The Martyrdom of St . Ananias, the Apostle .

On this day, St . Ananias, the apostle, departed . The apostles ordained this saint bishop for thecity of Damascus . He preached therein with the life-giving gospel, as he preached also in the cityof Beth-Gabriel and converted many of its people to the faith, and baptized them and theirchildren .St . Ananias was the one to baptize the apostle Paul when the Lord sent him to him . When hebaptized St . Paul, something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight at once .God wrought many great miracles by his hands; and many of the Jews and Gentiles believedthrough his preaching . Afterwards, Lucianus the governor seized St . Ananias, and tortured himwith sever tortures, such as burning his sides with fiery torches . Finally, Lucianus took himoutside the city, and commanded him stoned until St . Ananias delivered up his pure soul in thehand of the Lord .May his prayers be with us . Amen .