Lives of the Saints

Venerable Xenia of Rome, and her two female servants

Venerable Xenia of Rome, and her two female servants

Saint Xenia of Rome, in the world Eusebia, was the only daughter of an eminent Roman senator. From her youth she loved God, and wished to avoid the marriage arranged for her. She secretly left her parental home with two servants devoted to her, and set sail upon a ship. Through the Providence of…

Saint Gerasimus, Bishop of Perm

Saint Gerasimos (GerĂ¡simos), Bishop of Great Perm and Ust-Vymsk, was the third Bishop of the newly-enlightened Zyryani people, and a worthy successor to Saint Stephen, the Enlightener of Perm (April 26). He was elevated to the See of Perm after 1416. Although he lived far from the capital city,…

Martyr John of Kazan

Martyr John of Kazan

The Martyr John of Kazan suffered for Christ in the city of Kazan on January 24, 1529. During the reign of Great Prince Basil the Tatars swooped down upon Nizhni Novgorod. Many of the inhabitants were taken into captivity and brought to Kazan. Also among their number was the fearless John. When…

Martyr Babylas of Sicily, and his two disciples: Timothy and Agapius

The Holy Martyrs Babylas of Sicily and his two disciples Timothy and Agapius lived during the third century on the outskirts of Rome. Saint Babylas was born in the city of Reupolium into a rich family, and he was raised by his parents in the Christian Faith. While still in his youth he abandoned…

Saint Macedonius the Hermit of Syria

Saint Macedonius, a Syrian hermit, lived during the end of the fourth century and the beginning of the fifth. When he first embarked upon the path of asceticism, he led the life of a wanderer, roaming through the cities of Phoenicia, Cilicia, and Syria. Afterward, he spent forty-five years in the…

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios the Persian

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios the Persian

The uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios of Persia (January 22) took place in 638, ten years after his martyrdom. There are three traditions regarding his relics. According to the first, which is also accepted by the English historian Saint Bede (May 27), the relics were transferred to…

Venerable Dionysius of Olympus

Venerable Dionysius of Olympus

Saint Dionysius of Olympus was born into a family of poor parents in the village of Platina. When he was an infant, the Cross shone over his crib. Fond of prayer and reading spiritual books from his youth, Saint Dionysius decided to become a monk after the death of his parents. With this aim he…

Venerable Philotheus, founder of Philotheou Monastery, Mount Athos

Saint Philotheus, the founder of the Philotheou Monastery on Mount Athos, lived toward the end of the tenth century.

Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg

Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg

Saint Xenia lived during the eighteenth century, but little is known of her life or of her family. She passed most of her life in Petersburg during the reigns of the empresses Elizabeth and Catherine II. Xenia Grigorievna Petrova was the wife of an army officer, Major Andrew Petrov. After the…

Martyrs Theodotion, Paul, and Pausirios

The Holy Martyrs and brothers according to the flesh Pausirius, Paul, and Theodotion lived in Egypt during the third century. Pausirius and Paul confessed their faith in Christ and suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (284-305). Theodotion converted to Christianity after witnessing their martyrdom.…

Saint Philon, Bishop of Kolpasteia, Crete

Saint Philon, Bishop of Kolpasteia (Crete) He died peacefully in the fifth century. He wrote a commentary on the Pentateuch, and on the Song of Songs.

Hieromartyr Philippicus and Martyr Barsimos

The Hieromartyr Philippicus the Presbyter and the Martyr Barsimos and two brothers were beheaded for their confession of faith in Christ.