onuphrios_pc.mp3

They lived in different times and places, but are commemorated together.

Saint Onuphrios the Great (400).

"This holy ascetic had been living a whole sixty years in the desert when the monk Paphnutius visited him. His hair and beard reached down to the ground, and long hair, as white as snow, had grown all over his body during his years of nakedness. His appearance was cadaverous, unearthly and awe-inspiring. Seeing Paphnutius, he called him by name and then recounted to him his life in the desert. His guardian angel had appeared to him and taken him to that place. He had for a long time only eaten earth, which was hard to find in the desert, and, after that, when he had survived an intensive struggle with diabolical temptations and when his heart had become utterly established in love for God, an angel had brought him bread to eat. And besides that, through God's gracious providence, a palm tree grew up at one side of his cell, that gave good dates, and a spring of water began to flow there. 'But especially,' said Onuphrios, 'my food and drink are the sweet words of God.' To Paphnutius' question about his receiving of Communion, the hermit answered that the angel of God brought him Communion every Saturday. On the next day, the old man told Paphnutius that it was the day of his departure from this world; then he knelt down, prayed to God and gave his spirit into God's hands. Then Paphnutius saw a heavenly light that illumined the body of the departed saint, and heard a choir of angelic hosts. He buried Onuphrios' body with honour and returned to his own monastery, there as a living witness to narrate to the brethren, for their edification, the wonderful life of the man of God and the greatness of God's providence towards those who give themselves wholly to His service." (Prologue)

The Great Horologion adds that Paphnutius intended to stay in the place where Onuphrios died, but soon the palm tree withered and the spring dried up, which Paphnutius took as a sign that he was meant to leave that place and return to live with the brethren.

Saint Peter of Mt Athos (734).

He was born to a noble family in Constantinople and became a soldier. He was taken captive by the Saracens and thrown into prison in chains, in Samarra of Syria. He spent his long imprisonment praying to God to free him and send him to some deserted place where he could devote the rest of his life to ascesis and prayer. One day St Nicholas appeared to him along with St Simeon the God-receiver; when they touched his chains they melted like wax, and Peter instantly found himself outside Samarra. He set out for Rome, where he was tonsured as a monk by the Pope, then set out by ship to return home. During the voyage, the Mother of God appeared to him along with St Nicholas, and Peter heard her tell St Nicholas that she had set Mt Athos apart for Peter to live in solitude. Peter had never heard of Mt Athos, but disembarked there and settled in a cave. There he spent fifty-three years in complete solitude, praying and struggling with the harshness of the elements and the attacks of demonic powers. After he had withstood fierce temptations for awhile, an angel of God began to bring him bread every forty days. Like St Onuphrios, his humble life might have passed completely unrecorded; but by God's providence, one year before the Saint's death a deer-hunter found him and heard the tale of Peter's life, which he recorded. Saint Peter reposed in peace; his relics were taken to Macedonia.

Troparion — Tone 1

In the flesh you lived the life of the angels, / you were citizens of the desert and treasuries of grace, / O Onuphrius, adornment of Egypt, / and Peter the light of Athos. / Therefore we honor your struggles as we sing to you: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who granted you a crown! / Glory to him who through you grants healing to all!

Kontakion — Tone 2

You appeared as a bright star to the hermits of the desert, / a light shining in the darkness of solitude, O holy Father Onuphrius, / therefore ceaselessly intercede for us all.

Kontakion — Tone 8

By your achievements in the wilderness you became like the Bodiless Powers, / godly Onuphrius, and righteous Peter adornment of Athos. / The heavenly-minded pair who sing in one voice: “Alleluia”!

Venerable Peter of Mount Athos

Troparion — Tone 1

In the flesh you lived the life of the angels, / you were citizens of the desert and treasuries of grace, / O Onuphrius, adornment of Egypt, / and Peter the light of Athos. / Therefore we honor your struggles as we sing to you: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who granted you a crown! / Glory to him who through you grants healing to all!

Kontakion — Tone 8

Planting the spiritual principles within your heart, O holy Peter, / you were made a vessel holy to the indivisible Trinity. / You obtained the grace of miracles and gave glory to God, singing: Alleluia!

Kontakion — Tone 8

By your achievements in the wilderness you became like the Bodiless Powers, / godly Onuphrius, and righteous Peter adornment of Athos. / The heavenly-minded pair who sing in one voice: “Alleluia”!

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 11 June

† Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_11_bartholomew_barnabas.mp3

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, a Galilean; the Gospel accounts say little more about him. It is said that, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he travelled in the service of the Gospel to Arabia and Persia, and brought to India a translation of the Gospel according to Matthew. Eusebius writes that one hundred years later Pantaenus, an illustrious Alexandrian scholar, found this gospel when he travelled in India.

By most accounts Bartholomew ended his life in Armenia, where he met his martyrdom by crucifixion. According to many, he and Nathaniel are the same person: the Gospel accounts that speak of Bartholomew do not mention Nathaniel; and St John's Gospel, which mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, does not mention Bartholomew. But according to the Greek Synaxarion, Bartholomew and Simon the Zealot are one and the same.

Saint Barnabas was one of the Seventy, from Cyprus, a Levite and at one time a fellow-student with St Paul under Gamaliel. After Christ's Ascension, he led the Seventy until the Apostle Paul's conversion. He is mentioned often in the Acts of the Apostles, which describes some of his travels as a companion of St Paul. By all accounts, he was the first to preach the Gospel of Christ in Rome and in Milan. His wonder-working relics were discovered on the island of Cyprus in the time of the Emperor Zeno; on this basis the Church of Cyprus was established as an independent Church, since it had an apostolic foundation.

Troparion — Tone 3

Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, / entreat the merciful God / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion — Tone 4

You have appeared to the universe as a great sun, / shining with the radiance of your teachings and awesome miracles. / You enlighten those who honor you, apostle of the Lord, Bartholomew.

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Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 10 June

† Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina (313)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_10_alexandr_antonina.mp3

In Alexandria, the virgin Antonina was brought before Festus, the Governor, tortured for her faith in Christ, then thrown into prison. A Christian soldier named Alexander, who had never before seen or heard of Antonina, was commanded by an angel of God to go to her.

Finding her, he gave her his military cloak, wrapping it about her head and body; and thus, with her head lowered, she was able to walk out of the prison while Alexander remained in her place.

Alexander was brought before Festus, where he too confessed his faith in Christ. Antonina, learning of this, voluntarily came before the judge, who put both of them to hideous tortures, mutilating them in many ways before having them cast into a fire and burned alive.

A slightly different account says that Festus placed Antonina under guard in a brothel rather than a prison, so that her virginity might be defiled, and that it was from there that Alexander rescued her.

Festus, the Governor, was struck mute at the time of the holy martyrs' death, and was tormented by an evil spirit for seven days, at the end of which he died.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs Alexander and Antonina, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 9 June

† St Cyril, archbishop of Alexandria (444)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_09_cyril_alexandria.mp3

St Cyril was from Alexandria, born about the year 376, the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks of Nitria, he later became the successor to his uncle's throne in 412.

In 429, when Cyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teachings about the Incarnation; and when the heresiarch did not repent, Saint Cyril, together with Pope Celestine of Rome, led the Orthodox opposition to his error.

Saint Cyril presided over the Third Ecumenical Council of the 200 holy Fathers in the year 431, who gathered in Ephesus under Saint Theodosius the Younger. At this Council, by his most wise words he put to shame and convicted the impious doctrine of Nestorius, who, although he was in town, refused to appear before Cyril.

Saint Cyril, besides overthrowing the error of Nestorius, has left to the Church full commentaries on the Gospels of Luke and John. Having shepherded the Church of Christ for thirty-two years, he reposed in 444." (Great Horologion)

Today we commemorate St Cyril's repose. He is also commemorated on January 18, the date of his restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had been driven out by Nestorians.

Troparion — Tone 1

With all reverence let us praise a light of the world, / the great orator and champion of the Mother of God. / For by his fiery teachings / he burned up the heresy of Nestorius; / therefore, let us cry out to him: / “Divine Cyril, intercede with Christ to strengthen the Orthodox Faith.”

Kontakion — Tone 6

You have openly poured out upon us the depth of the teachings of theology, / drawing from the well-springs of the Savior; / you drowned heresies / and saved your flock unharmed from triple waves. / Blessed and venerable Cyril, / you are shown to be a guide for all lands, revealing things divine.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 7 June

† Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra (303)

A secret Christian living in Ancyra, he would recover the bodies of the martyrs and give them honorable burial: it was he who buried the holy relics of the Virgin Martyrs Tecusa and her seven companions ( May 8 )

When he was discovered by the pagan authorites, they seized him, tortured him and finally beheaded him.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Theodotus and his companions, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 2

Podoben: “Seeking the highest...” / You struggled well, O Theodotus, / together with your fellow athletes and the passion-bearing virgins. / You have all received crowns of honor. / Therefore, unceasingly pray to Christ God for us all.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 6 June

† St Hilarion the New, abbot of the Dalmatian Monastery (845)

He was born in 775 in Cappadocia. He became abbot of the Monastery of Dalmatus, where he fervently defended the icons against the attacks of the Emperor Leo the Armenian. He was exiled twice, first by Leo, then by Theophilus, but was finally freed by the Empress Theodora and again became abbot of the monastery, where he served until his repose.

Troparion — Tone 4

O God of our Fathers, / Always act with kindness towards us; / take not Your mercy from us, / but guide our lives in peace / through the prayers of the venerable Bessarion and Hilarion the New.

Kontakion — Tone 2

You imitated the powers on high, venerable Hilarion, / living by example the life of those who take flight. / Led by steadfast desire to the heavenly good things of Christ the King, / you put passing things from your mind and attained to Him. / Entreat Him without ceasing for the sake of us all!

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 5 June

† Hieromartyr Dorotheus, bishop of Tyre (361)

He became Bishop of Tyre in Phoenecia during the reign of Diocletian. The persecutions under Diocletian and Maximian drove him to Thrace; after their death he returned to Tyre.

Persecution broke out again under Julian the Apostate, and Dorotheus was seized and tortured to death at the age of 107. He wrote learned writings in both Greek and Latin, telling the lives of the Prophets and the Saints.

Troparion — Tone 4

O Dorotheus, wise hierarch of Christ, / You received the light of wisdom as a gift from the Father of lights. / You increased the talents given to you / And in your old age contested beyond the bounds of nature. / And now, O Hieromartyr, you even intercede for our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 3

By preaching Orthodox doctrine, O Hieromartyr, / You offered yourself as a godly and holy gift. / First you excelled in asceticism / And then in the contest of martyrdom, / Attaining the victor’s prize from Christ our God!

Kontakion — Tone 5

You were resplendent, O blessed Dorotheus, / With virtues brighter than the sun and with your sufferings! / You shine forth and enlighten the land, / Dispelling the darkness of idolatry and base heresy. / Therefore, we celebrate your memory with splendor!

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 4 June (2)

† St Metrophanes, Archbishop of Constantinople (325)

https://media.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_04_metrophanes_pc.mp3

He was born into a pagan family, but his father Dometius, along with all his family, became Christians and went to Byzantium to escape persecution in Rome. Dometius was ordained a priest and in time became Bishop of Byzantium.

When Dometius died, his elder son Probus became Bishop; then when Probus died, Dometius' second son Metrophanes succeeded him. Metrophanes was enthroned around the time that Constantine the Great was establishing Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire. He sent a delegate to the First Ecumenical Council in 325, since he was unable to attend due to age and infirmity.

The Emperor Constantine loved Metrophanes as a father and urged the entire Council to visit the ailing Bishop. Ten days later he died.

Troparion — Tone 1

You proclaimed the great mystery of the Trinity, O good shepherd, / And manifested Christ’s dispensation to all, / Dispersing the spiritual wolves who menaced your rational flock, / Saving the lambs of Christ who cry: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who has exalted you! / Glory to him who through you has fortified the Orthodox Faith!

Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Metrophanes, / entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 2

You clearly taught the faith of Christ, / and by keeping it you truly increased your faithful flock to a multitude; / and so, Metrophanes, you now rejoice with the angels and unceasingly intercede for us all.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 4 June (1)

† Holy Myrrh-bearers Mary and Martha, sisters of St Lazarus (1st c.)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_04_mary_martha.mp3

Mary and Martha, with their brother Lazarus, were especially devoted disciples of our Lord; their story up to the time of the Resurrection can be found in Luke 10 and John 11-12. Mary and Martha were among the Myrrh-bearing women. They, with their brother, reposed in Cyprus, where Lazarus became first Bishop of Kition after he was raised from death by Christ.

An ancient tradition holds that Lazarus was thirty years old when he was restored to life by the Lord, and that he lived another thirty years. After he was raised from the dead, he never again laughed; but once, when he saw someone stealing a clay pot, he smiled and said, 'Clay stealing clay.' His name is a Greek version of Eleazar, meaning 'God has helped.

Troparion of Martha and Mary, Sisters of Lazarus
Third Tone

Since ye believed in Christ with strong and ardent faith, and ever worshipped His divine and mighty deeds, ye both adorned yourselves with all the splendour of sacred virtues. With your holy brother now, ye are also vouchsafed to dwell with the ranks of Saints on high, O ye sisters of Lazarus; and with him, O wise Mary and Martha, ye pray for us all unto the Master.

Kontakion of Martha and Mary, Sisters of Lazarus
Third Tone

In the town of Bethany, ye dwelt of old; now in Heaven ye abide in Paradise, where our Lord's countenance shineth. For ye gave your hearts and souls up with fervent longing unto Him that is the Life and the Resurrection; as ye stand on high, O Mary and Martha, pray Him to grant salvation to us.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 3 June

† Holy Martyr Lucillian and those with him (270)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_03_lucillian.mp3

Lucilian spent most of his life as a pagan priest. In advanced old age, he learned the truth of the Christian faith and was baptized. The conversion of so public a figure quickly attracted attention, and Lucilian was brought to trial in Nicomedia.

After enduring many tortures he was imprisoned with four young Christians, scarcely older than children: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. When they were brouht before Silvanos the governor, all five confessed their faith and were sentenced to death and cast into a fiery furnace. When they miraculously emerged unharmed, they were taken to Byzantium, where the four young men were beheaded and Lucillian was crucified.

A maiden named Paula openly carried away the martyrs' bodies and buried them. For this she in turn was tortured and, refusing to renounce her faith in Christ, beheaded. This was in the reign of the Emperor Aurelian. A church was built in their honor in Constantinople.

Troparion — Tone 1

By your faith, you shone like a radiant star in the dark night of error; / you fought the good fight and slew the crafty enemy, O Lucillian. / Together with venerable Paula and the four martyred children / entreat Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 2

You attained the dignity of the martyrs of Christ / through the torments that you courageously endured, O Lucillian. / Together with Paula and the four martyred children, / you sing to the Creator: / “Like sheep we are slaughtered for love of You, O Savior.”

Sunday, 2nd June, 2024: Corpus Christi Procession

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 2 June

† St Nikephoros the Confessor, patriarch of Constantinople (829)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/06_02_nikephoros.mp3

Nikephoros was born in Constantinople around 758, of pious parents: his father had been exiled under Constantine Copronymus for his steadfast veneration of the holy icons. Nikephoros served in the imperial palace as a secretary, but later renounced worldly success to struggle in monastic life near Constantinople.

He built and administered a monastery which soon became filled with monks; but he himself never took the monastic habit, feeling himself unworthy. Though a layman, he took part in the Seventh Ecumenical Council at the request of the Emperor and Patriarch because of his remarkable knowledge of Holy Scripture.

Much against his will, he was made Patriarch of Constantinople at the death of Patriarch Tarasios. He was made a monk, then elevated through all the priestly orders in a few days, then enthroned at St Sophia in 806.

A few years later, the Emperor Leo the Armenian took the throne. Patriarch Nikephoros, as was customary, sent him a Confession of the Orthodox Faith to sign. Leo put off signing the document until his coronation, then revealed himself to be an Iconoclast heretic.

The Patriarch tried quietly to bring him back to the Orthodox faith, but to no avail. When the Emperor, in his turn, tried to make the holy Nikephoros bow to iconoclasm, the Patriarch clearly and publicly upheld the veneration of the holy Icons.

For this he was deposed and driven into exile at the Monastery of St Theodore, which he himself had founded. Here he reposed, having served for nine years as Patriarch, and thirteen years in exile and privation.

Troparion — Tone 3

Through your inspired confession, / you gained victory for the Church, holy Hierarch Nicephorus. / You suffered unjust exile / because of your reverence for the icon of God the Word. / Righteous Father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)

Since you have received from God in heaven / a crown of victory, glorious Nicephorus, / save those who faithfully honor you as a hierarch of Christ and a teacher.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The Saint of the day 31 May

† Apostle Hermas of the Seventy

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/05_31_hermas_pc.mp3

Hermas is mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul (Romans 16:14). He served as a bishop in the first-century Church, and died a martyr. His book, The Shepherd, is one of the earliest Christian writings outside of the New Testament, and was held in such esteem by the early Church that it is sometimes found in ancient collections of the Holy Scriptures.

Hermas had been a wealthy man, but had fallen into poverty through his sins. A man, clad all in white and holding a staff, appeared to St Hermas and, telling him that he was an angel of repentance, gave St Hermas twelve commandments:

•To believe in God

•To live in simplicity and innocence

•To love truth and flee from falsehood

•To guard his thoughts in chastity

•To learn patience and magnanimity of soul

•To know that a good and an evil spirit attend every man

•To fear God, but not the devil

•To perform every good deed and to restrain himself from every evil one

•To pray to God in faith from the depths of his heart, so that his prayer might be heard

•To preserve himself from melancholy, the daughter of doubt, and from anger

•To try true and false prophecies

•To preserve himself from every evil desire.

Troparion — Tone 3

Holy Apostle Hermas, / entreat the merciful God, / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen

The saint of the day 30 May

† St Isaac, founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople (383)

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/sotd/05-30_Isaac_DalmatianMon.mp3

While a hermit in the east, Isaac heard that the Arians, supported by the Emperor Valens, were persecuting Orthodoxy. Leaving his seclusion, he travelled to Constantinople, where he lived in a small hut. He confronted the Emperor, telling him that if he did not cease his persecutions and embrace the true Faith, disaster would befall him. The Emperor ignored his words, and shortly thereafter was killed in a battle with the Goths.

The Emperor Theodosius the Great then came to the throne, restoring peace to the Church. Hearing of Isaac and his prophecy, the Emperor sent for Isaac and prostrated before him. Isaac wished to return to the desert, but was persuaded to remain as a monk in Constantinople.

He took part in the Second Ecumenical Council, where he shone in zeal for the Faith; the Third Ecumenical Council made him archimandrite over all the monasteries in the City. (Some say that the monastery founded by him is called the Dalmatian Monastery because it was built by Dalmatus, a wealthy nobleman of the City; others say that it was founded by St Isaac himself and later took its name from Abbot Dalmatus, who succeeded Isaac). In his own lifetime St Isaac was known far and wide as a wonderworker and one endowed with the gift of prophecy.

Saint Isaac is also commemorated in August 3, along with Dalmatus and his son Faustus.

Troparion — Tone 8

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, venerable Isaac, rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion — Tone 8

As a faithful favorite of God you became enflamed with zeal for the Church of Christ / and drew in the reins of the emperor Valens, O venerable one; / you prophetically foretold to him the captivity of the Church and of his own wretched death. / Therefore, venerable Isaac, ceaselessly pray for us who honor you.