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Holy Martyr Phanurios 9/9/2013
It is not known who this saint was nor when he lived. He is highly venerated on Rhodes and Crete, and in our area in Prilep and Bitola. In 1500 he appeared to some men on the island of Rhodes and showed miracles and healings there. There an old icon of him was found as well. On it Phanurius is represented as a young soldier, holding a cross in his right hand, and a candle in the left one. Saint Phanurius is highly venerated in Egypt, too. A tradition exists there that his mother was a great and incorrigible sinner. Yet the filial love of Saint Phanurius toward her was exceptional. He prayed to God more for the salvation of his mother, then for his own one. At his murder, while the pagans piled stones upon him, the saint prayed: “For these sufferings of mine, help O Lord to all who will pray for the salvation of my sinful mother.” In Egypt, and here as well, many pray exactly thus: “Save, O Lord, the sinful mother of Saint Phanurius, and help me, the sinner, as well.” And for this prayer many receive help.
