Friendship in Sebastia – Day 27 of 40

Armodoxy for Today: Friendship in Sebastia – Day 27 of Lent

The Armenian Church celebrates the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia today, on this 27^th day of Lent. Sebastia is a town in Armenia. The entire Christian Church commemorates the martyrdom that took place there as a lesson in perseverance, sacrifice and friendship.

The story of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia takes place in the 4th century, when 40 soldiers of the Roman army armed with a faith in Jesus Christ, are put to the test: either deny their faith or lose their lives. They refuse to betray or deny their faith in Christ Jesus. They are sentenced to a torturous death by being thrown into a mid-winter freezing lake. The forty men reach out to one another. They hold on to one another creating a human life raft. The water miraculously warms up. God creates an opportunity for the freezing water to give warmth, to give life. In so doing the men are also given an opportunity to be crowned as saints.

I would like to focus on the friendship that existed between these soldiers, particularly because they had the same foundation of faith. Even more, they belonged to a community that brought them together. The Church is the Christian community where we can gather to hold on to one another. The forty held on to each other and stay afloat in that lake. They found strength in one another. This is a model for the Church. What I present here as Armodoxy is the model as it was presented to us by Jesus Christ. The Martyrs of Sebastia were saved by that Church – by the power of Christ in the ring of friends.

The forty Martyrs of Sebastia understood the message of Christ as an expression of community. The name of the feast itself is about community. It is not one martyr that we remember, but 40 martyrs. It is a collective. People hanging on to one another, staying afloat, despite the difficulties in life. When we understand this, then we start reaching out to one another. We no longer fear sinking. We’re there for one another. Reaching out, hanging on, staying afloat in the waters of life… Understand that this is how miracles happen, because it at these moments that God heats the waters! We have yet another opportunity to really set sail and reach the dreams that we cannot do alone but certainly possible because of the community collective.

Today’s act of charity is to reach out to a friend, friends or family members. Engage them in a conversation about Faith. Fast from fear. Maybe even invite a friend to enjoy today’s Lenten recipe with you, Cold Linguine with Red Pepper, Artichoke and Sun-Dried tomato sauce. The recipe is linked below. Don’t forget to mention it’s a Lenten meal and there is a reason we follow the Lenten exercises.

We pray from St. Nersess Shnorhali (24) Glorified Lord, accept the supplications of your servant and graciously fulfill my petitions through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, John the Baptist, St. Steven the first martyr, St. Gregory our Illuminator, the holy apostles, prophets, divines, martyrs, patriarchs, hermits, virgins [and especially the 40 martyred saints of Sebastia as well as] all your saints in heaven and on earth. And unto you, oh indivisible Holy Trinity be glory and worship for ever and ever. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 27: Cold Linguine with Red Pepper, Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Sauce