September 3

Reading

Saint Theoctistus, a monk at the Palestinian lavra of Pharan, embraced a more severe life in the wilderness with his friend Saint Euthymius the Great. They founded a monastery, of which Theoctistus was the abbot. He reposed in deep old age in 451.

Apolytikion of Righteous Theoctistus and Euthymius

Plagal of the Fourth Tone

With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Theoktistos, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.

Kontakion of Righteous Theoctistus and Euthymius

Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Thou didst preserve the dignity of thy soul free of every stain, which as God's creature, thou wholly didst dedicate unto the Lord, O righteous one; and divinely enlightened, thou didst rise to the pinnacle of true godliness, O godly Theoctistus, confirming thy name in very deed.