Greek Orthodox Icon of St. Procopius the Great

Holy & Great Martyr Procopius Please do not deep-link to any of our icons.

July 8th
Troparion (Tone 5)
Heaven caught thee and drew thee to piety, and like Paul thou didst gladly follow Christ, O Procopius, adornment of martyrs. Through the might of the Cross thou didst excel in contest and put Belial to shame, from whose malice preserve those who lovingly praise thee.

Neanias was born to a Christian father and a pagan mother in Jerusalem. His father died while he was very young and his mother indoctrinated him in Roman idolatry. Diocletian himself recruited him for his army. At the beginning of Diocletian's persecution of Christians, he was ordered to go to Alexandria to exterminate the Christians there. On the way there, at 3AM, he was awakened by an earthquake, and the Lord Jesus appeared to him and said, "Neanias, where are you going, and against whom are you rebelling?" Neanias answered, "Who are you, Lord? I cannot recognise You." Then a bright and shining Cross with the appearance of crystal lit up the sky. A voice from the Cross said, "I am Jesus, the crucified Son of God. By this sign that you have seen, overcome your enemies and My peace will be with you." So Neanias changed course and successfully defended Jerusalem against the Agarians. He entered the city and told his mother that he was a Christian. At his trial, he cast his sword and military belt before the judge to show that he was a soldier only of Christ the King. He was imprisoned and tortured. Christ Himself appeared to him in prison to baptize him and give him the name Procopius. 12 women came to the window of his cell to confess that they were also servants of Christ. They were thrown into the same prison. Saint Procopius catechised them and prepared them to receive the crown of martyrdom. Procopius's mother also came to the faith and was arrested. Procopius encouraged each of them to endure to the end to receive the crown. All 13 were martyred for their faith. Finally Procopius was beheaded on July 8, 303, after facing East and offering prayers for the needy and for the Church. Thus he was the coach and "cheerleader" of martyrs. This is why he is invoked in the wedding service to encourage married people to endure to the end to receive the crown.

This Icon of Saint Procopios is from the south choir wall in Chilandar Monastery Church, Mt. Athos. It was painted in 1319.

Order # pdg-11