Feast of Saint Averkios of Hierapolis marked with barley bread and prayers for healing
Believers observe the second‑century miracle‑worker with prayers, a barley‑bread custom and readings of his deeds.
Today believers of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric mark the feast of Saint Averkios of Hierapolis, the second‑century healer and miracle‑worker venerated as equal‑to‑the‑apostles.
According to the tradition that is remembered on this day, Averkios served as bishop in the Phrygian city of Hierapolis during the reign of Emperor Antoninus. Disturbed by the idol worship he saw during a pagan festival, he entered an idol temple and smashed the images, an act that provoked the furious local population.
When a crowd moved to kill him, three young men suddenly fell before him «with foam on their mouths» and cried out as though possessed. Averkios is said to have cast the demons out of them by prayer; the youths were restored and became calm and healthy.
The miracle moved many pagans: five hundred of those present accepted baptism that day, and, gradually, the whole city of Hierapolis came to faith in Jesus Christ. The accounts also say that among those healed were the mother of the antipat Publij, who was blind, and an imperial daughter in Rome who had been driven mad; Averkios later healed her when summoned in old age.
He is remembered as a tireless preacher who, at Christ’s direction through several reported apparitions, carried the Gospel into Syria and Mesopotamia. The tradition adds that demons not only feared him but served him at his command, and that people from near and far sought him out for help with incurable afflictions.
Popular custom
On this feast, many faithful keep the custom of eating a loaf made from barley. The belief attached to that practice is that eating barley bread helps people better understand the wise words of Saint Averkios and brings health and happiness.
Troparion
"O blessed of God, Averkios, merciful saint,
you wept for human ignorance,
you shattered the error of idolatry by the power of Christ,
hell bowed its head before you,
and by your prayers the Savior received a multitude of souls unto Himself;
O shepherd of God, both on earth and now in heaven,
remember our names."
Photo: Vikimdija
