Deacon
Saint Roman, originally from Syria, served God from a young age, leading a virgin and chaste life. Initially, he was a sacristan in Berytus, and later, during the reign of Emperor Anastasius, he withdrew to Constantinople, where he served at the Church of St. Kira. He lived a life of fasting and prayer, not knowing letters, but surpassing the wise scribes with his good deeds. Patriarch Euphemius loved him for his virtuous life and gave him an equal share with the clergy, which aroused envy among them. One day, on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, the clergy, wishing to shame him, forced him to sing on the ambo. Roman, feeling humiliated, fell prostrate before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and, praying, fell asleep. In his sleep, the Theotokos appeared to him, placed a scroll in his mouth, and commanded him to eat it. After this, he awoke with the gift of understanding Scripture and, rejoicing, went to the church. Singing the kontakion, he amazed everyone with his singing and wisdom. The Patriarch appointed him as a deacon, and he became known as the composer of many kontakions for the feasts. Having lived a righteous life, Saint Roman departed to the eternal abodes and now sings the thrice-holy hymn to God with the angelic hosts.
