The Venerable Publius
Commemorated January 25
Saint Publius of Syria was born in the city of Zeugma on the Euphrates and was a senator. Renouncing the world, he gave away his possessions, became a monk, and lived an ascetical life in a cave on a mountain in the Syrian wilderness.
St Publius founded two monasteries: one for Greeks, and another for Syrians. He died in the year 380. Of his disciples, Sts Theoteknos, Theodotus, Gregory, and Aphthonius were particularly known for the sanctity of their life.
St Publius guided the monastery for over forty years, was eventually made an archimandrite. Though elevated in rank, he changed neither his garb nor his manner of life, but remained a strict ascetic.
Troparion
In thee, O father, was manifestly preserved what is in the image of God, for having taken up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thine own example hast taught that the flesh is to be despised as transient, but that particular care should be bestowed on the soul, as a thing immortal; wherefore, together with the angels, rejoiceth also thine, O holy Publius, spirit.
Kontakion
Having divinely armed thyself with the purity of thy soul and unceasing prayers firmly grasping as a spear, thou, our father Publius, hast pierced the armies of the demon; supplicate unceasingly for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
