Lives of the Saints

Hieromartyr Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

Hieromartyr Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

Hieromartyr Hierotheus, the first Bishop of Athens, was a member of the Athenian Areopagos and was converted to Christ by the Apostle Paul together with Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3). The saint was consecrated by the Apostle Paul to the rank of bishop. According to Tradition, Bishop…

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Gurias, first Archbishop of Kazan, and Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Gurias, first Archbishop of Kazan, and Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver

The Uncovering of the relics of Saint Gurias, First Archbishop of Kazan, and Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver, occurred at Kazan in the year 1595. During the construction of a new stone church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord at the Savior-Transfiguration monastery, which had been…

Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Kazan

Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Kazan

Today the Church honors the holy hierarchs of Kazan: Bishop Barsanuphius of Tver (April 11 and October 4) Archbishop Herman (June 23, September 25, and November 6) Archbishop Gurias (June 20, October 4, and December 5).

Right-believing Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich of Novgorod

Right-believing Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich of Novgorod

The holy right-believing Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich of Novgorod, the Wonderworker, was the eldest son of Great Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and was born in the year 1020. At age fourteen, his father made him administrator of Novgorod. The military commander Vyshata and the holy Bishop Menignus…

Venerable Ammon the recluse of the Kiev Caves

Saints Ammon the Recluse of the Kiev Caves, Far Caves, was given the title “Lover of Labor.” The saint went to Athos and to Jerusalem. Upon his return, he became famous for his exploits, and he was an image of holy life for the brethren. He was buried in the Far Caves. His memory is…

Martyrs Gaius, Faustus, Eusebius, and Chaeremon, of Alexandria

Saints Gaius, Faustus, Eusebius, and Chaeremon were deacons and disciples of Saint Dionysius of Alexandria (October 5). They were arrested and banished from from Alexandria along with with Saint Dionysius. They were tortured and beheaded during the persecution of Valerian (253-259).

Martyr Peter of Capitolias

Saint Peter was born and raised in the city of Capitolias (an ancient city in eastern Jordan, on the way to Damascus), and he was both wise and very prudent. He was married with three children, and after his wife died he became a monk. He was ordained to the holy priesthood by the Bishop of Busra…

Martyr Domnina with her daughters of Syria

Saint Domnina was a woman with two daughters named Verine (Saint John Chrysostom calls her Vernike, or Berenice) and Prosdoce. Leaving their home and family, they settled in Edessa on the plain of Mesopotamia. Berenice’s father and her husband, who were pagans, took the women to Hieropolis in…

Venerable Ammon

Saint Ammon of Egypt was raised in Christian piety. He entered into marriage at the urging of his parents, but by agreement with his spouse preserved his virginity and they lived as brother and sister. The spiritual spouses pursued asceticism in fasting, prayer and joint effort for twenty years.…

Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt

Venerable Paul the Simple of Egypt

Saint Paul the Simple of Egypt also lived in the fourth century and was called the Simple for his simplicity of heart and gentleness. He had been married, but when he discovered his wife’s infidelity, he left her and went into the desert to Saint Anthony the Great (January 17). Paul was…

Martyr Callisthene and her father Audactus of Ephesus

The holy martyr Callisthene was born in Ephesus, and her father was the eparch Audactus. She was to marry the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311), but her father would not consent to the match because the emperor was a pagan. Therefore, Audactus was deprived of his wealth and position, and was…

Saint Stephen Stiljianovitch of Serbia

Saint Stephen Stiljianovitch of Serbia

Saint Stephen Stiljianovich of Serbia was born into a pious Christian family in the Serbian city of Zhupa (south of Zakholmya). During this time Serbia was often subjected to invasions by the Turks, who devastated the land. Saint Stephen defended his native land, did military service in the army of…

Martyr Evdemoz, Catholicos of Georgia

Martyr Evdemoz, Catholicos of Georgia

Saint Evdemoz led the Georgian Orthodox Church in the mid-17th century during the reign of King Rostom-Khan (1632-1658), a Georgian who had converted to Islam. Having murdered King Luarsab II of Kartli and chased out King Teimuraz I of Kakheti, the Persian shah Abbas I had declared Rostom-Khan…

Saint Elena of Serbia

Saint Elena of Serbia

Princess Elena was the wife of the Despot Stephen Å tiljanović who is also venerated as a Saint. After his death around 1515, she fled to Germany in order to escape from the Turks. Later, a light appeared at his grave by night, which led to the discovery of his holy relics. The Saint's body was…

Saints Jonah and Nectarius of Kazan

Saints Jonah and Nectarius of Kazan were called John and Nestor Zastolsky before they received monastic tonsure. When Saint Gurias (December 5 ) was sent to the newly established Kazan diocese, the boyar John Zastolsky went with him. Under the spiritual guidance of Saint Gurias, John led a virtuous…