Today, according to the calendar, those who celebrate today are:
- Arkadius, Arkadis, Arcadia, Arkada
- Libertus, Lymberis, Limberis, Limberios, Liberis
- Saint, Saintess
- Fanouria, Fani, Fanoula, Fanourios, Fanouris, Fanis, Nouris
Saint Fanourios the New Martyr, the Great Martyr
According to the synaxarist, Saint Fanourios is one of the most beloved saints among the Greek people, who honor and celebrate his memory every year on August 27.
This beloved saint could undoubtedly be characterized as a gift from God, for he was unknown for many centuries. He became known from the accidental discovery of his icon in the 14th century AD in Rhodes, when they were excavating old houses in the southern part of the old wall. There, an ancient church was found with many destroyed icons, including the well-preserved icon on which the then Metropolitan of Rhodes, Neilos II the Diaporinos (1355 – 1369 AD), read the name of the Saint “ὁ ἅγιος Φανῶ”.
In the icon, the Saint is depicted as a young soldier, holding in his right hand a cross, on which there was a lit candle, and around the icon were the 12 tortures he endured.
In these, the Martyr was presented:
- standing among soldiers and being judged by the ruler
- being struck by them with stones to the mouth and head
- being flogged again by them, stretched out on the ground
- sitting naked and being scraped on his body with iron claws
- being confined in prison
- being tortured in front of the ruler’s judgment seat
- being burned on the members of his body with lit candles
- being bound to a winch and tortured
- being among wild beasts unharmed
- lying on the ground and having his body pressed by a large stone
- being inside a pagan temple holding lit coals in his palms, and the devil fleeing into the air with lamentations
- standing in a fiery furnace with his hands raised in supplication.
The ancient church where the icon was found was rebuilt, after many attempts, by Neilos, who also dedicated it in the name of Saint Fanourios, who apparently also composed his Akathist.
One of the many miracles of Saint Fanourios is the one narrated next. In those years, the Venetians ruled Crete, who did not allow the presence of an Orthodox Bishop on the island. Four men traveled from Crete to Koroni in the Peloponnese to receive ordination, and on their return, they were captured by the Saracens, who killed one and took the other three to Palatia (Miletus).
When their spiritual father, named Jonah, learned of this event, he traveled to Rhodes and negotiated their release with prince George Petranis, who had trade relations with the Turks of Palatia. However, due to military unrest in the area, the effort to have them released became more difficult. Jonah, following ecclesiastical custom, visited the blessed Neilos, who spoke to him about Saint Fanourios and his miracles, urging him to invoke his assistance and help regarding the problem he was facing.
Indeed, the priest acted as the Metropolitan urged him and after a few days, a message arrived from Palatia that the developments were positive. The captive priests were miraculously released, and their spiritual father Jonah, out of gratitude to the Great Martyr, upon returning, brought to Crete a copy of his icon and subsequently celebrated his memory festively.
The love and honor with which Saint Fanourios is surrounded has led to the creation of various beautiful and pious traditions among our people, among which is the festive custom of the “Vasilopita of Saint Fanourios,” or “Fanouropita,” which is made on the eve of his feast.
This pie is usually small and round, like a small loaf, distributed to the faithful and is made to reveal some lost item or some lost matter, or even to reveal health to a sick person. There is also a tradition that this pie commemorates his mother, though it is unknown for what reason.
Akathist
Ἦχος δ’. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε
A heavenly hymn is performed on earth splendidly, a terrestrial celebration, is now joyfully celebrated, the assembly of angels, from above they sing hymns praising your feats, below the Church, the heavenly glory, which you found with pains and feats, to you, O glorious Fanourios.