Feb. 3 – Symeon the God-Receiver

Saint Symeon the God-Receiver was the son of the priest Jonah. He was one of the translators of the Holy Scriptures for Ptolemy, the king of Egypt. While translating the words of the prophet Isaiah concerning the birth of the Savior from a Virgin (Is. 7:14), when he wanted to replace the word “virgin” with “woman,” an angel appeared to him, forbade the change, and as proof that the prophecy would be fulfilled, promised that he would not die until he himself had seen the Savior. And so it came to pass: on the fortieth day after the birth, St. Symeon saw the Savior, recognized Him, took Him into his arms (for which he is called God-Receiver), foretold His sufferings and death, and soon afterward reposed, having lived 360 years!

Saint Anna was an eighty-four-year-old widow who had lived only seven years in marriage and then dedicated herself to God, spending day and night in prayer. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she recognized the Infant Savior, glorified God Who had granted mankind a Savior, and spoke of Him to all who were awaiting the appearance of the Messiah. For the holiness of her life and for her preaching about the Savior, St. Anna is called a prophetess.

The prophet Azariah prophesied in the 10th century before Christ, during the reign of Asa, king of Judah. “Hearken unto me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you,” Azariah once said to King Asa and the people, and they all swore to remain faithful to God.

The martyrs Adrian and Eubulus suffered for their unyielding faith in Caesarea of Palestine, around the year 308. Adrian was beheaded with a sword, while Eubulus was torn apart by wild beasts.

The martyrs Papias, Diodorus, and Claudian were blood brothers—Pamphylian shepherds. They suffered during the Decian persecution in the year 250 for spreading the Christian faith.

The martyr Vlasiy (Blaise) (also called Bucolus) was a Cappadocian by birth. He lived in the 3rd century. Having distributed his possessions to the poor and needy, he boldly confessed Christ before the pagans, for which he was brought before a pagan judge. The judge subjected him to various torments; yet by miracles and steadfastness in suffering, he converted many to Christ. After his death, a bright dove was seen flying over his body.