The two friends Gury and Samon, preachers of the Word of God, were arrested in the city of Edessa.
The saints refused to offer sacrifice to the gods, and boldly confessed their faith in Christ. For this they were subjected to cruel tortures: they were beaten, hung up by their hands, heavy weights were tied to their feet, and they were cast into a stifling prison.
The martyrs endured everything with firmness and Samonas uttered a prayer to the Lord, which one of the witnesses to their death wrote down: “O Lord my God, against Whose will not a single sparrow falls into the snare. It was You Who made room for David in his sorrow (Ps. 4:1), Who proved the Prophet David stronger than lions (Dan. ch. 6), and granted a child of Abraham to be victor over torture and flames (Dan. ch. 3, ch. 14). You know also, Lord, the infirmity of our nature, You see the struggle set before us. Our foe strives to snatch us, the work of Your right hand, away from You and to deprive us of the glory which is in You. With Your compassionate eye watching over us, preserve in us the inextinguishable light of Your Commandments. Guide our steps by Your light, and make us worthy of Your Kingdom, for You are blessed unto ages of ages.”
By night, they took the martyrs out beyond the city and beheaded them (+ 299-306). Christians buried their holy bodies with reverence.
After some years, the last pagan emperor, Licinius (311-324), began a persecution against Christians. Aviv, a deacon of the Church of Edessa whom the emperor ordered to be arrested for his zealous spreading of the true Faith, presented himself before the executioners when he learned they were searching for him. The saint confessed his faith in Christ and was sentenced to be burned alive. The martyr went willingly into the fire and with a prayer surrendered his soul to the Lord. When the fire went out, the mother and relatives of the saint found his body unharmed. They buried the martyr next to Saints Gury and Samon.
After the death of the saints, numerous miracles were wrought by them for those who entreated their help with faith and love.
Once, a certain Gothic soldier, sent to serve at Edessa, took the pious virgin Euphemia as his wife. Before this the barbarian vowed to her mother Sophia at the graves of the Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv that he would do his spouse no harm, and would never insult her, but would always love and cherish her.
At the completion of his service in Edessa, he took Euphemia with him back to his native land. It turned out that he had deceived her, for he already had a wife at home, and Euphemia became her slave.
Her evil husband threatened to kill her if she revealed to anyone that they were married. Euphemia suffered much abuse and humiliation. When she gave birth to a son, the jealous Gothic woman poisoned him. Euphemia turned with prayer to the holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, the witnesses to the perjurer’s oath, and the Lord delivered Euphemia from her suffering and miraculously returned her to Edessa, where she was welcomed by her mother.
After a certain while the Goth was again sent to serve in Edessa. The whole city learned of his misdeeds after he was denounced by Sophia. The Goth was executed by order of the prefect of the city.
In an Akathist, the Holy Church addresses the martyrs: “Rejoice, Gury, Samon and Aviv, Heavenly Patrons of honorable marriage.”
We pray to them for deliverance from family turmoil, and from marital difficulties, especially where one spouse hates the other without cause.
The canon of the martyrs, with 4 Troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I praise the three who speak most wisely together”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV:
Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Theologizing worshipfully concerning the lordship of the Trinity, O saints, ye easily destroyed the inconstant darkness of polytheism, shining forth like stars of great radiance from the East.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
O ye three confessors who are manifestly illumined by the grace of the ruling Trinity, showing forth your opposition with endurance ye destroyed the falsehood of polytheism.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Making you sons by adoption through love, O glorious ones, He Who is the essential Son hath shown you forth as co-heirs to the inheritance now manifestly given Him, and sharers in His kingdom, in that He is compassionate.
Thou wast the tabernacle of the most wise Wisdom, O all-immaculate one; for it was His good pleasure to make for Himself a temple of thy most pure blood, O pure one, for the salvation of our souls.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church, O Christ, rejoiceth in Thee crying aloud: * Thou, O Lord, art my strength, * my refuge and foundation.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
The confessors and favorites of Christ willingly gave their bodies over to tortures and cruel wounds.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
O holy ones, pray ye that those who celebrate your memory with faith may be delivered from evil thoughts of sin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Suspended upon a tree, with endurance the honored witnesses most piously preserved inviolate their confession.
He Who entered into thy womb hath shown thee to be a well-spring of healings, O most pure Mother of God; wherefore, heal thou my soul.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom …”: Armed with the Cross of Christ, as champions of the Faith ye manfully cast down all the might of the tyrants, and denounced all the ungodliness of the idols, O holy ones, fervently confessing the Trinity. Wherefore, ye have worthily received crowns of victory, in that ye suffered lawfully, O all-glorious spiritual athletes. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Another Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII & same melody: Serving Christ in martyrdom, possessed of an unenslaved soul and wisdom ye enslaved the delusion of the tyrants; for, wounded by faith in the Trinity, O all- praised ones, ye denounced the inglorious fame of polytheism. Wherefore, like stars ye shine forth radiantly in the world with the brilliance of miracles, O blessed and all-praised spiritual athletes. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honor your holy memory.
Theotokion in Tone VIII: All we, the generations of mankind, * call thee blessed, * in that thou art the Virgin who alone among women * hast given birth without seed unto God in the flesh; * for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, * and thou didst feed the Creator and Lord * with milk as an infant. * Wherefore, we, the race of mankind and of angels, * glorify thy birthgiving, * and together we cry out to thee: * Entreat Christ God to grant forgiveness of sins ** unto those who with faith worship thy most holy Offspring.
Stavrotheotokion (in place of the theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): Upon beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Redeemer * upon the Cross, * the ewe-lamb exclaimed weeping, bitterly lamenting, and crying aloud: * “The world rejoiceth, having received deliverance through Thee, * but my womb doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion, * which Thou hast endured in Thy merciful loving-kindness. * O long-suffering Lord, * Thou abyss and inexhaustible well-spring of mercy, * take pity, and grant forgiveness of sins ** unto those who hymn Thy divine sufferings with faith!”
Ode, IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the Cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory be to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
The crowned ones, equal in number to the Trinity, illumined with thrice-radiant light those who now celebrate their most sacred memory, granting healing unto them
all.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
O ye divinely wise, let us hasten with reverence to the radiant and splendid shrine of the martyrs; for it poureth forth healings upon those who cry out with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Confessing the divine dispensation and the mystery which transcendeth understanding, with tongues of theology, the godly and all-wise confessors trampled underfoot all the ungodliness of the tyrants.
In a manner transcending understanding, O Virgin, thou wast shown to be a virgin even after giving birth. Wherefore, with unwavering faith, O Lady, we unceasingly cry out: Rejoice!
Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who camest into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Shining manifestly with the radiance of their struggles, the champions of the Faith put to shame the savage character of the tyrants.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
The miracles of the martyrs have been manifestly proclaimed unto all the ends of the world, and have made all steadfast through faith.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Receiving the seed of grace like good earth, the blessed ones industriously produced riches by their manner of life.
He Who alone is good, Who sustaineth all things by the depths of His goodness, O Mother of God, deigned to be held in thine arms.
Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * ‘I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Having withstood all torments lawfully and manifestly preserved the faith, as valiant warriors, O divinely wise ones, ye have received crowns of divine righteousness.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Of old Habbakuk was lifted up on high at the command of God; and through you, O divinely eloquent ones, the tortured maiden was returned to her mother.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The shrine of the martyrs shineth with miracles and poureth forth rivers of healing upon all who approach it with faith and marvel at their endurance.
Finding thee alone among the thorns as a most pure rose and a lily of the valley, O Mother of God, the noetic Bridegroom made His abode within thee.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest …”: Having received grace from on high, * O all-praised martyrs, * ye intercede for those amid temptations; * wherefore, ye delivered the maiden from a bitter death, O holy ones: ** for ye are truly the glory of Edessa and the joy of the world.
Ikos: Entreated by the supplications of Thy spiritual athletes, deliver me from bondage to the enemy, O Jesus, Bestower of life, that, acquiring a soul and body unenslaved by the passions, I may praise their speedy assistance: for they quickly delivered from death the maiden enclosed in a tomb by the wickedness of her husband, anticipating her need, and she cried: Ye are the glory of Edessa and the joy of the world!
Ode VII, Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety * rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
He Who delivered the children of Abraham in the furnace hath now also saved the foreign maiden from cruel peril by the mediation of His holy favorites, in that He is compassionate.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
O Word, Wisdom and Power of God, the infamous murderer who inflicted torment of most savage inhumanity was straightway tried for all his evils by Thy righteous judgment.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strengthened by her trust in you, O glorious ones, the maiden who had been enclosed with the dead in a tomb was not mistaken in her hope, crying: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Like a newly cast and lustrous mirror reflecting the radiance of divine effulgence, O Virgin, thou didst receive it as it came upon thee. Blessed art Thou among women, O all-immaculate Lady!
Ode VIII, Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Today the universal festival of the martyrs of Christ hath dawned for us, illumining with the grace of miracles those who approach with faith and spiritual joy, and who cry out with love: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
The confessors of Thy divinity, O Master, easily abolished all the ungodliness of the tyrants, undaunted by the threats of the evil-minded; and, strengthened by faith, they cried aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The all-wise confessors, standing up for the divine dogmas, vanquishing hordes of the enemy, and slain by the sword, manifestly and most gloriously have shown themselves to be all-splendidly victorious; for being felled, they triumphed over the adversary.
Thou hast given birth to Christ Who is seen to be in two natures, manifestly bearing a single hypostasis composed of both divinity and manhood, truly essentially joined together in a unity. Wherefore, we bless thee, O Mary, Bride of God.
Ode IX, Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from thee the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who hath joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify thee, * O Theotokos.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Following the godly and divinely inspired words of Christ, O divinely radiant confessors, rejoicing, ye took the cross upon your shoulders, following in the steps of the Bestower of life, O right glorious ones.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Entering with gladness into the whole light of the Trinity, the valiant confessors receive honors for their struggles, being deemed worthy to dwell with the ranks of the incorporeal ones.
Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.
Not in a mirror do ye now behold your hopes of things divine, O confessors of Christ: rather, O most honored and most wise crown-bearers, ye behold the beauty of truth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Manifestly shown to be equal in number with the supremely divine Trinity, O confessors of godly eloquence, ye are illumined with the radiance thereof, for, having suffered for the Trinity’s sake, ye have now received life incorruptible.
O Virgin Mother, The Word Who hath adorned all things, and Who desired to come in the flesh, made His abode within Thee, and He found thee alone to be more holy than all others, and truly revealed thee to be the Theotokos.
Troparion, in Tone V: O Christ God, Thou hast given us an impregnable rampart * in the miracles of Thy holy martyrs. * Through their supplications destroy Thou the councils of the heathen * and strengthen the scepters of kingdoms, ** in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.