Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain.
The Holy Martyr Agapios and his CompanionsCommemorated March 15
St Aristobulos, the brother of St Barnabas, was ordained to be Bishop in Britain by the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his Epistle to the Romans (16:10). St Aristobulos suffered many afflictions at the hands of pagans, but also brought many to Christ. Having established the Church there, he finally reposed in peace.
The Holy Martyr Agapios and his Companions contested for piety's sake during the reign of Diocletian (284-305 AD), when Urban was Governor of Caesarea in Palestine. When Urban had commanded that together with a heathen festival, certain condemned Christians be publicly cast to wild beasts, Timolaus, a native of Pontus, Dionysios of Tripolis in Phoenicia, Romulos of Diospolis, Plesios (or Paisios) and Alexander from Egypt, and another Alexander from Gaza, tied their own hands and presented themselves to Urban when the exhibition was about to begin, professing their faith in Christ; they were immediately cast into prison. A few days later Agapios and Dionysios also presented themselves. All were beheaded together at Caesarea.
Dismissal Hymn of St Aristobulos (Third Tone)
O Holy Apostle Aristobulos, intercede with the merciful God that He grant to our souls forgiveness of offences.
Dismissal Hymn of the Martyrs (First Tone)
The soldiers standing guard
Let all us all entreat Christ the Lord's holy Martyrs, for they make supplication for our souls' salvation; with faith and with longing, therefore, let us draw near to them, for they overflow with the divine grace of healing, and they drive away the ranks of demons in terror, as guardians of the Faith.