February 10-St.Charalambos

Today we celebrate St.Charalambos (+198 A.D.). This Saint's day brings me such pleasure. His name means "the one who shines with joy"; isn't this a great discription of a Christian?
He also is the patron saint of Elis county in the Peloponese (Southern Greece), where my late grandfather came from.

Saint Charalambos was the Bishp of Magnesia, Asia Minor. St. Charalambos preached the faith of Christ, helped people in need and guided them into the way of Christianity, refusing to offer sacrifice to the idols. Military commander Lucius heard of his teachings and arrested him. Saint Charalambos endured inhuman tortures despite his old age of 113 years. He earned his sainthood by his endurance of unique physical punishment and his belief in the Christian faith. As the methods of torture were not successful, Emperor Septimus Severus ordered for the Saint to be brought to Antioch, Syria, where he was further tortured and nailed on a cross. St. Charalambos continued to express his faith to Christianity and he was beheaded. His two executioners converted to Christianity immediately after the saint died as they heard a voice saying "Well done, my faithful servant; enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

Apolytikion

O wise Haralambos,
you were proven an unshakable
pillar of the Church of Christ;
an ever-shining lamp of the universe.
You shone in the world by your martyrdom.
You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry,O blessed one.
Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ
that we may be saved.

Kontakion

O Priest-martyr, athlete, champion Haralambos,
your relics are a priceless treasure of the Church.
Wherefore she rejoices, glorifying the Creator.

You may rad more bout his life, here.