Today, September 1st, the beginning of the Ecclesiastical year, the Church honors the memory of Jesus of Nazareth, who was the successor of Moses. We also honor the memory of Saint Symeon the Stylite, the martyr Kallisti and the forty holy women martyrs, who were coming from Edirne in Thrace and martyred under the emperor of Likini, and their teacher, deacon Ammun.
It is worth mentioning the names of the women martyrs: Adamantini, Kallirroi, Charikleia, Pinelopi, Kleio, Thaleia, Marianthi, Efterpi, Terpsichori, Ourania, Kleoniki, Sapfo, Erato, Polymnia, Dodoni, Athina, Troada, Kleopatra, Koralia, Kallisti, Theonoi, Theano, Aspasia, Polyniki, Dioni, Theofani, Erasmia, Ermineia, Afroditi, Margarita, Antigoni, Pandora, Chaido, Lampro, Moscho, Arivoia, Theonymfi, Akrivi, Melpomeni and Elpiniki.
Today, we still celebrate the beginning of the Indiction, that is, the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year.
The name “Indictus” comes from the Latin word “indictio” which means definition. This is the Roman imperial decree, according to which the citizens of the Roman Empire had to pay a tax for the maintenance of the army on the first of September, the beginning of the financial year.
Due to the fact that the month of August the harvest of several kinds of fruits of the year is being completed, the month of September is counted as the beginning of the new year. The Church, with hymns and supplications, prays to the Lord and Creator of the universe, as it gives during the New Year every blessing and opportunity for the creation of good works for the glory of God.
Throughout the year we wish in the worship life of the Church: “for the prosperity of the air, the euphoria of the fruits of the earth and for times of peace.” However, the arrogance and “greed” of modern man has led to alienation from God, the encroachment of the natural environment, the relentless waste and pollution of natural resources and the depletion of natural resources and at the same time the increase of waste.
Let us therefore ask the Holy Triune God, Creator of the universe, to bless the new ecclesiastical year, giving us the necessary spiritual armor with new strength and endurance, as well as readiness for new spiritual struggles to face daily dangers and sorrows and with perspective the sanctification in Christ.
Covid-19, the new pandemic of the 21st century, until its complete disappearance from society, will remind us of our weakness and strength. We alone are weak. By acknowledging the omnipotence of the Triune God we become strong and resilient in both soul and body, as we continue to adhere to the hygiene protocols of the responsible state.
Source: Church of Cyprus