The Byzantine Shrine on Beacon Hill

New Martyr Christos of Preveza

Not many people know the life of St. Christos from Preveza, Epirus, who is commemorated on August 5 and is a miracle worker.

His spiritual senses worked perfectly because he was nurtured by Orthodox Christian teaching from his childhood and brought up in an atmosphere of Christian traditions.

As a sailor, his own profession, his heart, was captivated by God’s great and endless love.

This endless love of God eventually led to his martyrdom. One day some Janissaries (at one point Greek children that were forced to convert to Islam) began to insult and attack him for his faith.

The Janissairies beat him severely, with rage and fury. But he did not bend his head, did not submit. Because his love for Christ was not, like most people, incidental and short-lived.

Eventually he was burned alive, without uttering a sound, except for “I believe in God…”, that is, the symbol of faith, the Apostle’s Creed.

The wicked Janissaries not only burned him alive, but they were so vengeful, that they left his body unburied for a whole month. With God’s grace, Saint Christos body was neither stinking nor being approached by dog or beast. Instead, as a kind of miracle, a sun like lighting radiated from his body.

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Christos, O Lord, / through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights…”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, / which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Christos; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.