Gelasios the Mime

Holy Martyr Gelasios the actor, who believed while mocking baptism.

Gelasios was an actor in Heliopolis who, mocking the Christian mysteries on stage, was plunged into a tub of water in imitation of baptism. Coming out, he declared that he had seen the glory of God and was now a Christian.

Enraged, the pagan crowd dragged him out and stoned him, and he received the crown of martyrdom in the third century.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Gelasios the Mime is commemorated on February 27. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 12 (a day earlier in leap years) of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on February 27

• 

  Prokopios Dekapolis

  Venerable, Προκόπιος

  Venerable Procopios of the Dekapolis.

  Name days: Prokopios, Prokopis, Procopius

• Ephraim of Katounakia

  Venerable, Εφραίμ ο Κατουνακιώτης

  Venerable Ephraim of Katounakia, Athonite elder and disciple of St. Joseph the Hesychast.

• Elias of Trebizond

  Martyr, Ηλίας ο εκ Τραπεζούντος

  New Martyr Elias of Trebizond, son of a priest, hanged for his faith.

• Thalelaios the Hermit

  Venerable, Θαλλέλαιος

  Venerable Thalelaios of Cilicia, hermit near Gabala in Syria.

  Name days: Thalelaios, Thaleleos

• Raphael of Brooklyn

  Hierarch, Ραφαήλ Μπρούκλυν

  St. Raphael Hawaweeny, Bishop of Brooklyn, shepherd of the Orthodox in America.

• Stephen of Constantinople

  Saint, Στέφανος

  Righteous Stephen of Constantinople, founder of a hospice for the aged.