Saint
Marcellus
Venerable Marcellus, Abbot of the Monastery called the “Unsleeping Ones” († 485)
New Calendar December 29 Old Calendar January 11
Why they are a saint
He was born to a wealthy family in Syria at the beginning of the fifth century. Early in life he saw the futility of worldly things, gave away all of his wealth, and went to Ephesus, where he earned his living as a scribe. There he was schooled in the virtues by his fellow-worker Promotus, a slave who distributed most of his earnings to the poor; after the day’s work was done, Promotus would take Marcellus to pray all night in the churches and monasteries.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Marcellus as a patron when they bear the name Marcellus at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 29. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Marcellus, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.