On October 23, the Orthodox commemorate the martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia

At the beginning of the fourth century, brother and sister Eulampius and Eulampius lived in Nicomedia. When Emperor Maximian decreed the execution of Christians, the young man was openly indignant at this injustice. For this he was subjected to severe torture: he was beaten with iron bars and put on a red-hot bed.

To break his spirit, the torturers allowed Eulampius to enter the pagan temple. There, instead of renouncing his faith, he loudly commanded the idol of Mars to fall to earth. The statue collapsed to dust, and the people cried out, “Great is the Christian God!” Soon the sister of the martyr came to the judges, declaring herself a Christian. Her brother encouraged her to say that you can only kill the body, not the soul. After a miraculous rescue from a red-hot furnace, Eulampius was beheaded, and his sister died from the pain received.

On the same day, the church remembers one of the most revered holy fathers of Russia, the Monk Ambrose of Optina. In the world Alexander Grenkov, he vowed to go to a monastery after a serious illness. In 1839 he entered Optina Deserts, where he became a disciple and spiritual successor of the great elders.

The fame of the foresight and wisdom of Father Ambrose spread throughout the country. Great minds of the era came to him for advice and healing: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Lev Tolstoy, Vladimir Solovyov. The elder never spoke empty words, and his instructions always struck at the core. He had the gift of healing, helped the poor and founded the Shamordinsky convent for orphans and needy women.

The elder died in 1891, but his prayerful help did not stop after his death: he repeatedly appeared suffering in sleep and reality, giving healing and consolation.

On October 23, birthdays are celebrated: Andrei, Vasily, Evlampiy, Evlampiy, Innocent.