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Our Panagia
ofDecaniTheSynaxisoftheHolyNewMartyrsofSerbiaWhomtheHolyChurchCelebratesonAugust30
TheHolyNewMartyrsofSerbiaDuringtheSecondWorldWar(19391945),
theUstashi government ofRomanCatholicCroatia, in alliancewith
theNazi
Government of Germany, and with the approval and support of the
papal
hierarchy,undertookanunspeakablybitterpersecutionoftheOrthodoxSerbian
peoplewiththeaimeitherofconvertingthemtoPapism,ordrivingthemaway,
orkillingthem.TheOrthodoxSerbswhowouldnotacceptPapismwereputinto
extermination camps; somewere tortured inhumanelyby knifing;
somewere
found
with
their
eyes
put
out,
their
noses
and
ears
cut
off,
and
fires
having
been
lightedupon their chests;wholevillageswere slaughtered, the
childrenbeing
impaled on stakes; unbornbabeswere slain in
theirmotherswombs;many
perishedincampsfromhungerandsickness;manythousandswereherdedlike
beasts and burned in their churches, which were destroyed with
their
monasteriesandhomes.Over700,000SerbianOrthodoxChristianssufferedcruel
The Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
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The Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs of Serbia
The Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
martyrdom during this period, includingmany of the clergy and
defenseless
womenandchildren.
Text:TheGreatHorologion1997TheHolyTransfigurationMonasteryBrookline,MassachusettsIconbyPhotiosKontoglou
DismissalHymnoftheMartyrs.FirstToneThesoldiersstandingguard
HEscarletofyourblood,shedforChristssake,OMartyrs,dothornament
theChurchlikefinelinenandpurple.Thecrimsonseedoffaithissownwith
genrous hand. Lo, the rushings of this rivermake glad Gods City
and her
enemiesaretherebydrownedinconfusion.OSerbia,exultwithjoy!
T
KontakionoftheMartyrs.FourthTone
OnthisdayThouhastappearedIKEafirmamentofstarsbrilliantwithglorydidtheseholyMartyrsshine
amidstanationmostperverse.Letusbeseechthemwithfervornowthat
theyperserveusinOrthodoxPiety.
L
Our Theotokos Prayingfor us
