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Apolytikion

In thy patience thou hast won thy reward, O righteous Father. Thou didst persevere unceasingly in prayer;

thou didst love the poor, and didst provide for them in all things. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God, O

blessed and godly-minded Samson, that our souls be

saved.

Kontakion

We come together, praising thee with hymns and

psalms, O righteous one, as an unrivalled physician and

as an intercessor pleasing unto God; O divinely-wise Samson, ever having recourse to thy godly shrine for

help, we glorify Christ Jesus, Who gave thee the grace

to work thy cures.

 

SAMPSON THE INN-KEEPER OF CONSTANTINOPLE

June 27th

Του Οσίου Πατρός ημών Σαμψών του Ξενοδόχου

 

He was the son of rich and illustrious Roman parents. In his youth he received an excellent education, he studied the medical arts, and doctored the sick without charge. After the death of his parents St. Sampson generously distributed alms and set his slaves free, preparing himself to go into the wilderness.

With this intent in mind he soon journeyed from Rome to the East. But the Lord directed him onto a different path, that of service to neighbor, and so St. Sampson came to Constantinople. Settling into a small house, the saint began to take in homeless wanderers, the poor and the sick, and he attended to them. The Lord blessed the efforts of St. Sampson and endowed him with the power of wonderworking. He healed the sick not only through being a skilled physician, but also as a bearer of the grace of God. News of St. Sampson spread abroad. The patriarch heard of his great virtue and ordained him to the holy priesthood.

It was revealed to the grievously ill Emperor Justinian (527-565), that he could receive healing only through St. Sampson. In praying, the saint put his hand on the afflicted area, and Justinian was healed. In gratitude the emperor wanted to reward his healer with silver and gold, but the saint refused and instead asked Justinian to build a home for the poor and the sick. The emperor readily fulfilled his request.

St. Sampson devoted the rest of his life to serving his neighbor. He survived into old age and after a short illness he departed peacefully to the Lord. The saint was buried at the church of the holy Martyr Mocius, and many healings were effected at his grave. His hospice remained open, and the saint did not cease to care for the suffering. He appeared twice to a negligent worker of the hospice and upbraided him for his laziness. At the request of an admirer of St. Sampson the hospice was transformed into a church, and beside it a new edifice was built for the homeless. During the time of a powerful fire at Constantinople the flames did not touch the hospice of St. Sampson. Through his intercession a heavy rain quenched the fire.

 

Source: OCA