January 31st, a day for prayer.
Today’s Saints
The Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John are commemorated at every Liturgy. They are called upon for those seeking healing of all kinds. Also, St. Tryphaena is a swift mediator for those women dealing with nursing issues. As was discussed in last night’s supper together, there are many in need of healing and we are also blessed to have mothers of little ones. So, in your mercy, let's pray for our Orthodox brethren in need of help.
The martyrs chose to be slain for Christ rather than offer sacrifice to idols, and to offer themselves to the wicked tyrant for Him Who like a lamb was slaughtered for us in His loving-kindness.
The martyrs made weak those who piteously dismembered them, and, wounded by darts, they wounded the children instead; for they were all-gloriously made steadfast by the divine Spirit.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Confessing the Lord and King of all creation with faith, the two martyrs were of one mind and suffered together, opposing the iniquitous even to the shedding of their blood.
Offering yourselves to God, O saints, ye endured every trial for His sake, dying zealously, O valiant martyrs; and even after your repose ye pour forth divine gifts upon all in divers infirmities, healing many of afflictions, of whom I am first, wretch that I am. For I ail in body and soul because of cruel wounds, and with faith I cry out to you: Heal me, for ye are divine physicians.
Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us!
A Prayer for Today
O Lord Almighty, healer of our souls and bodies, Who putteth down and raiseth up, Who chastiseth and health also; now, in Thy great mercy, visit our brothers and sisters who are sick. Stretch forth Thy hand that is full of healing and health, and raise them up, and cure them of their illness. Put away from them the spirit of disease and of every malady, pain and fever to which they are bound. And if they have sins and transgressions, grant to them remission and forgiveness, for Thou lovest humankind. Yea, O Lord my God, have pity on Thy creation, through the compassions of Thine only-begotten Son, together with Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, with whom Thou art blessed, both now and ever, and to ages of ages.
Further Reading
You can read about the lives of the Holy Unmercenary Healers Cyrus & John here. And of St. Tryphaena here.