Soldier Lovers -- Ss. Sergius & Bacchus, Martyrs

Saints Sergius & Bacchus

• Prayers of Saint Sergius & Saint Bacchus the Martyrs
• The Monastery Church of Saints Sergius and Bachus
• Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Catholic Encyclopedia)
• The Passion of Saints Serge and Bacchus

SABMA sends our heart felt shout-outs and best wishes to Ss. Sergius & Bacchus Catholic Apostolic Church (CACINA) here in Queens, NYC as they meet and greet at their new location this year. The congregation worships and fellowships every Sunday at the Rainbow Community Center, 30-74 Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens and will celebrate their patronal feast there this Sunday with a Solemn High Mass at 12 Noon.

The Mission Parish is served by Fr. Denis Couture. The associate pastors are Fr. Frank Betancourt, Deacon John Azzali and Deacon Dante Tarantini. These brother clergymen are also from Queens, NYC and members of the Franciscan Community of Reconciliation. (CACINA's American history began in 1945 in Brazil via RC Bishop Carlos Duarte-Costa (d. March 26, 1961)

PS: Today is also the Feast of the Holy Rosary which commemorates the victorious naval Battle of Naupactos by European Christians over the Islamic Ottaman's (Turkish) fleet at Lepanto in 1571 AD. In 1571 the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when faithful Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great Battle of Lepanto occurred on this ancient Feast of the Soldier Lovers, Ss. Sergius & Bacchus, Martyrs, October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islamism*

This other holy icon of Ss. Sergius, Bacchus & Justina was written by Michael Damaskenos and commemorates the victory of the European forces over those hordes of savage Moslem Turks who almost overran the continent. The figures are depicted in full length, treading on a three-headed dragon. (From the Byzantine Museum of Panaghia Antivouniotissa, Kerkyra, Greece.)

* Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna. Pope Innocent XI united Christendom against the ominous attack of Mohammedanism. A great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians. On September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy Rosary.