Feast Day: January 8th
The Life of Saint Abo: Saint Abo spent nine days in prison Fasting, Praying, Chanting Psalms, and selling all that he had in order to give alms. On his last night in prison he stripped off his clothes to be sold, and with the money bought Candles and Incense to be burned in the Churches for him, with Prayer for his Martyrdom. He spent the whole night standing in his prison cell holding up two great candles which burned down in his hands as he recited the Psalms…
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A Prayer
Kontakion – Tone 2: You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Abo; extinguishing the allure of false gods, you enlighten the faithful, always interceding for us all.
“Let me go, and I will freely declare my Christian faith to those who hate Christ!”
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“I am prepared not only to be tortured for Christ, but to die for His sake as well.”
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On the day of his Martyrdom Saint Abo washed his face, anointed it with Holy Oil, partook of the Holy Gifts, and prepared for his death as though preparing for a feast, he cheerfully told the faithful Christians who surrounded him: “Weep not, but rejoice, for I am going to my Lord. Pray for me, and may the peace of God protect you.” There Saint Abo placed his arms on his breast in the form of a Cross and joyously bowed his head beneath the sword.
An Icon
