September 12

Reading

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.

Kontakion of Hieromartyr Autonomos

Second Tone

O wise one, thou wast initiated solemnly in matters divine, O Martyr, blest Autonomos. Thou wast made a pleasing sacrifice when thou drankest the cup of Christ; and while standing before Him now, thou ceaselessly prayest Him for all of us.