Martyr Felicitas of Rome, and her seven sons

Commemorated on January 25.

The Holy Martyr Felicitas with her Seven Sons, Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalius and Marcial. Saint Felicitas was born of a rich Roman family. She boldly confessed before the emperor and civil authorities that she was a Christian. The pagan priests said that she was insulting the gods by spreading Christianity. Saint Felicitas and her sons were turned over to the Prefect Publius for torture.

Saint Felicitas witnessed the suffering of her sons, and prayed to God that they would stand firm and enter the heavenly Kingdom before her. All the sons died as martyrs before the eyes of their mother, who was being tortured herself.

Saint Felicitas soon followed her sons in martyrdom for Christ. They suffered at Rome about the year 164. Saint Gregory Dialogus mentions her in his Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Mt.12:47).

Troparion

(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
Your Martyrs, O Lord, in their contest for You
have received as a prize the crowns of incorruption and life from You, our immortal God;
for since they possessed Your strength, they cast down the tyrants
and wholly destroyed the demons' powerless presumption.
O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion

(Podoben: “Seeking the highest...”)
O divine martyrs, you appeared as bright beacons,
illumining all of creation with the radiance of your miracles;
do not cease to entreat Christ to deliver us all from our maladies,
and drive away from us the profound darkness of ignorance.